Ceremonial mask - Dogon - Mali
03
days
00
hours
58
minutes
04
seconds
Current bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
 | €1 |
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The wooden ceremonial mask, titled “Masque de cérémonie”, is from Mali and belongs to the Dogon culture, and it is sold with a stand.
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 Escarpment region of Mali. Dogon art is deeply connected to their complex cosmogony and ancestral rituals.
Here is an analysis of its stylistic origins and traditional use:
1. Stylistic Characteristics
Looking at the object shown in the files masque_dogon-CI247.jpg and masque_kwele-BP022-10.jpg (referenced here as masque_dogon-CI247-10.jpg), we can identify characteristics of the sculpture and masks from this region:
The geometric, rectangular structure: The mask is carved from a solid block of wood, taking the overall 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 straight, vertical nasal ridge divides the face. On either side, the eye sockets are deeply hollowed into rectangular or square openings, a recurring stylistic signature among the Dogon.
The forehead and mouth: The forehead is high and rounded, while the lower part ends in a schematic mouth, carved as a horizontal relief projecting forward.
The crusty patina: The surface of the wood has a dark, dense, irregular patina. This appearance bears witness to the age of the piece and to the ritual libations or sacrifices (mixtures of animal blood, millet beer, and earth) poured over the object over generations to activate its spiritual power.
2. Ritual Use and Meaning
In traditional Dogon society, masks belong to the male secret society of the Awa. They are not decorative objects but important ritual tools used mainly during funeral ceremonies:
Dama ceremonies: Dama is a collective end-of-mourning celebration held several years after the death of village elders. During these rituals, dozens of types of masks come out to dance. The purpose of Dama is to lead the souls of the deceased (nyama) out of the world of the living so they can join the realm of the ancestors, thereby restoring the cosmic and social balance disrupted by death.
The connection with the bush and creation: Each Dogon mask represents a specific entity (an animal, a social figure, a spirit, or a cosmogonic concept). Through their rhythmic dances in the village square (tege), the mask wearers reenact the story of the creation of the world and the forces of wild nature (the bush), in contrast to the ordered village.
Community protection: When not used in ritual processions, these masks are kept away from profane eyes in rock shelters or sacred caves in the cliff. They act as accumulators of vital energy intended to protect the community from misfortune, drought, and illness.
Fast and secure shipping. Parcels are sent insured and with a tracking number.
Delivery by Chronopost in 1 to 3 days in France, and 2 to 5 days in the European Union. Delivery to the rest of Europe, worldwide, and to the islands by Colissimo International.
We speak english.
African mask art African mask art African mask art African mask art
African statue art African statue art African statue art African mask art
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 Escarpment region of Mali. Dogon art is deeply connected to their complex cosmogony and ancestral rituals.
Here is an analysis of its stylistic origins and traditional use:
1. Stylistic Characteristics
Looking at the object shown in the files masque_dogon-CI247.jpg and masque_kwele-BP022-10.jpg (referenced here as masque_dogon-CI247-10.jpg), we can identify characteristics of the sculpture and masks from this region:
The geometric, rectangular structure: The mask is carved from a solid block of wood, taking the overall 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 straight, vertical nasal ridge divides the face. On either side, the eye sockets are deeply hollowed into rectangular or square openings, a recurring stylistic signature among the Dogon.
The forehead and mouth: The forehead is high and rounded, while the lower part ends in a schematic mouth, carved as a horizontal relief projecting forward.
The crusty patina: The surface of the wood has a dark, dense, irregular patina. This appearance bears witness to the age of the piece and to the ritual libations or sacrifices (mixtures of animal blood, millet beer, and earth) poured over the object over generations to activate its spiritual power.
2. Ritual Use and Meaning
In traditional Dogon society, masks belong to the male secret society of the Awa. They are not decorative objects but important ritual tools used mainly during funeral ceremonies:
Dama ceremonies: Dama is a collective end-of-mourning celebration held several years after the death of village elders. During these rituals, dozens of types of masks come out to dance. The purpose of Dama is to lead the souls of the deceased (nyama) out of the world of the living so they can join the realm of the ancestors, thereby restoring the cosmic and social balance disrupted by death.
The connection with the bush and creation: Each Dogon mask represents a specific entity (an animal, a social figure, a spirit, or a cosmogonic concept). Through their rhythmic dances in the village square (tege), the mask wearers reenact the story of the creation of the world and the forces of wild nature (the bush), in contrast to the ordered village.
Community protection: When not used in ritual processions, these masks are kept away from profane eyes in rock shelters or sacred caves in the cliff. They act as accumulators of vital energy intended to protect the community from misfortune, drought, and illness.
Fast and secure shipping. Parcels are sent insured and with a tracking number.
Delivery by Chronopost in 1 to 3 days in France, and 2 to 5 days in the European Union. Delivery to the rest of Europe, worldwide, and to the islands by Colissimo International.
We speak english.
African mask art African mask art African mask art African mask art
African statue art African statue art African statue art African mask art
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
