id: 286706
accession number: 2016.56
share license status: CC0
url: https://clevelandart.org/art/2016.56
updated: 2023-03-20 10:12:35.114000
Ram Mask (Bolo), possibly early 1900s. Africa, West Africa, Burkina Faso, Bobo-style blacksmith-carver. Wood and paint; overall: 45 x 36 x 36 cm (17 11/16 x 14 3/16 x 14 3/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, René and Odette Delenne Collection, Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund 2016.56
title: Ram Mask (Bolo)
title in original language:
series:
series in original language:
creation date: possibly early 1900s
creation date earliest: 1900
creation date latest: 1920
current location: 108A Sub-Saharan
creditline: René and Odette Delenne Collection, Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund
copyright:
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culture: Africa, West Africa, Burkina Faso, Bobo-style blacksmith-carver
technique: Wood and paint
department: African Art
collection: African Art
type: Mask
find spot:
catalogue raisonne:
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CREATORS
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measurements: Overall: 45 x 36 x 36 cm (17 11/16 x 14 3/16 x 14 3/16 in.)
state of the work:
edition of the work:
support materials:
inscriptions:
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CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
title: Art d’Afrique dans les collections belges
opening date: 1963-06-29T04:00:00
Art d’Afrique dans les collections belges. Royal Museum for Central Africa (June 29-October 30, 1963).
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LEGACY EXHIBITIONS
* Kunsthaus Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland (October 31, 1970 - February 10, 1971)
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PROVENANCE
Jeanne Raguin, Golfe-Juan, France, sold to René and Odette Delenne
date: ?–1962
footnotes:
citations:
René [1901-1998] and Odette Delenne [1925-2012], Brussels, Belgium, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art
date: 1962–2016
footnotes:
citations:
The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
date: 2016–
footnotes:
citations:
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fun fact:
The mask was vividly painted while in use. Look closely at its surface to see traces of blue, red, and white paint.
digital description:
Bolo masks are primarily danced for entertainment during communal occasions like funerals, male initiations, and harvest celebrations. Comprising both animal and human features, the mask––always worn by a male dancer––refers to the cultural significance of the ram, an animal associated with male aggression across sub-Saharan Africa.
wall description:
Bolo masks are primarily danced for entertainment during communal occasions like funerals, male initiations, and harvest celebrations. Comprising both animal and human features, the mask––always worn by a male dancer––refers to the cultural significance of the ram, an animal associated with male aggression across sub-Saharan Africa.
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RELATED WORKS
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CITATIONS
Maesen, Alebert, et al. Art d’Afrique dans les collections belges, cat. 21. Exh. Cat. Tervuren: Royal Museum for Central Africa, June 29-October 30, 1963.
page number: cat. 21
url:
Leuzinger, Elsy. Die Kunst von Schwarz-Afrika, cat. C6. Exh. Cat. Recklinghausen: Verlag Aurel Bongers, in association with Kunsthaus Zürich, October 31, 1970-February 10, 1971.
page number: cat. C6
url:
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IMAGES
web: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/2016.56/2016.56_web.jpg
print: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/2016.56/2016.56_print.jpg
full: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/2016.56/2016.56_full.tif