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Head of a Hobbyhorse (korèdugaso)

Head of a Hobbyhorse (korèdugaso)

late 1800s–early 1900s

Wood and iron

Overall: 14 x 13.8 x 40.8 cm (5 1/2 x 5 7/16 x 16 1/16 in.)

James Albert Ford Memorial Fund 1935.307

Location

Did you know?

This is one of the best-known examples of a korèdugaso. It was featured on the catalogue cover for a 1935 exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, one of the first on African arts in the US. It traveled to the CMA that same year.

Description

Pertaining to the male initiation society called Korè, this sculpture from the Koulikoro region represents the head of an aardvark and is part of a wooden hobbyhorse that is mounted by a ritual buffoon. The Korè initiates are divided into different classes, each having a designated mask. The ritual buffoons appear in pantomimes on different public occasions and poke fun at village authorities and other high-ranking individuals.

See also
Collection: 
African Art
Department: 
African Art
Type of artwork: 
Sculpture
Medium: 
Wood and iron

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