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Helmet Mask (Kono Kun)

A work made of wood, horn, quills, and sacrificial material.

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  • A work made of wood, horn, quills, and sacrificial material.

Date:

Early to mid-20th century

Artist:

Bamana
Mali
Northern Africa and the Sahel

About this artwork

Led by griots (musicians/storytellers) with an ability to mediate spiritual energy, the name Kono designates one of several Bamana power associations—organizations restricted by age and profession. This type of helmet mask, locally known as Kono kun (Kono head), is danced to control antisocial behavior. Stored in a shrine when not performed, the mask’s carved features and real animal attachments such as horns and quills create a composite entity whose powers derive from the natural world it references.

Status

On View, Gallery 137

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Bamana

Title

Helmet Mask (Kono Kun)

Place

Mali (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1900–1975

Medium

Wood, horn, quills, and sacrificial material

Dimensions

22.9 × 103.5 × 28.6 cm (9 × 40 3/4 × 11 1/4 in.)

Credit Line

Through prior gifts of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Chapman, Dr. H. Van de Waal; through prior acquisitions of the Robert A. Waller Fund

Reference Number

1997.62

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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