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Art History Virtual Exhibition

Hornbill Butterfly Mask with Triangular Patterns: Researched by Brandellia Hang

October, 2020 by Whitney Mosley

Image of Hornbill Butterfly Mask with Triangular Patterns
Hornbill Butterfly Mask with Triangular Patterns
Bobo culture
Early 20th century
Wood and pigments
L. 1.5 m x W. 23 cm x H. 20 cm
MSU collection #2018.1.69

Bobo culture artists create large horizontal masks known as butterfly masks.  This Hornbill Butterfly Mask with Triangular Patterns incorporates all of the typical features of a traditional butterfly mask: The body is made of a long, horizontal wooden plank; the eyes are carved like a bullseye and painted white, black, and red; and the curved beak protrudes and hangs over a protruding, circular mouth.   

In Western Africa, the butterfly is considered to be a bush spirit, which is a nature spirit that takes an animal form. The butterfly is a symbol of new life that brings rain in the spring, and butterfly masks are primarily danced in annual agricultural festivals.  In addition, butterfly masks may also be used in initiations of children into adulthood and for funerary celebrations that honor high status family members and ensure their safe journey into the afterlife. Researched by Brandellia Hang

 

 

For more information, you may contact the researcher(s) noted in the title of this exhibit entry, or Dr. Billie Follensbee, the professor of the course, at BillieFollensbee@MissouriState.edu

Filed Under: 2020 Spring, ART 386: Art of Africa Tagged With: african art, bobo culture, ceremonial masks, mask

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Categories

  • 2016 Spring, ART 386: Art of Africa
  • 2017 Fall, ART/MST 488: Basic Conservation of Art and Artifacts
  • 2017 Spring, ART 485: Art of Mesoamerica
  • 2018 Spring, ART 386: Art of Africa
  • 2019 Fall, ART/MST 488: Basic Conservation of Art and Artifacts
  • 2019 Spring, ART 485: Art of Mesoamerica
  • 2020 Spring, ART 386: Art of Africa

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20th century 20th century art africa african art African basketry akua'ba american midwest american midwest ozarks culture art of africa asante culture aztec mestizo culture bamana culture basketry baule culture beadwork bonniebrook ceramics ceremonial masks conservation cote d'ivoire early 20th century early 21st century art footstone headstone kente cloth late 20th century late 20th century art mali mask maya culture maya mestizo culture metal artifacts mexican mestizo cultures ndebele culture nigeria oceania ozarks culture reproductions rose o'neill senufo culture staffs staffs of power tanzania zapotec culture zulu culture

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