Skip to Content
Closed now, next open tomorrow. Closed now, next open tomorrow.

Helmet Mask (Kponyungo)

A work made of wood and pigment.

Image actions

  • A work made of wood and pigment.

Date:

19th to early 20th century

Artist:

Senufo: Senambele
Côte d’Ivoire
Northern Africa and the Sahel

About this artwork

Among the Senufo, poro is the generic name for age-grade associations whose functions include interceding with supernatural forces, honoring ancestors, and educating young people. The many elements of composite horizontal masks called kponyungo portray powerful spirits that escort the deceased to the other world and protect the community from supernatural danger. Expressing its potency in that realm, this mask’s animal references include a crocodile’s jaw, a hyena’s snout, and horns of both a ram and an antelope.

Status

On loan to Museum of Fine Arts, Houston in Houston for Living with the Gods: Art, Beliefs, and Peoples

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Senufo

Title

Helmet Mask (Kponyungo)

Place

Côte d'Ivoire (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.

1850–1950

Medium

Wood and pigment

Dimensions

27.9 × 27.3 × 102.9 cm (11 × 10 3/4 × 40 1/2 in.)

Credit Line

The Art Institute of Chicago, African and Amerindian Art Purchase Fund

Reference Number

1963.842

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.

Share

Sign up for our enewsletter to receive updates.

Learn more

Image actions

Share