Senufo kpelie mask, bird on head Start Price USD 290.00 Current Price USD 290.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, July 20, 2008 End Time Sunday, July 27, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Senufo kpelie mask, bird on head' Description Senufo kpelie mask, bird on head, African Artifact Type of Object: Poro Society Mask (kpelie). Ethnic Group: Senufo Country of Origin: Cote d'Ivoire. Materials: wood and pigments. Approximate Age: Mid 20th Century Dimensions: Height is 12 inches. Overall Condition: Very Good. Used. Damage, Repair: None Provenance: None Additional Information: A stunning example of one the most famous of all African masks. It is thinly-carved and not too busy, with a lush brown patina. The top of the mask features a charming bird effigy, the most familiar of Senufo totem animals. "Kpelie" masks are danced during funeral ceremonies of elder members of the secret men's society known as "Poro." The Poro, which is an important social force for numerous West African societies, regulates most of the ceremonial and religious activities in the village, and is thus a unifying, if somewhat strict, source of order and discipline. The various stylistic components of the kpelie mask symbolize bush animals important to Senufo mythology. The horns, which extend outward from the mask represent the speed and elusiveness of the bush antelope, the power of the buffalo, and the hornbill, a bird respected throughout Africa for its "wisdom." The Senufo are one of the dominant cultures in Cote d'Ivoire, and they extend across the border into Mali. They have interminged with other peoples like the Bambara and Lobi, so some of their artworks show a combination of styles. The Senufo carve numerous male and female figures in a variety of positions, as well as the many fine masks. Most adhere rather strictly to a known set of proportions, but some can be quite abstract. It is thought that most important Senufo sculptures are produced by "professional" carvers known to each village, and this accounts for the somewhat standardized artistic elements found in their ritual objects. Recommended Reading: For similar examples, and more information, see ART OF AFRICA by Kerchache et al.**024768** 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!