70 - Komo Helmet Mask

Komo Helmet Mask Wood, antelope horns, hair, porcupine quills, and feathers; ancient crusty patina; signs of wear on the interior. Bambara (Bamana), Mali, early 20th century 70 x 40 cm The open mouth revealing triangular teeth, the bulging eyes, and the tall horns give this mask a striking presence. Hairs, quills, and feathers extend its lines and blur the contours of a creature in which several animal forms converge. The hyena, a nocturnal figure of the bush, is hinted at in this powerful head without exhausting its meaning. The thick, crusty patina plays a full part in its expressiveness. Closely linked to blacksmiths, the Komo is one of the major initiatory societies of the Bamana. Its members cultivated knowledge about beings, plants, and the forces influencing existence. During nighttime ceremonies, the mask embodied this knowledge to protect the community and address the difficulties faced by its members. Its fearsome appearance expressed the authority of those reputed to master the forces of the invisible. Regulatory Notice This object contains elements of animal origin, notably horns, porcupine quills, and feathers, the species of which have not been precisely identified. A statement by Serge Reynes, based on a physical examination, dates the mask’s creation and the incorporation of its quills to before June 1, 1947. The possible application of the exemption provided for antique, worked specimens remains subject to verification of regulatory conditions. The status of the animal materials and any necessary documentation must be established before the item is offered for sale. Any export outside the European Union remains subject to the applicable formalities. General Bibliography Patrick R. McNaughton, *The Mande Blacksmiths: Knowledge, Power, and Art in West Africa*, Bloomington, Indiana University Press, 1988. Sarah Brett-Smith, “The Mouth of the Komo,” RES: Anthropology and Aesthetics, no. 31, Spring 1997, pp. 71–96. Comparative Bibliography Seattle Art Museum, Head of the Komo (Komo-ku), Bamana, wood, horn, porcupine quills, hair, metal, pigments, and crusty materials, inv. 81.17.18.