Ceremonial mask - Dogon - Mali
06
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
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Estimate € 280 - € 330
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Ceremonial mask by the Dogon from Mali, carved in wood, with stand, with dimensions 1110 mm high on stand and 500 x 200 x 170 mm overall, provenance Mali, Dogon, in good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Mali
Dogon
Wood
Height: 500mm
Width: 200mm
Depth: 170mm
Height on base: 1110mm
This wooden mask comes from the Dogon people, an ethnic group living mainly in the Bandiagara Cliff region in Mali. Dogon art is deeply linked to their complex cosmogony and ancestral rituals.
Here is the analysis of its stylistic origin and traditional use:
1. Stylistic Characteristics
By observing the object shown in the files mask_dogon-CI247.jpg and mask_kwele-BP022-10.jpg (referred to here as mask_dogon-CI247-10.jpg), one finds the characteristics of statuary and masks from this region:
The geometric and rectangular structure: The mask is carved from a solid block of wood, adopting a general form of a parallelepiped or elongated box. The face is framed by a raised border, creating a concave structure.
The treatment of the nose and eyes: A vertical, straight nasal ridge divides the face. On either side, the orbits are deeply hollowed into rectangular or square windows, a recurring plastic signature among the Dogon.
The forehead and mouth: The forehead is high and domed, while the lower part ends in a schematic mouth, sculpted in a horizontal relief projecting forward.
The crusty patina: The surface of the wood shows a dark, dense, irregular patina. This aspect testifies to the age of the piece and the libations or ritual sacrifices (mixtures of animal blood, millet beer, and earth) poured on the object over generations to activate its spiritual power.
2. Ritual Use and Meaning
In Dogon traditional society, masks belong to the secret male society of the Awa. They are not decorative objects but major ritual tools used mainly during funeral ceremonies:
Dama ceremonies: Dama is a collective mourning-release festival organized several years after the death of village notables. During these rituals, dozens of types of masks appear to dance. The aim of Dama is to lead the souls of the deceased (nyama) out of the world of the living so they join the realm of the ancestors, thus restoring the cosmic and social balance disrupted by death.
The link with the bush and creation: Each Dogon mask represents a specific entity (an animal, a social figure, a spirit, or a cosmogonical concept). Through their rhythmic dances on the village square (tege), mask bearers mime the story of the creation of the world and the forces of wild nature (the bush) in opposition to the orderly village.
Community protection: Outside ritual outings, these masks are kept away from profane eyes in rock shelters or sacred caves located in the cliff. They act as accumulators of vital energy intended to protect the community from misfortune, drought, and disease.
Fast and protected shipping. Packages are sent with insurance and a tracking number.
Delivery by Chronopost between 1 to 3 days in France, 2 to 5 days in the European Union. Delivery to the rest of Europe, worldwide, and to islands by Colissimo International.
We speak english.
mask African art African mask art arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane arte della maschera africana
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateMali
Dogon
Wood
Height: 500mm
Width: 200mm
Depth: 170mm
Height on base: 1110mm
This wooden mask comes from the Dogon people, an ethnic group living mainly in the Bandiagara Cliff region in Mali. Dogon art is deeply linked to their complex cosmogony and ancestral rituals.
Here is the analysis of its stylistic origin and traditional use:
1. Stylistic Characteristics
By observing the object shown in the files mask_dogon-CI247.jpg and mask_kwele-BP022-10.jpg (referred to here as mask_dogon-CI247-10.jpg), one finds the characteristics of statuary and masks from this region:
The geometric and rectangular structure: The mask is carved from a solid block of wood, adopting a general form of a parallelepiped or elongated box. The face is framed by a raised border, creating a concave structure.
The treatment of the nose and eyes: A vertical, straight nasal ridge divides the face. On either side, the orbits are deeply hollowed into rectangular or square windows, a recurring plastic signature among the Dogon.
The forehead and mouth: The forehead is high and domed, while the lower part ends in a schematic mouth, sculpted in a horizontal relief projecting forward.
The crusty patina: The surface of the wood shows a dark, dense, irregular patina. This aspect testifies to the age of the piece and the libations or ritual sacrifices (mixtures of animal blood, millet beer, and earth) poured on the object over generations to activate its spiritual power.
2. Ritual Use and Meaning
In Dogon traditional society, masks belong to the secret male society of the Awa. They are not decorative objects but major ritual tools used mainly during funeral ceremonies:
Dama ceremonies: Dama is a collective mourning-release festival organized several years after the death of village notables. During these rituals, dozens of types of masks appear to dance. The aim of Dama is to lead the souls of the deceased (nyama) out of the world of the living so they join the realm of the ancestors, thus restoring the cosmic and social balance disrupted by death.
The link with the bush and creation: Each Dogon mask represents a specific entity (an animal, a social figure, a spirit, or a cosmogonical concept). Through their rhythmic dances on the village square (tege), mask bearers mime the story of the creation of the world and the forces of wild nature (the bush) in opposition to the orderly village.
Community protection: Outside ritual outings, these masks are kept away from profane eyes in rock shelters or sacred caves located in the cliff. They act as accumulators of vital energy intended to protect the community from misfortune, drought, and disease.
Fast and protected shipping. Packages are sent with insurance and a tracking number.
Delivery by Chronopost between 1 to 3 days in France, 2 to 5 days in the European Union. Delivery to the rest of Europe, worldwide, and to islands by Colissimo International.
We speak english.
mask African art African mask art arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane arte della maschera africana
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Ethnic group/ culture
Dogon
Country of Origin
Mali
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Ceremonial mask
Sold by
