Mask - Wood - Bwa - Burkina Faso

A male Bwa butterfly mask, Burkina Faso, of highly abstract form, wide-spread wings decorated on each side of the front with triangular geometric patterns, the conical face with circular eyes and a rhomboid, protruding mouth and "nose"; fine aged patina with black and white pigments, water damages on each side of the mask; remarkable the asymmetry of the wings, which underlines its "flying character" as the last owner - M. Bassirou -told me in Ougadougou 2010. Roy (1987: 270) notes: "Bwa wooden masks represent a number of characters in the myths of their families and clans. Masks represent numerous animals including the antelope, bush buffalo, monkey, the crocodile and fish of several types and insects including the butterfly. The bird masks and butterflies are the most abstract, consisting of a broad, horizontal plank, decorated with large concentric patterns. The mouth projects from the center and there are circles representing the patterns on the butterfly's wings. " This item is exhibited during the running Catawiki auction in the Wolfgang Jaenicke Gallery Berlin. The new owner has to pick it up personally. We look forward to your visit in our Gallery