~ Wooden Helmet Mask w/ Bill ~

Hi All, I don't have a clue on this one. It came from a large collection that had many really nice old pieces as well as many fakes. Looks old. Any ideas?











Thanks for looking.

 

Platypus? Or possibly an alligator.

 

It's a traditional style mask made by the Mambila people of Cameroon. It is usually simply described as an "animal mask."
This one seems to be missing its lower jaw, an eye, and a horn.

Even Sotheby's catalog description says it "has zoomorphic features which are difficult to associate with any one specific animal." But it is traditionally depicted with ears, horns, an open mouth with with teeth, and protruding eyes.

It's also important to realize that sometimes images in masks are of creatures who are very "real," in a sense, but may be unknown to people outside the culture, and may not even exist elsewhere.

 

It's sometimes called a dog mask ( helmet ) ......& not a particularly good one either...

Here's an old one....good one..




& another superb carving.......



& the more touristy model...

 

Thanks Taupou and komokwa!

It was tossed into a pile at the auction, so I have nothing in it. It does have value to me because I learned something from it. Really enjoyed seeing images of the real ones. (Now I want one with a cow/buffalo.)