RARE SENUFO ZOOMORPHIC HELMET MASK, IVORY COAST

RARE SENUFO ZOOMORPHIC HELMET MASK, IVORY COAST

Rare piece by Kulubele artisans with ritual religious purposes. A Senufo zoomorphic helmet Firespitter mask, Ivory Coast, of hollowed form, with an open jaw baring sharp teeth. The geometric almost cubist design adds a sense of modernity to a piece dated circa early XX century. The Senufo people emerged as a group sometime within the 15th or 16th century. They were a significant part of the 17th to 19th century Kenedougou Kingdom with the capital of Sikasso. This region saw many wars including the rule of Daoula Ba Traoré, a cruel despot who reigned between 1840 and 1877. Regionally, the Senufo are famous as musicians and superb carvers of wood sculpture, masks, and figurines. The Senufo people have specialized their art and handicraft work by subgroups, wherein the art is learnt within this group, passed from one generation to the next. The Kulubele specialize as woodcarvers. Antique Ethnographic Art and Tribal Collectibles.

Dimensions: L 15 in. All measurements are approximate.

Condition: Overall good antique condition. Signs of wear and Age. Refer to photos. Sold as is.