Vessel with Incised Lizards

Dagari people, Burkina Faso, African

Late 20th century

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Seated Figure, Bamana people, Mali, African, iron
Vessel with incised geometric designs.
Face mask with rabbit features. Narrow vertical oval ears painted red with white interiors; protruding conical black eyes surrounded by concentric black rings with white pigment in-between; protruding open triangular mouth/snout, painted black, adorned with small incised triangles painted white and red. Oval perimeter of back of mask pierced with multiple holes to enable attachment of mask to dancer's head as well as attachment of fiber costume. This type of mask is worn by men during funeral or initiation ceremonies. Animal masks commemorate encounters that people have had with ancestors who appeared in the form of an animal.
Wide vessel has narrow neck with flaring rim. Bands of incised patterns on neck and body of vessel; shoulder features free-form, ribbon-like patterns.