Senufo Kponiugo Mask,Fire-Spitter AMBASSADORS Start Price USD 1,200.00 Current Price USD 1,200.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, October 10, 2008 End Time Sunday, November 09, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Senufo Kponiugo Mask,Fire-Spitter AMBASSADORS' Description Title: Senufo Kponiugo Mask, Fire-SpitterType of Object: Helmet MaskEthnic Group: SenufoCountry of Origin: Cote d'IvoireMaterials: Wood, pigmentApproximate Age:Mid twentieth centuryDimensions: Height: 23 inchesOverall Condition: GoodDamage, Repair: large old crack in the lower jaw, minor  cracks and chips to the head and the back. Provenance: From the Collection of Ambassador Patricia and Mr. Richard Hawkins. Ambassador Hawkins is currently the U.S. Ambassador to Togo. She has previously served the State Department in Zaire, now Democratic Republic of the Congo; Burkina Faso; and Cote D'Ivoire. Richard Hawkins is also a career Foreign Service Diplomat. Both of them have connoisseur's eyes. The Hawkins' have collected African art for many years, and we are delighted to offer a portion of their magnificent collection. STAND INCLUDED! Certificate of authenticity  availableAdditional Information: The Senufo live in the Ivory Coast and southern Mali in small villages supporting themselves primarily as farmers. Though generally independent, the villages are joined through a shared men’s secret society known as Poro or Pondo, which is responsible for the initiation of young boys and men and for instruction in the religious wisdom and knowledge of the bush spirits. This mask is a sub-style variant of a large helmet mask known as Kponiugo (or Kopnyungo), meaning literally “funeral head mask,” worn by senior members of Poro at funerals of deceased and honored members. This complex mask is worn on the head when danced, incorporating a number of different animal motifs to create an image that is aggressive and powerful. The face of the mask combines human and animal traits, with the typical Senufo T-shaped nose.The crocodile mouth at the front of this mask represents the uncontrolled forces of the bush. On the top of the mask are two unidentified animals, probably chameleons. Chameleons are also associated with the original primordial creatures created by God. Chameleons as well as crocodile are magical and powerful as chameleons are believed to be transitional animals, changing color when aroused or frightened. Its slow and deliberate manner of walking also makes it an animal to fear. On this mask the paired figures of chameleons are shown pulling on the bowl which would have held magical elements. This mask was used by farmers among the Senufo and when worn the dancer would look out through the opening of the mouth.This is a classic example of Kponiugo that would have a prominent place in any collection. A HISTORY OF ART IN AFRICA" by Visona et al, features a piece very similar to this one.Recommended Reading: Goldwater, R. “Senufo Sculpture from West Africa." (1964). Glaze, Anita J. “Art and Death in a Senufo Village." (1981).I have examined this piece and agree with the description.Niangi Batulukisi, Ph.D.**041347** 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!