Konor (or Kono) mask RARE (Bla glu) , Liberia Start Price USD 790.00 Current Price USD 790.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, October 05, 2008 End Time Wednesday, October 15, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Konor (or Kono) mask RARE (Bla glu) , Liberia' Description Title: African Face Mask (Bla glu') KONOR, Ivory Coast/Liberia Type of Object: Face Mask (Bla glu') Ethnic Group: Konor or Kono Country of Origin: Northern Ivory Coast, Liberia Materials: Wood, Cloth, Metal and Organic Material Approximate Age: Early to mid 20th C Dimensions: Height is 13 inches. Overall Condition: Good Damage, Repair: None Additional Information: Masks such as this are known among the various peoples of Liberia and the Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire). Representing Ge, who are spirits, they serve as visible symbols manifesting power, principles and dieties to explain myths, cosmology and to maintain social order, settle disputes and where necessary declare war and bring peace. They also initiate the young and at times appear to entertain the people. They are used by the men's secret society called Poro as the enforcing arm of local authority and serve to harmonize relations with neighboring villages as Poro is not only local but equally links districts through the appearance of masks.Poro masks are identified with individual names and specific stylistic attributes. This mask is most probably from the Konor people who live in Liberia and the Ivory Coast. Known as Bla Glu, or the sheep ge (spirit), it was a war mask that appeared to start a war or to celebrate a victory. Women and children were never to see it as it was a mask that was most fearsome with its black face and with red cloth around the eyes. As a war mask it provided the magic to protect the warriors and could also call for human sacrifices in the past. Masks such as this had beards made of cord to which beads were attached when the mask appeared. The forehead incorporates the horns of a ram in a wonderfully sculpted form. There is residue of red paint around the eyes that would have increased the dramatic appearance of this well carved mask. The over all dark color with heavy patination comes from many offerings over years of use that now cover the face and bright red cloth. This style of horned mask is also found among either the Gio people of Liberia, where it was known as Bla glu, a sheep mask that was involved in the initiation of young boys into Poro..The inner surface of the mask shows long use and gives indicates some age placing it sometime before the middle of the 20th century. This is an old and well used mask and would be a solid addition to any collection of art of the Poro Society. Recommended Reading: G.W. Harley, "Notes on the Poro in Liberia" 1941 Masks as Agents of Social Control in Northeast Liberia 1950.**013716** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!