This mask was carved in the style of a firespitter from the Senufo people of Ivory Coast. This mask is a little unique in that there is only one horn instead of two and most firespitter’s have sharp crocodile like teeth carved inside the mouth. This piece measures 12 inches tall, 26 inches long, and weighs 12 pounds. There is some cracking, scuffing and general wear and tear and deterioration – please inspect photos carefully. Stand not included but one can be added for an additional fee.
Sale!
Senufo Firespitter Mask 26″ Long – Ivory Coast – African Art
$137.50
Sold
| Type of Object | Helmet Mask |
|---|---|
| Ethnicity | Senufo |
| Country of Origin | Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) |
| Approximate Age | Unknown |
| Height (Inches) | 12" |
| Width (Inches) | 8" |
| Depth (Inches) | 26" |
| Weight (Pounds) | 12 lbs |
| Overall Condition | Some cracking, scuffing and general wear and tear throughout. |
Tribe Information
About the Senufo People
“Scattered across the Ivory Coast, Mali and Burkina Faso, the million and a half Senufo tribespeople live principally off the fruits of agriculture and occasionally hunting. They inhabit villages governed by a council of elders, who in turn are led be a chief elected from their number. Tribal cohesion is reinforced through the rituals of the Poro society who initiate and educate the men from the age of seven onwards. Senufo theology is based on Koulotiolo, a powerful god, and Katieleo, a goddess mother, who through the rituals of the Poro society, regenerates the world.
The Senufo were among the first tribal artists to be admired by the Western world. Their artistic output has been prolific – statues and masks characterized by realistic features or highly geometric shapes which emphasize rhythm and the opposition between void and full spaces.”