Baule helmet mask EXTRAORDINARY TWO HEADS Start Price USD 2,200.00 Current Price USD 2,200.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, September 28, 2008 End Time Wednesday, October 08, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Baule helmet mask EXTRAORDINARY TWO HEADS' Description Baule helmet mask EXTRAORDINARY TWO HEADS Type of Object: Helmet maskEthnic Group: BauleCountry of Origin: Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)Materials: Wood and pigmentApproximate Age: Mid 20th CenturyDimensions: Height is 25 inches.Overall Condition: Good Damage, Repair: old crack with repair in the human figure at the top, holes, wear, chipsAdditional Information: This impressive carved mask comes from the Baule of the Ivory Coast. This is an extraordinary mask composed with human and animal images and carved with great virtuosity. This mask is similar in style to the Senufo masks called Waniugo. Helmet masks such as this are known as Bo nun amuin among the Baule. But they present features similar to the masks Botiwa or kloro (see Vogel, p. 212). They are composed of zoomorphic elements taken from animals prominent in everyday life or significant in Baule religion or mythology. Bo nun amuin mask dances to honor visiting dignitaries and during funerals honoring senior men and former dancers of masks. Though identified with the sacred forest and the men’s society they do not appear to have a well-defined religious or ritual function. However they serve to protect the village from external danger or war. In any case they are not to be seen by women during their appearance. This mask was blackened and the remains of encrusted material, paint, and pigment are still on it. Bo nun amuin masks are worn over the head with the dancer looking out of one of the animal’s mouth. A loose costume of raffia or woven grasses that covers the body would have been attached around the bottom of the mask. The details of the elephant’s ears are particularly well carved and were highlighted in yellow. The symbolism of this mask can be read with a man and a leopard at the top most probably the symbol of the chieftaincy power, force and strength. It could have also served as the family crest or totem of the ruling family. Among the Baule the leopard and the elephant are powerful symbols of force. The two heads with open mouths show the elephant heads that raise their tusks and five horns to the back as sign of their strength. Human faces surrounding the base and both sides of the masks may represent the community under the protection of the chief and the divinity that this mask represents. The imagery and style of carving and obvious wear leads to the conclusion that it is a well used helmet mask with some age. It is in excellent condition with particularly interesting symbolism. The uniqueness of the mask with its size and quality of carving deserves a home in a major collection for it is a rare and unique example of Baule masks! Recommended Reading: Vogel's BAULE-AFRICAN ART WESTERN EYESDescription written by Niangi Batulukisi, Ph.D.**033145** 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!