Mask Dugn'be - Bijagos - Guinea-Bissau
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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, depicting a bovine head with real horns, dimensions 35 cm high by 55 cm wide, in excellent condition and featuring metal strips, nail studs and red textile; provenance traces to the Bijagos archipelago where masks are used in initiation ceremonies and for ceremonial display.
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Description from the seller
Decorative African mask fitted with real horns, originating from the Bidjogo, established in the Bissagos archipelago made up of about thirty islands off the coast of Guinea-Bissau. Upholstery tacks, metal slivers, and red textile embellish this mask depicting a bovine head. The muff bears a ring. Desiccation cracks.
The mask is worn before or at the close of initiation ceremonies, by a young initiate called a “cabaro,” who will bow and crouch, conveying the idea of a vigorous but still untamed young animal, and the necessity of going through the initiation process in order to acquire discipline and mastery. This type of mask appears today for entertainment festivities and on the occasion of visits by distinguished guests. These masks, named vaca bruto in Portuguese Creole, were displayed on the prows of war chiefs’ ships. It is indeed the Portuguese sailors who introduced the animal into the archipelago in the 15th century.
Other zoomorphic masks are produced, some related to aquatic fauna, and statues embodying deities with triangular faces, called iran, which have an apotropaic function and are kept secured in sanctuaries.
Seller's Story
Totem Galerie– African Art Gallery is a space dedicated to the discovery and celebration of both traditional and contemporary African art. The gallery brings together a refined 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 chosen 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, Totem Galerie highlights ancient works full of meaning while also creating a dialogue with the contemporary creations of today’s African artists.
More than just a gallery, Totem Galerie is a cultural bridge where art becomes a medium of transmission, emotion, and universal dialogue.
Translated by Google TranslateDecorative African mask fitted with real horns, originating from the Bidjogo, established in the Bissagos archipelago made up of about thirty islands off the coast of Guinea-Bissau. Upholstery tacks, metal slivers, and red textile embellish this mask depicting a bovine head. The muff bears a ring. Desiccation cracks.
The mask is worn before or at the close of initiation ceremonies, by a young initiate called a “cabaro,” who will bow and crouch, conveying the idea of a vigorous but still untamed young animal, and the necessity of going through the initiation process in order to acquire discipline and mastery. This type of mask appears today for entertainment festivities and on the occasion of visits by distinguished guests. These masks, named vaca bruto in Portuguese Creole, were displayed on the prows of war chiefs’ ships. It is indeed the Portuguese sailors who introduced the animal into the archipelago in the 15th century.
Other zoomorphic masks are produced, some related to aquatic fauna, and statues embodying deities with triangular faces, called iran, which have an apotropaic function and are kept secured in sanctuaries.
Seller's Story
Totem Galerie– African Art Gallery is a space dedicated to the discovery and celebration of both traditional and contemporary African art. The gallery brings together a refined 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 chosen 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, Totem Galerie highlights ancient works full of meaning while also creating a dialogue with the contemporary creations of today’s African artists.
More than just a gallery, Totem Galerie 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
Period
Late 20th century
Material
Wood
Condition
Excellent condition
Title of artwork
Mask Dugn'be
Height
35 cm
Width
55 cm
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