CORDELIA DONOHOE
Cordelia Donohoe is based in London, UK, mainly specialising in adornment - jewellery, textiles and objects, from Africa, Asia and the Middle East she continues to develop her areas of interest, " I seek out rare and special items as I learn more, find intriguing items and confer with collectors and historians."
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Exhibits
A Tussian Buffalo Helmet Mask
A striking rare wooden helmet surmounted by a stylized representation of a buffalo with a pair of curving horns projecting from a flat, rectangular head, a tubular body standing on four legs. There are two large, curving horns which are attached to the helmet with leather strips.
Initiation is central to spiritual and social practices of Tussian culture in Burkina Faso. In preparation for its most important event that occurs only every forty years, initiates stay in seclusion for three months. They are in turn given the names of a variety of animals associated with tutelary spirits represented through mask forms. These masks become the property of the newly named initiates. This example consists of a wooden helmet surmounted by a stylized representation of a buffalo, an animal associated with ideas of leadership and prestige.
Burkina Faso
Mid 20th Century.
Provenance UK collection.
Stand is includedHeight w/o stand 17 inches/43 cms, width 19 inches/48 cmsHeight with stand which is attached to the helmet 23ins//58cms
weight 5.1 kg
£850
Dan Gägon (Bird Mask)
The Dan believe that ‘in’ and behind’ this world exists an essential force called dü which is usually described as a power that is present in all aspects of the world. Dü manifests itself as invisible spirits which may take the form of men or animals. There are some dü spirits which in order to realise a physical nature, must rely on men to create a tangible form for them as masks or figures. The dü causes a man to dream of it and then instructs him in the means through which it must be materialised. One type of dü spirit prefers to be manifested as a masquerade - these are the mask spirits.
Ivory Coast
A fine Dan bird mask, which would originally have had a monkey hair beard and possibly bead decoration around the head.Small split in wood over right eye.
Mid 20th Century
Supplied with standHeight w/o stand 11 ins/28 cms side profile length 10.5 ins/26cms
£550
Superb large Lozi food dish with snake
Food bowl created by the Lozi people of Zambia. Ornamental bowls like this one were used by the Lozi people of Zambia for storage. A lidded bowl with a decorative handle would be used to store food, or as a meat platter for serving meals.
length including handles 40cms
height 17cms
£750
Small Lozi food dish with duck
Lozi people, Zambia.
Length 23cms
SOLD
Banama or Bambara Tribe Mask. N'tomo
Although predominantly Muslim, both Islamic and traditional views are entwined in Banama culture. They have retained traditional initiation societies responsible for training boys to fulfill their adult roles.
Masking performances and other techniques are used to instill self-awareness, discipline, and sacred knowledge in young men. This mask is anthropomorphic in form, ie has human aspects and the horns which are part of the circumcision ceremony represent the dancers gender role. Two horns signify androgyny ie an uncircumcised male. Aluminum, which first became available with the advent of airplanes, enriches the mask's surface with cut and stamped geometric shapes.
Height without stand 12 ins/30cms
The stand can be included. It also looks striking on the wall.
£350
Spirit animal mask Burkino Faso
Dramatic fish head totem mask, Mossi Tribe, Burkino Faso. The Mossi believe their souls are connected to the animals in the totems. 20th C
Height w/o stand 77cms
£750