Mask Dugn'be - Bijagos - Guinea-Bissau
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Current bid
€ 200
Reserve price met
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 220 - € 250
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Masque Dugn'be, a wooden Bijagos mask from Guinea-Bissau, 35 cm high and 55 cm wide, in excellent condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Decorative African mask adorned with real horns, from the Bidjogo, established in the Bissagos archipelago consisting of about thirty islands off the coast of Guinea-Bissau. Upholstery nails, metal slivers, and red textile embellish this mask depicting a bovine head. The muzzle bears a ring. Desiccation cracks.
The mask is worn before or at the close of initiation ceremonies by a young initiate, the "cabaro," who will bend and sway, conveying the idea of a young vigorous animal still untamed, and the necessity of undergoing the initiatory process in order to acquire discipline and mastery. This type of mask appears today for entertainment festivities and on the occasion of visits by notable guests. These masks, called vaca bruto in Portuguese Creole, were displayed on the prows of the war chiefs' ships. It was indeed Portuguese sailors who introduced the animal to the archipelago in the 15th century.
Other zoomorphic masks are produced, some related to aquatic wildlife, and statues embodying deities with triangular faces, named iran, which have an apotropaic function and are kept in sanctuaries for shelter.
Seller's Story
Tribal Collection – African Art Gallery is a space dedicated to discovering and celebrating both traditional and contemporary African art. The gallery features a curated selection of sculptures, masks, ritual objects, and artworks from various African cultures and ethnic groups, reflecting the richness and diversity of artistic expression across the continent.
Each piece is selected for its aesthetic quality, authenticity, and history, offering collectors, enthusiasts, and curious visitors an immersion into the symbolic and spiritual world of African art. Bridging tradition and modernity, Tribal Collection highlights ancient works full of meaning while also fostering a dialogue with the contemporary creations of today’s African artists.
More than just a gallery, Tribal Collection is a cultural bridge where art becomes a medium of transmission, emotion, and universal dialogue.
Translated by Google TranslateDecorative African mask adorned with real horns, from the Bidjogo, established in the Bissagos archipelago consisting of about thirty islands off the coast of Guinea-Bissau. Upholstery nails, metal slivers, and red textile embellish this mask depicting a bovine head. The muzzle bears a ring. Desiccation cracks.
The mask is worn before or at the close of initiation ceremonies by a young initiate, the "cabaro," who will bend and sway, conveying the idea of a young vigorous animal still untamed, and the necessity of undergoing the initiatory process in order to acquire discipline and mastery. This type of mask appears today for entertainment festivities and on the occasion of visits by notable guests. These masks, called vaca bruto in Portuguese Creole, were displayed on the prows of the war chiefs' ships. It was indeed Portuguese sailors who introduced the animal to the archipelago in the 15th century.
Other zoomorphic masks are produced, some related to aquatic wildlife, and statues embodying deities with triangular faces, named iran, which have an apotropaic function and are kept in sanctuaries for shelter.
Seller's Story
Tribal Collection – African Art Gallery is a space dedicated to discovering and celebrating both traditional and contemporary African art. The gallery features a curated selection of sculptures, masks, ritual objects, and artworks from various African cultures and ethnic groups, reflecting the richness and diversity of artistic expression across the continent.
Each piece is selected for its aesthetic quality, authenticity, and history, offering collectors, enthusiasts, and curious visitors an immersion into the symbolic and spiritual world of African art. Bridging tradition and modernity, Tribal Collection highlights ancient works full of meaning while also fostering a dialogue with the contemporary creations of today’s African artists.
More than just a gallery, Tribal Collection is a cultural bridge where art becomes a medium of transmission, emotion, and universal dialogue.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Ethnic group/ culture
Bijagos
Country of Origin
Guinea-Bissau
Material
Wood
Condition
Excellent condition
Title of artwork
Mask Dugn'be
Height
35 cm
Width
55 cm
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