Mask of merriment - Bambara - Mali
04
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09
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Bambara wooden mask from Mali in good condition, dimensions 365 × 185 × 145 mm, associated with the N'Domo initiation society and festive rejoicings.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Mali
Bambara
Wood
Height: 365 mm
Width: 185 mm
Depth: 145 mm
African wooden mask of the Bambara (Bamana) people from Mali -
This mask, identifiable by its structure as belonging to the Bambara (Bamana) people of Mali, has a very geometric aesthetic, with a long straight nose, a forehead carved with chevrons, and, above all, a crest made of horns or vertical spikes.
Although it is described as a “joy mask” because it is worn during public festivities and rhythmic dances, its primary function is at the heart of the major initiation societies of the Bambara. More precisely, this mask is linked to the N'Domo (or Ndomo) society.
Here is what it was used for and how it was used:
1. Initiation of young boys (The N'Domo society)
The N'Domo is the first of six secret societies that shape a Bambara man’s life. It takes care of boys who have not yet been circumcised before they enter adulthood.
Learning to live in society: The mask served to guide the youths during their retreat and learning period. They were taught the origin of man, self-control, silence, and future responsibilities.
Spiritual protection: As long as they are not circumcised, the young boys are considered vulnerable to negative spiritual forces. The N'Domo mask acted as a shield to capture and neutralize these forces (nyama).
2. Joyful festivals and village quests
During and at the end of their initiation period, the young boys went into the village for public performances:
Dances and celebrations: Wearing the mask and fiber costumes, they performed rhythmic dances to celebrate the end of a cycle or the harvest. This is the festive, “joyful” aspect visible to the whole village (including women and non-initiates).
The quests: The mask bearers toured the settlements to ask for offerings (grains, food, money). These gifts funded the ceremonies of the youth society.
The symbolism of vertical spikes
In the mask file mask_bambara-2026-070.jpg, three spikes (or horns) aligned along the top of the head are clearly visible. In N'Domo tradition, the number of horns has a precise symbolic meaning related to gender:
3 or 6 horns: symbolize the masculine element (the number 3 is the man’s number among the Bambaras).
4 horns: symbolize the feminine gender.
5, 7, or 8 horns: symbolize androgyny or the human spirit in its totality.
In short: This joy mask served as a spiritual and social tutor for Bambara adolescents, turning a crucial rite of passage into a protective and festive celebration for the entire community.
This mask is representative of Bambara art, with a balance between shapes and volumes and finely carved details.
The items are sent with a tracking number.
Delivery to France by Chronopost in 1 to 2 days. Delivery to the European Union via Chronopost International in 3 to 5 days. Delivery via Colissimo International for the rest of Europe and for the whole world.
We speak english.
Mask african art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
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
Bambara
Wood
Height: 365 mm
Width: 185 mm
Depth: 145 mm
African wooden mask of the Bambara (Bamana) people from Mali -
This mask, identifiable by its structure as belonging to the Bambara (Bamana) people of Mali, has a very geometric aesthetic, with a long straight nose, a forehead carved with chevrons, and, above all, a crest made of horns or vertical spikes.
Although it is described as a “joy mask” because it is worn during public festivities and rhythmic dances, its primary function is at the heart of the major initiation societies of the Bambara. More precisely, this mask is linked to the N'Domo (or Ndomo) society.
Here is what it was used for and how it was used:
1. Initiation of young boys (The N'Domo society)
The N'Domo is the first of six secret societies that shape a Bambara man’s life. It takes care of boys who have not yet been circumcised before they enter adulthood.
Learning to live in society: The mask served to guide the youths during their retreat and learning period. They were taught the origin of man, self-control, silence, and future responsibilities.
Spiritual protection: As long as they are not circumcised, the young boys are considered vulnerable to negative spiritual forces. The N'Domo mask acted as a shield to capture and neutralize these forces (nyama).
2. Joyful festivals and village quests
During and at the end of their initiation period, the young boys went into the village for public performances:
Dances and celebrations: Wearing the mask and fiber costumes, they performed rhythmic dances to celebrate the end of a cycle or the harvest. This is the festive, “joyful” aspect visible to the whole village (including women and non-initiates).
The quests: The mask bearers toured the settlements to ask for offerings (grains, food, money). These gifts funded the ceremonies of the youth society.
The symbolism of vertical spikes
In the mask file mask_bambara-2026-070.jpg, three spikes (or horns) aligned along the top of the head are clearly visible. In N'Domo tradition, the number of horns has a precise symbolic meaning related to gender:
3 or 6 horns: symbolize the masculine element (the number 3 is the man’s number among the Bambaras).
4 horns: symbolize the feminine gender.
5, 7, or 8 horns: symbolize androgyny or the human spirit in its totality.
In short: This joy mask served as a spiritual and social tutor for Bambara adolescents, turning a crucial rite of passage into a protective and festive celebration for the entire community.
This mask is representative of Bambara art, with a balance between shapes and volumes and finely carved details.
The items are sent with a tracking number.
Delivery to France by Chronopost in 1 to 2 days. Delivery to the European Union via Chronopost International in 3 to 5 days. Delivery via Colissimo International for the rest of Europe and for the whole world.
We speak english.
Mask african art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
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
Indigenous object name
Mask of merriment
Ethnic group/ culture
Bambara
Country of Origin
Mali
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Sold by
