Bamana people, Mali

9 inches, forged iron

The Bamana iron mask is from southern Mali in West Africa near the great Niger bend. Very little is known about the significance and function of these iron masks, as opposed to conventional masks. As iron making was generally viewed as a powerful and mystical enterprise among the African iron smelting tribes, the resulting forged artifacts were often employed in divination or other spiritual rituals and ceremonies. Male dominance and virility was a principal ideology among the Bamana and often influenced their art. This mask is simpler in design than most and to me, a more powerful example of abstract design. The rusted patina is especially handsome on this excellent reproduction.