African Ethnographic Mambila Bronze Suaga Dog Head Mask Tribal Art Sculpture

Details

Description

An extraordinarily rare and fine Mambila suaga dog-head mask

- Probably Mambilla Plateau, Nigeria /Cameroon, West Africa grasslands
- Bronze, … Read more An extraordinarily rare and fine Mambila suaga dog-head mask

- Probably Mambilla Plateau, Nigeria /Cameroon, West Africa grasslands
- Bronze, natural raffia fibers
- Unknown age

Exceptional quality work by a highly skilled artist, executed in bronze and of hollow form so as to be worn, having a highly stylized dramatic appearance with deeply expressionistic features.

Features which are difficult to associate with any one specific animal. While the elongated gaping mouth lined with sharp teeth calls a dog or crocodile to mind, the head displays two long curving horns. Richly carved, sculpted and incised detailing, with protruding cylindrical eyes, large rounded ears, and rows of exposed pointed teeth. Viewed in profile, it shows a sweeping convex curve extending from the forehead to the tip of the snout. Mounted with a hand woven raffia collar, that was used in conjunction with a voluminous woven costume that concealed the masker’s body.

Includes modern black metal display stand - Makes for a fascinating sculpture / statue!

Dimensions: (approx)
Mask: 19.75" Long, 12.5" Wide, 9.75" Tall
On stand: 18" Tall

FURTHER READING:
Tribal art; ceremonial / ritualistic mask (helmet headdress crest)

Not a lot is known about Mambilla culture and art. They are a diverse group with various cultural differences between tribes and from village to village.

The term "Suaga" may refer to the specific type of mask, like "Suaga Bor" (dog), with "Due" being another identifier or variation of the mask itself.

"Suaga Due" is the Mambila term for a specific type of Mambila Dog Head Mask, a stylized animal mask originating from Nigeria and Cameroon. These masks are used in justice and supernatural cleansing rituals within the Mambila community.

"Suaga Bor" is a type of Mambila crest mask from Nigeria that is zoomorphic, meaning it depicts animal characteristics. The mask is identifiable by its wide, toothed mouth and is said to represent a combination of a hunting dog and a magpie, symbolizing the fierce aspect of nature's primal forces. These masks appear at sowing festivals to represent negative forces, which are then fought by a second, human-faced mask in a procession.

Condition:
Very good original antique / vintage condition. Attractive appearance, patinated with desirable scattered verdigris.

Wear commensurate with age, use and handling, including minor oxidation, accretions, abrasions, fissures, losses to fibers. Overall a superb museum quality example See less