5’ BANDA MASK NALU BAGA GUINEA AFRICA EX: SOTHEBYS ‘80

Description

This enormous headdress is a baroque composite of human and animal elements including the face of a human being and the jaw of a crocodile, whose serrated teeth are visible along the side of the mask. The top of the headdress features the horns of an antelope, the body of a serpent and the tail of a chameleon.
Worn horizontally atop the head, the mask is attached to a costume of vegetal fibersthat covers the wearer. Banda masks symbolically guarded households,
crops and even entire villages; they are the property of the Simo men’s society, which oversawand regulated fertility, initiation and harvest ceremonies.
Wood, pigment and raffia, L. 56.25” (142.8 cm)
This impressive mask measures about five feet in length.
Native repairs and minor losses; in good used condition.
BANDA MASK
Baga / Nalu People
Guinea, West Africa
Early 20th Century
Provenance: Acquired by the seller in 1980
at the Sotheby Parke-Bernet Galleries in
New York City
.
Bidders with 10 or fewer "feedback" or private comments are welcome to bid,
but must first contact seller to verify transaction or bid may be cancelled.
NOTE: This magnificent
mask
is offered at only a fraction of its
Fair Market Value due to seller's prospective re-location to smaller quarters.
Pick-up only: no shipping.
This mask is located in Merrick, New York and must be picked up within 5 business days of purchase.
Please bring the manpower and/or equipment required to transport this large and heavy mask.
pay with PayPal or cash remittance.
Bid with confidence; please review my twenty-five year 100% positive feedback record.
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