500 Gallery
Timed Auction

Artistic Splendors: Timed Auction

Fri, Jun 30, 2023 12:00PM EDT - Thu, Jul 6, 2023 11:00AM EDT
Lot 132

African Baga Snake Helmet Mask

Estimate: $3,000 - $6,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$20,000 $1,000
$50,000 $2,500
African Tribal Art: Baga People, Guinea, West Africa: Helmet mask with a snake. Late 19th Century (Circa 1890). Carved wood and pigments, mounted on a custom-made steel stand.

The serpent (Kalimbe, or Bansonyi) refers to a protective spirit manifested in the form of a snake that presides over male initiation ceremonies in the Baga culture.

Many helmet-style masks feature holes along the lower rim, by which whey are attached to a costume. This mask, without holes, shows wear from being held above the head by hand.

10.5H x 7W x 41.5L, 43H on stand (inches).

Private Collection, Massachusetts, Private Collection, New York

Condition

Good, aged condition, with signs of wear and use.

NOTE: If documentation is not listed, the lot is sold without documents.

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