SENUFO FIRESPITTER MASKS ARCHIVES, Ivory Coast

The masks below are SOLD. They are left here for reference and education purposes.

For UNSOLD Senufo Firespitter masks GO TO SENUFO FIRESPITTER MASKS PAGE

 

SENUFO, Firespitter Mask 13, 11.5" high x 17" long, SOLD

 

   SENUFO, Firespitter Mask 12, 13.5" high x 23.5" long, SOLD

  

 SENUFO, Firespitter Mask 3, 36.5" x 12.5", SOLD

 

   SENUFO, Firespitter Mask 11, 14.75" x 32", SOLD

 

   SENUFO, Firespitter Mask 14, 10.5" x 27.5", SOLD

  SENUFO, Firespitter Mask 1, SOLD

  

 SENUFO, Firespitter Mask 2, SOLD

  

 SENUFO, Firespitter Mask 4, SOLD

 

  SENUFO, Firespitter Mask 5, SOLD

   

SENUFO, Firespitter Mask 6, SOLD

 

  SENUFO, Firespitter Mask 7 $800, SOLD

  

 SENUFO, Firespitter Mask 8,$1000, SOLD

 

   SENUFO, Firespitter Mask 12, $2000, SOLD

 

   SENUFO, Firespitter Mask 12, $2000, SOLD

Photographs ©Hamill Gallery

SENUFO, FIRESPITTER MASKS, Ivory Coast

These large horizontal masks, composites of several animals, were called Kponungo, or "funeral head masks". The term "Firespitter" is used by outsiders. Used by both Poro and non-Poro male societies, these helmet masks embodied an aggressive supernatural power to combat any forces that might disrupt the well-being of the community. The powerful features of antelopes, buffaloes, crocodiles, warthogs, hornbills, chameleons and humans combined to symbolize power and to recall important myths. They were used in anti-witchcraft ceremonies.

Numbers 7, 12 and 13 are Gbon Masks, simpler and danced at funerals to control and guide the soul of the deceased.

Most of these Senufo "firespitter" masks show no evidence of age or use and were probably made to be sold.

GO TO SENUFO FIRESPITTER MASKS PAGE

GO TO SENUFO ART PAGE

GO TO SENUFO MASKS PAGE

GO TO SENUFO HORNBILLS PAGE

GO TO SENUFO HORNBILLS ARCHIVES PAGE (ALL SOLD)

GO TO SENUFO MATERNITY FIGURES PAGE

GO TO SENUFO BEDS ARCHIVES PAGE (ALL SOLD)

GO TO SENUFO DOORS PAGE

GO TO SENUFO DRUMS PAGE

GO TO SENUFO STOOLS PAGE

GO TO NEW ADDITIONS PAGE

GO TO MASKS PAGE

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