Mossi Mask, Burkina Faso

This ancient tribal mask is characterized by a zoomorphic figure with large protruding eyes, once punctuated with red berries, a frontal ridge and a large toothed diamond-shaped mouth. The protruding chin allows the dancer to hold the mask under the costume. The mask is incised with geometric patterns, enhanced with black, white and red pigments, which symbolize social and religious laws. None of these patterns are decorative. Geometric shapes belong to a kind of language, which can be read by any initiate. This kind of mask represents the spirits of the bush always closely associated with the spirits of the ancestors and can take on human or animal characteristics, to protect the family and the community. It went out during ritual dances and was worn by members of the village equipped with full plant fiber outfits that covered the body, but they also appeared at the funerals of elders and to celebrate the passage of initiatory ranks.
Magnificent patina of use, small lack of pigments on the bottom of the ridge.

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Origin
Ex collection from the south of France