Tribal Art

Senoufo Poniugo hema mask, Wanyugo (N° 13774)

Ex-Belgian African art collection.
Two long, toothed mouths on either side of a rounded volume form this mask wanyugo two-headed senoufo , which belonged to the company wabele , active against witchcraft. Circular eyes are hollowed out only on one side. Small horns are placed at the top. One of the faces still has small nails, which probably allowed to attach accessories such as feathers or raffia. These powerful masks, often an amalgam of different zoomorphic elements, embody hybrid beings, their components can evoke both buffalo, hyena, warthog, antelope. They were preciously kept in a particular square, or in the sacred wood with the magical objects of the Poro. The piece features colorful dotted patterns, patinated and abraded by time. Living in a reserved neighbourhood, the sculptor sennufo , whose training spanned seven years, began with the making of everyday objects, and then, little by little, carried sculptures of increasing size. Initiatory rituals complemented his learning. A piece from the vast collection of Mr. Jean Charles Mercier, which was started at the beginning of the 20th century by his grandfather Guy, a consultant for the Solvay group. While radiating in West and Central Africa as part of his work, and collecting in-situ works, the majority of his collection nevertheless comes from \