DOGON, Mali - Lot 105

DOGON, Mali Very old Kanaga mask. It features a stylized, cubist face with an arrowhead-shaped nose, evoking the strength and deep symbolism of Dogon culture. Every detail, from the remaining white pigments to the thick, localized brown patina, bears witness to its ancient use and ritual value. Wood, remaining white pigments, thick localized brown patina, old patina and marks of use. Height Height : 47 cm Provenance : Former Maria and Paul Wyss collection, Basel Private collection, Basel Dogon masks, with their animal and human forms, reflect a vision of the world handed down from generation to generation. Each mask embodies a myth, often preserved through oral tradition like a sacred poem. Kanaga masks, in particular, are linked to ancestor cults and symbolize the restoration of cosmic order disrupted by death. During their spectacular dances, the wearers twirl the mask on their heads in a striking manner, risking a brush with the ground and causing the structure to break, thus illustrating the fragility and resilience of life.