Lot 457 A BWA HAWK MASK, BURKINA FASO, FIRST HALF 20TH CENTURY

Wood, pigments. This exquisite mask is of relatively small size for the genre and shows convincing signs of wear. It depicts a hawk with a large beak. This mask corresponds with the actual size of African hawk species and the pattern depicts the feathers on the underside of the wings, seen from below. The round eyes and sharp beak provide contrast and focus. Brought in the early 1960´s from Burkina Faso by a nurse, hence by descent. Given the signs of wear and aging it is to be presumed this mask dates from the first half of the 20th century.
95 by 20 cm.