Dogon mask Mali - Lot 2

Dogon mask Mali Wood, natural pigments in red, yellow, white and blue Height : Provenance: According to oral information from the current owner, roudillon sale, thirty years ago Pierre Robin ----- Dogon Mali Mask Wood, natural pigments red, yellow, white and blue Height: Provenance: Based on oral information from the current owner, Roudillon's auction, thirty years ago Pierre Robin Used in Dogon country, this type of mask appeared at the time of the mourning ceremony called dama. It evokes the creator god Amma, signifying birth and regeneration. According to the myth, he is linked to the ancestors of Humanity. An elongated, schematized face, inscribed in a rectangular shape, enhanced with brown, black, red and blue pigments. The play of planes and volumes remarkably accentuates its expressiveness. The edges of the face are magnified by medium relief and different planes; the cheeks and eyes are recessed. The rounded forehead in relief, marked and delineated by an arch of the eyebrows drawn with a linear line, heralding the large hollows signifying the hollowed-out eyes. The fine, linear nasal bridge divides the face in two, beautifully marking the rhythm of the face as it extends from the forehead to the mouth. Two flattened sides on either side of the face, delicately decorated with colorful geometric motifs, end in triangular shapes symbolizing small horns, giving the mask a zoomorphic shape and announcing the skyward-sweeping headdress. The sophisticated yet refined headdress features a triangular openwork design, topped by a flattened rectangular crest. Rich polychromy of natural red, blue, black and white pigments, very well preserved on this fine example. Used in Dogon countries, this type of mask appeared at the time of the ceremony of mourning called dama. Evocation of the creator God Amma, meaning birth and regeneration. It would be according to the myth in connection with the ancestors of humanity. Face elongated, schematized, inscribed in a rectangular shape, enhanced with brown, black, red and blue pigments. The play of plans and volumes accentuating remarkably its expressiveness. The circumference of the face magnified by a medium relief and the differences in planes; the cheeks and eyes retreated. The rounded forehead in relief, marked and delimited by an arcade of eyebrows drawn by a linear line announcing the large cavities signifying hollow eyes. The fine, linear nasal ridge splits the face in two, admirably marking the rhythm of the face by extending from the forehead to the mouth. Two flattened sides, on both sides of the face, delicately decorated with coloured geometric motifs, ending at their ends in triangular shapes symbolizing small horns, giving the mask a zoomorphic shape and announcing the slender cap towards the sky. The sophisticated and refined hairstyle at the same time, presenting a triangular openwork decor, overhung by a flat rectangular ridge. Rich polychromy of natural pigments red, blue, black, white very well preserved, on this beautiful copy. On the top left of the headpiece, a long vertical crack runs down to the openwork decoration. On the forehead, a vertical crack. On the chin, a slight wear crack. Pigment residue and unctional patina. Superimposed layers of material. Wear and tear. ---- On the cap at the top left, a long vertical crack, going down to the openwork decor. On the front, a vertical crack. At the chin, a slight crack of wear. residues of pigments and patina onctionnelle. Layers superimposed of materials. Wear.