Mask – Iron – Bamana – Mali

Bamana Mask in iron. Bamana forgers are structured into autonomous confraternities, they are famous and respected. In fact, they represent a cast of their own, because of their secret, or even chemical, knowledges regarding the elaboration of metal, an essential factor of progress in the evolution of men. They are often soothsayers or healers. All of the pieces crafted in metal, iron or bronze are provided with great powers. This is why iron masks are usually reserved for chiefs, as a sign of their authority, even though these are not intended for specific rituals. This is a beautiful item, with an elongated face, an internalised expression, it represents an ancestral spirit. Wonderful patina, marked by rust.

Provenance: former private collection from the Netherlands

Stand is included in this lot.