is a small mask, bought in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, several years ago. We had been in contact with a "reel" that we should find a mask-rectangular board from ethnic Toussian. Oh! we did not want a mask collector, our knowledge is not sharp enough in this area and we were not concerned not the sanctity of such a piece. Moreover, our puller was barely out of adolescence and did not make weight on the antiquities market. But he said the merchants know can provide us a copy of a beautiful mask. He sought, he found several pieces in two days ... I'll introduce you bought the mask in a future post. Not knowing how far we were interested in the masks - which are the subject of extensive trade in West Africa - he had the opportunity to bring us back small parts, "easy to put on the plane." Nothing really interesting and as seen and reviewed. But ... in skilled tradesman, he left something lying at the bottom of a gray canvas bag, as if it was nothing but a rag. We discussed the masks, its region of origin, ours Time spent over tea in the lobby of the hotel. We're told recollections of Ouagadougou of the past, trade was in full swing and the sympathy was not to rest.
Finally, seeing that we were not mine to ask him what he had in his bag, he announced that something "gift" to us, since we became friends. He pulled the mask and yellow announced a price - almost laughable. Struck by the yellow patina, makeup awkward imbalance in the face, I thought it was something even more touristy than the others ... but friendship requires, we were on such good terms, our little shop said the sale "for him," namely that the mask belonged to him, we bought it ...
Once our friends, we have shown our purchases, and nobody seemed to know the yellow mask - no one was interested. We almost let there when we got home and then to the small footprint, and respect for the small seller - we have embarked.
And since ... He accompanies me! I put in my bathroom because his crest was coordinated with a turquoise lamp and I love the turquoise classic in bathrooms. But ... I had reckoned without the looks, the mouth ironic: he will never leave me again. Immediately I thought of a woman, perhaps because of the makeup ... This is my friend the morning image: it allows me to step back, to see beauty in everyday life.
Following publication of my Images of the Day, one morning when the sun had embellished, I started some research and it is easily that I I found his description of its origin.
facial mask female gu (Guro, Ivory Coast) publication by The Other Face, African masks, the Barbier Mueller, Iris Hahner Herzog, Maria and Laszlo Vajda Keskési. Editions Adam Biro, 1997
The most often identified with the wife of Zamble (zoomorphic mask with horns), the gu appears after two zoomorphic masks responsible for resolving disputes, learn to dance or sorcerers during festivals and funeral rites. The gu moves gracefully and slowly, and sing songs in honor of Zamble . Masks gu are a young woman with a narrow face, chin discreet, the hairy stripe on a high forehead, arched eyebrows, outlined in black, fine nose with delicate nostrils, parted lips on sharp teeth. The scars are still features masks gu. There are several alternatives in the treatment of hair.
I found a description of the manufacture of these masks on the site Ivory Arts, where you can see a lot more copies of this mask:
It is made of wood ' rubber and sand sculpture artisan will gross to get a perfect smoothing.
Then the mask is coated with a mixture of kaolin (limestone powder), water and glue.
After drying, the mask is painted. Each ethnic group has colors (usually found in Gouros: red, black, yellow, white).
Once the paint dries, the mask is coated with a mixture of glue and animal dung. Which will give crusty appearance.
Once sun dried, the craftsman made a fire in the craft oven. The flames are smothered to generate much smoke. The artisan
raises the mask in the oven (the mask will be "oussou"), and steamed for two to three hours.
Thus the bright color of the mask will give an aged appearance. The mask will be polished, then rubbed with kaolin or wax neutral, so that the sculptures emerge
For purchases of little importance, I finally have a purpose that makes sense. I think sometimes the small seller, so young, so enthusiastic, so doing his job ...
Following publication of my Images of the Day, one morning when the sun had embellished, I started some research and it is easily that I I found his description of its origin.
facial mask female gu (Guro, Ivory Coast) publication by The Other Face, African masks, the Barbier Mueller, Iris Hahner Herzog, Maria and Laszlo Vajda Keskési. Editions Adam Biro, 1997
The most often identified with the wife of Zamble (zoomorphic mask with horns), the gu appears after two zoomorphic masks responsible for resolving disputes, learn to dance or sorcerers during festivals and funeral rites. The gu moves gracefully and slowly, and sing songs in honor of Zamble . Masks gu are a young woman with a narrow face, chin discreet, the hairy stripe on a high forehead, arched eyebrows, outlined in black, fine nose with delicate nostrils, parted lips on sharp teeth. The scars are still features masks gu. There are several alternatives in the treatment of hair.
It is made of wood ' rubber and sand sculpture artisan will gross to get a perfect smoothing.
Then the mask is coated with a mixture of kaolin (limestone powder), water and glue.
After drying, the mask is painted. Each ethnic group has colors (usually found in Gouros: red, black, yellow, white).
Once the paint dries, the mask is coated with a mixture of glue and animal dung. Which will give crusty appearance.
Once sun dried, the craftsman made a fire in the craft oven. The flames are smothered to generate much smoke. The artisan
raises the mask in the oven (the mask will be "oussou"), and steamed for two to three hours.
Thus the bright color of the mask will give an aged appearance. The mask will be polished, then rubbed with kaolin or wax neutral, so that the sculptures emerge
For purchases of little importance, I finally have a purpose that makes sense. I think sometimes the small seller, so young, so enthusiastic, so doing his job ...
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