Mossi mask
Mossi people – Burkina Faso – 19th Century – Wood, pigments, fibers
65,5 cm
Provenance:
Alain de Monbrison, Paris
Deborah Glasser, Boston
Mossi sculptors are known for their polychrome masks used during festivals and to protect crops. These masks, which also serve a totemic function, are treasured when not in use, and libations are offered to them in exchange for their protection and help.
This type of mask, called karanga, is found mainly in the north of the country. It features a stylized round-shaped face, crowned by a large tablet, a totemic animal or a human statue symbolizing an important ancestor. The passage of time has caused the loss of this representation.
English (United States) 
French