TERA Gallery - African Art and Antiquities "Altering The Way You View The World Of Art" |
Type of Object:
Ethnic Group:
Material:
Dimensions:
Reference:
- Dogon Iron Mask
- This is an iron mask-like sculpture. These masks are
created by blacksmiths, working them into shapes that could
be worn, carried, or kept in ritual locations.
- Today there is no active evidence of these masks being
used. In fact, little is known about forged-iron masks among
the Bamana or Dogon or Senufo, or any of the Western
Sudanic groups.
However, it must be kept in mind of the importance of iron
and the magical and powerful role of the blacksmith in
Bamana society when considering any object of iron from
them.
It should be noted that the blacksmith-artist made the mask
to represent a female with the typical hairstyle of a mature
Bamana woman. This mask does indicate the skill of the
blacksmith in forging a mask out of iron, a medium much
more difficult to work than wood.
- The Bambara are the largest ethnic group within Mali. They
strongly uphold their ancient tribal customs against Islam
and Christianity, although recently the Muslim faith has been
spreading among them. The Bambara excelled in three
types of sculpture: stylized antelope headdresses, statues,
and masks.
- This mask presenting human features is different from the
mainstream of Bambara masks and cannot be linked to
specific society or ceremony.
Ethnic Group:
- Bamana Society
Dogon Society
- Mali
Material:
- Iron
Dimensions:
- 10" high x 6" wide x 1.5
Reference:
