Information
Wood with a thick, dark coating
H 23 cm
H 23 cm
Mask.
Sculpture carved in an archaic style with a realistic nose which, from the base, continues with a raised midline to the front where a ritual iron tool is fixed. Its protruding, circular eyes are highlighted by metallic disks fixed with a resin mixture. Its large, half-closed mouth allows a glimpse at a row of teeth – the tips of a bird’s feathers – which sprout from the upper lip. Its beard is a mixture of skin and local fabrics which makes this mask seem fantastical and surreal.Its long use, connected to divinatory rituals, has left clear signs of magic substances on the surface of the wood.
Provenance
- Maria Wyss Gallery antique collection (Basle);
- Former private collection (Lugano);
- Former private collection (Lugano);
Condition report
To request a Condition Report, please contact arteafricana@finarte.it
The department will provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that what Finarte declares with respect to the state of conservation of the objects corresponds only to a qualified opinion and that we are not professional conservators or restorers.
We urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. We always suggest prospective buyers to inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition during the exhibition days as indicated in the catalog.