Bamana marionette mask from Mali, African masks

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Masks from Africa

Bamana marionette mask

Bamana people, Mali

full size, painted wood, fabric

Q: This caught my eye at the sale. The textiles appear to be hand loomed but the edges are machine stitched. Though presented as Native American, I don't think so. Hand carved out of wood, but some of the materials are contemporary. Cathie, 1-19-12, 176

A: It's West African and made for use, not tourists or runners. One of my colleagues thinks it's a Bamana marionette. They are large and worn by the puppeteers in Mali. Others think it may be from Nigeria or the Congo. Nobody mentioned N. America.

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