Dagger with Sheath and Female Figure
Mossi, Central / North Central Burkina Faso
Brass, iron, leather, wood
Early 20th century
The leatherwork on this sheath is typical of the workmanship in Kaya, the renowned center of Mossi leatherworking. This blade was reportedly collected to the north of Kaya, near Bourzanga. The fine embossing on the sheath and the cascade of fringe suggest that this knife existed for display and symbolism. The figure on the brass head has an animal-like head that wears the traditional Mossi crested hairstyle – the gyonfo – and Mossi-like rings around the top of its neck. The torso is modeled with nubile rather than the more typical mature breasts (Roy, Land of the Flying Masks, 2007).
Published: Roy, Land of the Flying Masks, plate 17.
As pictured on stand 17 in :: 43 cm
InventoryID #13-2010
SOLD