A beautiful old Warakun zoomorphic helmet mask from the Kòmò society. The large, gaping, ferocious mouth of the helm masks of the Kòmò, an important male power society (like that of the Kono), symbolizes the potential ferocity of this secret society. Kòmò masks were originally carved exclusively by blacksmiths, as the Kòmò society itself was reserved for them. The sacrificial patina of this mask, with additions of antelope horns, horsehair and particular plant fibers, bears witness to libations, sacrifices implying that the object was fed, suggesting that it was itself alive, and needed to be fed again. This example from the Hélène Leloup collection, with its very refined style, seems to be a "mother mask", which neither went out nor danced, and served as a sort of womb to give birth to other masks. Bamana (or Bambara), Mali Hardwood, horns and plant fibers, small visible chips and cracks, extensive old sacrificial and wear patina. Length: 20cm Provenance: Hélène Leloup Collection, Mali Hélène Leloup Collection, Paris Passed down through generations