Huge Crocodile, Bird Mask, Gurunsi, African Mask Start Price USD 2,500.00 Current Price USD 2,500.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, November 21, 2008 End Time Sunday, December 21, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Huge Crocodile, Bird Mask, Gurunsi, African Mask' Description Title: Huge Crocodile, Bird Mask, Gurunsi, African Mask Type of Object: Mask Ethnic Group: Gurunsi Country of Origin: Burkina Faso Materials: Good, pigment Approximate Age: Mid 20th century Dimensions: Length: 48 long, Width: 8.75, Height: 10 Inches. Overall Condition: Good Damage, Repair: General wear, minor chips in places Additional Information: This large and extraordinary headpiece or cap style mask is composed of a number of different animal images combined into a single mask. In the southwest region of Burkina Faso, numerous smaller groups of farming peoples have often been identified collectively as the Gurunsi. Included within this larger collective are the Nuna, Nunuma and Lela among others sharing certain common elements of culture and language. They often share similarities with the masks found among the Bwa and Bobo, their better known neighbors. This is especially seen in their masks that are often difficult to tell apart as they are close in style and symbolism. Animal shaped masks have been identified as the primary sculpted art form of this collective of groups. This wonderfully carved headpiece combines a number of different animals into the large sculpted form. A crocodile extends upwards joined by its mouth to the cap of the mask that is carved in the shape of a bird with the long extended and curved beak. There is an interesting play of mixing images and symbols in that the crocodile’s body shown vertically and seen frontally becomes the body of a bird with a long beak that could also serve as the tail of the crocodile. The beak/tail is particularly interesting as it is embellished down its full length with loops made of raffia grasses. A short length of red cotton string embellishes the beak where it joins the held. It must be remembered that at the time when the masks were being danced they would have been painted bright red, black and white enhancing the geometric relief lines on the surface.Masks are said to come from the ‘bush’ and incorporate the power of the spirit ‘Su’. Masks among the ‘Gurunsi’ appear on a number of occasions including the initiation of young boys as they are informed about the different masks. Also the adolescents are instructed as to their meanings and how the masks symbolize their early myths and history during annual celebrations when the masks are danced. Masks may also appear at the funerals of honored members of the men’s society or young men may simply dance masks on market days as entertainment and as a means to make money and attract young women. The markings of the masks represent scarification patterns people wore in the past and rarely seen today. When not performing masks are kept in the possession of the local smith’s clan. This large, well carved, and colorful bird-crocodile mask would be worn on top of the head with a large grass costume dyed black covering the dancer’s body. This mask has great visual presence and would command a place in any collection. Recommended reading: Roy, C., The Art of the Upper Volta Rivers, 1987.Christopher D. Roy, Thomas G.B.Wheelock, Land ofthe Flying Masks. ART AND CULTURE IN BURKINA FASO. THE THOMAS G.B. Wheelock COLLECTION, 2007 I have examined this piece and agree with the descriptionNiangi Batulukisi, PhD.  **007773** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. Place a Bid!