Nunuma · Burkina Faso
Nunuma Mask
Wood
Height: 14.75 inches
Description
Nunuma or Bwa monkey mask from Burkina Faso, the recessed face with a low, overhanging forehead, a slender prominent nose, a square, jutting mouth with carved teeth, and eyes consisting of concentric circles. Faded ochre and white colors remain.
Provenance
Amyas Naegele, New York
Condition
Some damage, cracks, losses and surface abrasions.
Price$2,100
Payment arranged directly with the gallery
Ten-day examination period
There is something almost elemental and otherworldly about this mask. Its enormous concentric eyes seem to draw the viewer inward, while the rigid central axis divides the face with an almost architectural severity. Against this geometry, the open mouth and exposed teeth introduce something more visceral—an expression that feels both threatening and strangely alive. The mask’s power lies in the tension between order and distortion. Circles, planes, and lines are arranged with discipline, yet the proportions are exaggerated, giving the face an uncanny presence. The heavy crown seems to press downward, while the projecting features push outward toward the viewer. The worn surface of the mask—layered with traces of black, red, and ochre—only deepens the effect. Although time has softened some of its edges, the mask’s visual impact remains intact.