#1796 superb /Rare Old Mossi BIRD Mask Burkina Faso African 42" H

This superb /Rare Old Mossi BIRD Mask from Burkina Faso is a magnificent hand carved of one piece of wood , with a striking geometric design that showcases its age through wear, scratches, cracks, and chips. Measuring 42" H by 9"w by 9.5" D, this finely decorated mask would make a valuable addition to any collection. The Mossi, the largest group in Burkina Faso, have a rich tradition of masquerades and are renowned for their use of large, beautifully sculpted masks and colorful costumes. In their culture, elders are highly honored with elaborate funerals and the appearance of masked dancers representing ancestors, spirits, and forces of nature through dramatic and vigorous dances. These animal masks all symbolize the totem animals of specific clans, and the killing of these animals is considered equivalent to killing a person in a clan village. Across all groups, Burkina Faso is a land filled with masks and scarce figures.