The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of April 20, 2024
Helmet Mask
possibly early to mid-1900s
Overall: 36 cm (14 3/16 in.)
Location: 108A Sub-Saharan
Did You Know?
This mask likely depicts a hyena, an animal known for its intellect and knowledge of the bush.Description
Belonging to the Kono association, one of the Bamana people’s most powerful men’s groups, this mask’s shape seems to evoke the hyena, an animal reputed for its intelligence and its knowledge of the bush. The Kono’s main task is to offer its members protection against witchcraft. It is also responsible for fostering fertility, solving conflicts, disciplining troublemakers, and sentencing criminals. Masquerades are among the Kono’s most public expressions; the mask’s performance is characterized by energy and vigor.- Robert Jacobsen [1912-1993], Copenhagen, DenmarkReginauld Groux, Parisca. 1980s–2005Urs Albrecht, Basel, Switzerland2005Ernst Beyeler [1921-2010], Riehen/Basel, Switzerland (as selling agent for Albrecht)2005–2011Private collection, New York, NY2011–The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- Gagliardi, Susan Elizabeth, and Constantijn Petridis. Senufo Unbound: Dynamics of Art and Identity in West Africa. Cleveland: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 2015. pp. 260-261, fig. 197
- Senufo: Art and Identity in West Africa. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 22-May 31, 2015); Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis, MO (June 28-September 27, 2015); Musée Fabre, Montpellier, France (November 28, 2015-March 6, 2016).The Cleveland Museum of Art (2/22/15-5/31/15) Saint Louis Art museum (6/28/15-9/27/15) Musée Fabre,Montpellier, France (11/28/15-3/6/16) "Senufo: Art and identity in West Africa"
- {{cite web|title=Helmet Mask|url=false|author=|year=possibly early to mid-1900s|access-date=20 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2011.196