Dogon mask Mali Huge Crest Start Price USD 650.00 Current Price USD 650.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, July 17, 2008 End Time Thursday, July 24, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Dogon mask Mali Huge Crest' Description SUPERB Dogon mask Mali African Art Huge Crest Type of Object: Huge Face Mask Ethnic Group: Dogon Country of Origin: Mali Materials: Wood, Cowry Shells, Remnants of Leather Lacing and Pigment. Approximate Age: 19th or 20th Century Dimensions: Height is 29 Inches. Overall Condition: Good. Old aged layers of patina. Damage, Repair: Old arrested bug damage to crest and inside of mask.   Additional Information:  This particular mask has great design, good carving and some apparent age, all of which identify it as a classic example of Dogon art. There are few places in Sub-Saharan Africa where wooden carvings last for an extended period of time for the ravages of time, nature, and use usually give wooden art forms a relatively short life span when compared with baked clay, stone or metal work. However among the Dogon people of Mali there are wooden carvings including headrests and figures that are hundreds of years old. These are often found in burial sites in caves high up on the cliff face along the Bandiagara escarpment where burials took place. That this mask is an old carving is obvious, how old will depend upon scientific testing. A mask close in form is illustrated in the early classic Masques Dogon (p. 602) is called ‘nummo tondo’ with no real definition as to symbolism other than to a person’s elbow. However the vertical crest could also represent a knife. The carving is strong and well executed and remnants of blue and white paint are still found on the mask in a zig-zag pattern on the upright crest and in the lines on the face. Holes along the sides of the mask were to contain the cords that were used to hold the mask on the face. There is also a larger hole that had a stick thrust through it for the dancer to clamp his teeth on to support the mask when dancing. This mask was danced during funerary rituals among the Dogon who are well known for their spectacular and dramatic funerary rituals and the various masks that appear during ceremonies. The funerary rituals known as Dama are presented by initiated males, members of the men’s secret society known as Awa, who dance the masks that give life and form to Dogon myths. It was noted during research conducted in the 1930’s among the Dogon that up to seventy different masks could appear at a funeral. The dancing of the masks celebrates the life of the deceased while at the same time serves to equally guide the new ancestor out of the village so that the spirit of the deceased cannot harm the living This is a great piece with great presence and would be a strong addition to a collection. Recommended Reading: Griaule, M. Masques Dogon. 1963 DeMott, B. Dogon Masks.1979. Imperato, PJ.P., Dogon Cliff Dwellers. 1978 Ezra, K. Art of the Dogon. 1988.**018839** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!