Early 20th C. African Bamana Wood & Cowrie Ntomo Mask

Western Africa, Mali, Bamako region, Bamana people, ca. early 20th century CE. A wonderful Ntomo Society mask carved from hardwood that presents an expressive visage complete with rectangular eyes and mouth. The ovoid face is densely adorned with mud set with rows of cowrie snail shells that radiate out from the brow and envelop the nose and upper head. Seven columnar horns project from behind the guise and bear remains of the original cowrie shell placements, and petite red abrus seeds accentuate the white-and-brown presentation. Ntomo masks like this example - with seven horns - are representative of the childhood androgyny that a male initiate leaves behind after the final initiation task of circumcision. Size: 5" W x 19.25" H (12.7 cm x 48.9 cm)

For another example of a Ntomo mask covered in cowrie snail shells, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1978.412.368.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection

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#155552
Condition Report: Losses to several cowrie shells as shown. Minor abrasions to face, projections, peripheries, and verso, with light encrustations, and light discoloration to one side of face. Nice earthen deposits and wonderful patina throughout.