Mask

Zoomorphic wooden mask of the Bamana people of Mali, dating to the 20th century. Originally, the sculpture was fitted with a small cap attached to the dancer’s head. It depicts a male roan antelope, whose torso and inward-facing legs form a trapezoidal shape. The elongated, openwork neck with its mane, the muzzle characterized by the right-angle intersection of the nose and brow ridge typical of Bamana style, and the long backward-curving horns are all enhanced by incised linear geometric motifs. The work is part of the Bassani Collection and is housed at the MUDEC – Museum of Cultures in Milan (inv. AFR 00005 2513A).

Foto: Paolo Vandrasch, Milano; Giuliano Spagnul, Milano; Vivi Papi, Varese.

Courtesy MUDEC.