Sacred Mask (Nwenka)

1966.35

Information

Nwenke masks (sing. nwenka) are sacred masks carved and used by Bobo blacksmiths initiated to the Sibe association. Bobo masks are typically painted in bright contrasting colours, but the plain condition of this mask suggests that the original pigments may have been removed by a European collector or art dealer in order to make it appeal more to European tastes.