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"Cow Head - Bidjogo Tribe Portuguese Guinea, " Painted Wood from Africa

circa 1900

$24,300
£18,438.28
€21,082.53
CA$33,940.51
A$37,737.23
CHF 19,704.30
MX$459,353.98
NOK 251,418.28
SEK 235,566.91
DKK 157,342.77
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About the Item

"Cow Head" is an animal sculpture by an unknown Bidjogo artist. The artist used painted wood, rope, animal horns, and plastic to make this naturalistic mask. 19" x 17" x 18" mask Several types of statues are carved to house the spirits of ancestors. Seated figures are usually used for divination and magic. Two main types of masks are used in initiation. Bull masks and shark or swordfish masks are very naturalistic. Very little is known about the origins of the Bidyogo tribe, their language definitely connects them with the current occupants of the coastal mainland. It is known that at one time mainland peoples related to the Bidyogo extended far north along the coast into present day Mauritania and were gradually forced south as a result of southward Berber movement. The earliest written references to the Bissagos Islands and the people who live on them dates to 1456, when a Portuguese explorer described them in his travels. Throughout the 17th century the islands were used as a port for ships intent on exporting slaves. In the late 19th century the archipelago was colonized as part part of Portuguese Guinea.
  • Creation Year:
    circa 1900
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)Width: 17 in (43.18 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Milwaukee, WI
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 2097d1stDibs: LU60532462813

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