Monumental 50″ Vintage Bamana Ntomo Brass-Clad 8-Tine Mask – Mali 50” x 16”

$750.00

Shop a rare 50″ vintage Bamana Ntomo brass mask from Mali. Massive hand-carved wood 8-tine comb headdress featuring embossed brass panels & inlaid mirrors. Buy now!

Description

Introduce an absolute triumph of West African metallurgical and sculptural design to your gallery with this monumental 50-inch vintage hand-carved wood and brass Ntomo mask, masterfully crafted by the Bamana people of Mali.

Central to the sacred youth initiation ceremonies of the Ntomo association, these headdresses govern the moral instruction and spiritual transition of young men before circumcision. This exceptional example features an elongated wood core entirely clad in hand-hammered, embossed sheet brass panels attached with tiny tacks. The metal overlay is meticulously detailed with traditional punched chevron borders and geometric accents that catch light beautifully.
Crowning the mask is a dramatic, architectural vertical comb featuring eight slender tines—a powerful cosmological configuration symbolizing spiritual balance—embellished with four inlaid circular mirrors designed to reflect light during ritual performances. Clothed in a gorgeous, deeply aged brass patina, this 4.1-foot sculpture stands as a premier monument to Bamana metal-and-wood craftsmanship.
Product Specifications:
  • Culture: Bamana (Bambara) Peoples
  • Country of Origin: Mali, West Africa
  • Estimated Age: Mid-20th Century (Circa 1950s–1970s)
  • Material: Heavy Indigenous Hardwood, Sheet Brass, Inlaid Glass Mirrors, Metal Tacks
  • Dimensions: 50 inches High x 11.5 inches Wide x 6.5 inches Deep
  • Condition: Excellent vintage condition. The brass cladding showcases an authentic, rich oxidized patina with light verdigris character wear. The underlying wood and glass mirror components are completely stable, original, and securely intact.

Shipping & Care Instructions

Due to the age, size, and delicate nature of this 50-inch artifact’s mixed-media elements (including fragile organic fibers, leather, and horn attachments), this piece will be professionally packed. It is double-boxed and surrounded by custom cushioning to ensure absolute safety during transit. Full insurance and tracking are included with shipment.

Care & Preservation Guidelines

To preserve the beautiful, authentic vintage patina and structural integrity of this mid-century Bamana piece, please observe the following care instructions:

  • Display Location: Keep the sculpture out of direct, intense sunlight to prevent the aged hardwood from fading or developing deeper stress fractures.
  • Climate Control: Place the statue away from direct paths of heating vents, air conditioners, or humidifiers. Drastic shifts in humidity can dry out or distort vintage organic cords and leather attachments.
  • Cleaning: Do not apply any chemical cleaners, liquid polishes, or water to the surface. To clean, simply use a soft, entirely dry microfiber cloth or a delicate brush to gently clear away dust from the wood crevices and mixed-media ornaments.

Additional information

Weight 20 lbs
Dimensions 60 × 30 × 30 in
Region

Culture

Lobi People

Origin

Burkina Faso, West Africa

Estimated Period

Mid-20th Century (Circa 1950s–1970s)

Material

Carved Hardwood, Animal Horn, Glass Trade Beads, Leather, Fiber Cord

Height

24 inches (61 cm)

Condition

Excellent vintage condition. Wood shows beautiful natural aging and minor stable cracks consistent with genuine ritual use. All mixed-media attachments are structurally intact.

Monumental 50" Vintage Bamana Ntomo Brass-Clad 8-Tine Mask – Mali 50” x 16”

$750.00