This head crest mask was carved in the style of the Gurunsi people of Burkina Faso. It features a crocodile with geometric patterns covering the top. The mask is meant to sit on top of the head with the snout facing outward. The mask measures 53.5 inches tall and weighs 7 pounds. There is some old damage to the mouth and general wear and tear throughout the piece – please inspect photos carefully. Stand is not included.
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Gurunsi Crocodile Mask 53.5″ – Burkina Faso – African Art
$195.00
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| Type of Object | Headcrest Mask |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Burkina Faso |
| Ethnicity | Gurunsi |
| Animal | |
| Material | Wood, Pigment |
| Approximate Age | Unknown |
| Height (Inches) | 53.5" |
| Width (Inches) | 7.5" |
| Depth (Inches) | 7.5" |
| Weight (Pounds) | 7 lbs |
| Overall Condition | Old damage to the mouth |
Tribe Information
About the Gurunsi People
“A number of tribes who speak dialects of the Gur language have been grouped together under the name Gurunsi. They number 200,000 and spend the dry season hunting and fishing. Gurunsi masks represent bush spirits and are characterized by eyes set within concentric circles. They are worn by dancers during funerals, initiation ceremonies, fertility rites and market-day festivities.
Gurunsi figures are less well known in the West, but have a role in divination rituals.
Gurunsi people wear ivory and bronze bracelets and like other tribes in the region, carve wooden flutes.”
Source:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.