A Mau Koma Ba mask

A Mau Koma Ba mask from the Ivory Coast, human features with narrow pierced eyes and a straight nose, high forehead with horns on it and zoomorphic ears, instead of a mouth there is a long "beak" that is used to hold the mask. Dark patina with light sacrificial encrustations.

The Koma men's associations is active not only among the Mau, but spreads as far as the Wobe and into the northern Dan region. Koma Ba masks were given sacrificial libations intended to combat destructive forces. As these consisted primarily of dog's blood, a heavy encrustation built up over the years. The mask's wearers were protected from malevolent forces by horns filled with medicinal / magical substances on the mask's forehead. Due to the great weigth of such masks, the dancers gripped them by the snoutlike handle and held them in front of their face.
Lit.: "African Masks from the Barbier-Mueller Collection", Geneva.

600 - 700,- Euro

Height: 53 cm
Weight: 2,1 kg