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Kono Association Mask - Image 1

Kono Association Mask - Image 2

Kono Association Mask - Image 3

Kono Association Mask - Image 4

Bamana

Kono Association Mask

Bamana, Early 20th century

Kono Association Mask — thumbnail 1

Kono Association Mask — thumbnail 2

Kono Association Mask — thumbnail 3

Kono Association Mask — thumbnail 4

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Kono Association Mask

Bamana

Kono Association Mask

Bamana

Kono Association Mask

Bamana, Early 20th century

Physical Qualities Wood, encrustations, cotton string, feathers, 41 in. (104.1 cm.)

Credit Line Purchase with exchange funds from Gift of Alan Wurtzburger

Object Number 1960.66

These horizontal masks merge the features of two or more animals to create one frightening, otherworldly creature. Smallscale societies in the Sahel—a belt of grassland south of the Sahara—created these composite pieces to ward off evil and antisocial behavior. Each mask would have been worn by a member of a fraternal association charged with protecting the community.

"Subverting Beauty: African Anti-Aesthetics", Jul 15, 2018 - Nov 17, 2019, BMA, Kevin Tervala.

Frederick John Lamp, "See the Music Hear the Dance: Rethinking African Art at the Baltimore Museum of Art." New York: Prestel, 2003, p.41, ill.

Culture

Bamana

Meet Bamana

Explore the Collection Further

AFRICA, THE AMERICAS, ASIA, AND THE PACIFIC ISLANDS

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Fearsome First Daughter (Adiaha Unak) Mask for the Ekpo Association

Early 20th century

Poro Association Helmet Mask (Kpònyugu)

Senufo

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Late 19th century

Female Figure (Jonyeleni)

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Female Figure (Jonyeleni)

20th century

Male Antelope Headdress (Tyiwara)

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Male Antelope Headdress (Tyiwara)

20th century

Sleeve Vase with Incised Tree Peony Design and Animal Mask Handles

Dehua kilns

Sleeve Vase with Incised Tree Peony Design and Animal Mask Handles

18th century

A MASKED BALL

Gerda Wegener

A Masked Ball

1922

Mask (Giwoyo)

Pende

Mask (Giwoyo)

Before 1920