Africa. MALI. N'Tomo mask of the Marka. The N'TOMO... Lot 74

Africa. MALI. N'Tomo mask of the Marka. The N'TOMO association groups together uncircumcised adolescents in a hierarchy of five grades. In the N'TOMO masks the number of horns symbolizes, according to D. Zahan, the degree of the nature of knowledge. This object has four small carved gazelle horns around the forehead. Two lateral braids ending in a tuft of red cotton have been replaced by tin, while the one on the nose dates from the making of the mask. The art of the MARKA is linked to the BAMBARA group. The wooden masks are covered with chiselled and hammered brass leaves. These creations are irresistibly reminiscent of Modigliani. Dimensions : Height approx. 49,5CM. (Africa, African Art, Civilization and ethnic groups).