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Mossi Original Giant Plank Mask — Burkina Faso
Mossi Original Giant Plank Mask — Burkina Faso
Regular price
$470.00 USD
Regular price
Sale price
$470.00 USD
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Origin: Burkina Faso — Mossi peoples
Height: 126 cm
Material: Carved wood, natural pigment (dark ground with ochre painted motifs)
Condition: Age-consistent surface wear; small nail/tack visible at the base of the face (possibly old repair or attachment point); stable wood structure throughout
About this piece:
An impressive, monumental Mossi plank mask, its towering superstructure rising in a series of openwork geometric panels above the face. The upper sections are carved with rhythmic triangular and lattice patterning, pierced through to create bold silhouettes, while the central column below is decorated with a twisted rope-like motif running down toward the face. The oval face itself is the mask's visual anchor: two large concentric-circle "eye" motifs, painted in ochre and dark pigment, dominate the surface, framed by triangular designs at the crown and chin and a vertical notched ridge running down the center. The scale of the piece — over a meter tall — reflects the dramatic visual presence such masks were designed to project during outdoor ceremonial performance, meant to be seen towering above the crowd at a distance.
Cultural Significance:
Monumental plank masks of this scale are among the most visually striking objects in Mossi ceremonial life, danced during major funerary rites, initiation ceremonies, and agricultural festivals tied to ancestor veneration across the Mossi regions of Burkina Faso. The height and geometric complexity of the superstructure were not purely decorative — the vertical elaboration allowed the mask to be seen from far across an open ceremonial ground, reinforcing its role as a powerful, highly visible link between the community and ancestral or protective spirits. The concentric-circle eye motifs are a recurring and significant device in Mossi (and related Gurunsi and Nuna) mask painting, often read as symbols of vigilance, spiritual sight, or protective watchfulness over the community. A mask of this scale and complexity would have required a skilled, experienced carver and likely held significant status within its originating village.
Notes for Collectors
This is a substantial, gallery-scale piece; buyers should plan for appropriate display space and secure mounting given its height and weight.
Recommended care: keep away from direct sunlight and high humidity to protect the painted surface; dust gently with a soft, dry brush only.
Height: 126 cm
Material: Carved wood, natural pigment (dark ground with ochre painted motifs)
Condition: Age-consistent surface wear; small nail/tack visible at the base of the face (possibly old repair or attachment point); stable wood structure throughout
About this piece:
An impressive, monumental Mossi plank mask, its towering superstructure rising in a series of openwork geometric panels above the face. The upper sections are carved with rhythmic triangular and lattice patterning, pierced through to create bold silhouettes, while the central column below is decorated with a twisted rope-like motif running down toward the face. The oval face itself is the mask's visual anchor: two large concentric-circle "eye" motifs, painted in ochre and dark pigment, dominate the surface, framed by triangular designs at the crown and chin and a vertical notched ridge running down the center. The scale of the piece — over a meter tall — reflects the dramatic visual presence such masks were designed to project during outdoor ceremonial performance, meant to be seen towering above the crowd at a distance.
Cultural Significance:
Monumental plank masks of this scale are among the most visually striking objects in Mossi ceremonial life, danced during major funerary rites, initiation ceremonies, and agricultural festivals tied to ancestor veneration across the Mossi regions of Burkina Faso. The height and geometric complexity of the superstructure were not purely decorative — the vertical elaboration allowed the mask to be seen from far across an open ceremonial ground, reinforcing its role as a powerful, highly visible link between the community and ancestral or protective spirits. The concentric-circle eye motifs are a recurring and significant device in Mossi (and related Gurunsi and Nuna) mask painting, often read as symbols of vigilance, spiritual sight, or protective watchfulness over the community. A mask of this scale and complexity would have required a skilled, experienced carver and likely held significant status within its originating village.
Notes for Collectors
This is a substantial, gallery-scale piece; buyers should plan for appropriate display space and secure mounting given its height and weight.
Recommended care: keep away from direct sunlight and high humidity to protect the painted surface; dust gently with a soft, dry brush only.
Product features
Product features
Materials and care
Materials and care
Merchandising tips
Merchandising tips
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