N'Domo Mask - Malinke - Mali

The face of this mask is triangular-oval in shape. The mouth is open in an irregular rounded shape in a grimace of astonishment, the eyes are round, the nose and the rest of the face have various scarifications and are topped by a loop of hair in the shape of an inverted V. Above this, on the head, stands a female figure, 46 cm tall, with her legs slightly bent forward, broad shoulders, between which are straight, pointed breasts of conical shape, long arms with the palms of the hands facing forward. The body and shoulders are covered with scarifications. The face, framed by two large pointed braids that reach almost to the shoulders, also with scarifications, has protruding eyes and mouth, the latter open in a small circle, and a straight, long nose. The mask as a whole gives the impression of power, great expressiveness, and liveliness.

Provenance: Berthe Hartert collection
Argiles collection, Barcelona