Face Mask (Kanaga)

Description

At a dama funeral, a towering plank mask known as sirige (an example of which is displayed nearby) appears after the performance of several cross-shaped kanaga masks. Admired for the vigorously sweeping movements of its dancer, kanaga is worn with a colorful costume that includes a plaited fiber hood and cowrie-shell-covered vest. It appears in groups that range from a few masks to as many as 70.

Provenance

Herbert Baker (died 2001), Chicago and Los Angeles, CA, by 1978; sold to Neal Ball, Chicago, IL, May, 1978 [according to note in curatorial file]; given to the Art Institute, 2000.

Face Mask (Kanaga)

Dogon

Early to mid–20th century

Accession Number

120819

Medium

Wood, pigment, and fiber

Dimensions

105.4 × 55.9 × 19.7 cm (41 1/2 × 22 × 7 3/4 in.)

Classification

masks

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Neal Ball in honor of Wilbur Tuggle