Large Bobo Helmet Mask From Burkina Faso

Large Bobo helmet mask, painted with earth pigments; height 67 cm, not including its custom-made base. In good condition, with minor chips at the mouth and along the rim; an antique mask from the early 20th century. Bobo masks are very rare, especially this model. Bobo masks are made either from foliage or from three types of wood, including this one, known as “bolo.” It shows signs of wear and marks from costumes on the perforated rim. 
It has been attributed to the Zara, a Bobo subgroup that does not practice agriculture; it is a celebratory mask. Made of fairly heavy hardwood.
The glare in the photos is due to the strong lighting used to show the items as clearly as possible; the objects are darker in reality.
From a very beautiful collection assembled by expatriates who lived in Africa in the 1950s and 1960s and later passed down through inheritance, and while this isn’t always the case, these cultured individuals took the time to carefully select their pieces on-site; they are all superb and antique, and I have several for sale.
Feel free to contact me to ask for more information or to negotiate—it’s part of my job, and I’m happy to do it!