Bamana Bambara JO Elephant Head OLD African Mask Mali

An Important Old Bamana Bambara Jo Society Sama Kun Elephant Head Mask
Antique African Art - Tribal Sculpture - Mali

Collected from the: Bamana Bambara peoples of the Bougouni region of Mali, West Africa
Material: Hardwood, Cowrie shell eyes, canvas, fiber, pigment, encrustation from ritual libations
Period: Early to mid 20th century
Dimensions: 15.5" height, 7.5" width, 7" depth; weight is 5.50 pounds
Condition: Exquisite! This important specimen hails from a prestigious Houston collection. Superb signs of age and authentic wear from extensive tribal use, no damage or repair, wear at interior, back rim and holes indicative of prolonged tribal use. Heavily encrusted surface indicative of sacrificial libations along with accumulated minute debris of a long life. Burnished ever-so-slightly oily surface condition at interior and back rim w human skin would have contacted the piece suggests frequent handling. Clearly this esteemed early Jo Sama Kun benefited from repeated annual ritual cleansing. Make special note of the serene facial expression and superior surface condition - an absolutely stunning specimen !

Please to fully appreciate this important old masque!