Mask - Markha Bambara - Mali

03
days
05
hours
23
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54
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Current bid
€ 20
Reserve price not met
Dimitri André
Expert
Selected by Dimitri André

Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.

Estimate  € 180 - € 200
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NLBidder 2091
€20
NLBidder 2091
€15

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Markha Bambara mask from Mali, an original wooden masque dating to the mid-20th century, provenance private collection, dimensions 34 cm high, 1 cm wide and 1 cm deep, weight 1 g, in good condition, sold without a stand.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

The Marka masks, associated with the Bambara culture of Mali, occupy a central place in agricultural rituals and initiation societies. Carved from hard wood, these masks are recognizable by their angular shapes, prominent eyes, and geometric motifs, often covered with kaolin or natural pigments. They embody spirits of nature, ancestors, or invisible forces, and are used during Korè or N’tomo ceremonies, marked by dances and chants.

These sacred objects, handled by initiates, play a key role in social regulation, protecting crops, and transmitting knowledge. Their powerful aesthetic, both abstract and expressive, reflects the balance between humans, the earth, and the divine. Today, Marka masks bear witness to the Bambara cultural vitality and their ability to fuse art, spirituality, and community function.

Presentation of our expertise house

Based in Belgium, our house of expertise and sales specializes in African and ethnographic art. A leading seller on Catawiki for over 8 years, we enjoy a solid reputation and a track record of several hundred sales with an almost 100% satisfaction rate.

We regularly assist with liquidations, successions, and dispersals of collections, in collaboration with private individuals and families in Belgium and neighboring countries. Our approach is rigorous, transparent, and accessible, with many sales offered without reserve prices.

Some pieces that have passed through our hands have joined international private collections and, for some, museum institutions.

Shipping guaranteed within 24 hours, with careful packaging, insurance, and tracking.
Contact 7 days a week: we remain available for any questions or requests for further information.

The Marka masks, associated with the Bambara culture of Mali, occupy a central place in agricultural rituals and initiation societies. Carved from hard wood, these masks are recognizable by their angular shapes, prominent eyes, and geometric motifs, often covered with kaolin or natural pigments. They embody spirits of nature, ancestors, or invisible forces, and are used during Korè or N’tomo ceremonies, marked by dances and chants.

These sacred objects, handled by initiates, play a key role in social regulation, protecting crops, and transmitting knowledge. Their powerful aesthetic, both abstract and expressive, reflects the balance between humans, the earth, and the divine. Today, Marka masks bear witness to the Bambara cultural vitality and their ability to fuse art, spirituality, and community function.

Presentation of our expertise house

Based in Belgium, our house of expertise and sales specializes in African and ethnographic art. A leading seller on Catawiki for over 8 years, we enjoy a solid reputation and a track record of several hundred sales with an almost 100% satisfaction rate.

We regularly assist with liquidations, successions, and dispersals of collections, in collaboration with private individuals and families in Belgium and neighboring countries. Our approach is rigorous, transparent, and accessible, with many sales offered without reserve prices.

Some pieces that have passed through our hands have joined international private collections and, for some, museum institutions.

Shipping guaranteed within 24 hours, with careful packaging, insurance, and tracking.
Contact 7 days a week: we remain available for any questions or requests for further information.

Details

Indigenous object name
Mask
Ethnic group/ culture
Markha Bambara
Country of Origin
Mali
Period
Mid 20th century
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Height
34 cm
Width
1 cm
Depth
1 cm
Weight
1 g
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
BelgiumVerified
1034
Objects sold
97.34%
Private

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