A large, ancient banda mask, a classic of Baga and Nalu art from the Guinea coast, an emblematic mask and representation fusing man with land and sea animals, formed from a particularly successful tangle of motifs here. The crocodile's long jaw is open, its eyes and nose protruding. It wears the elaborate headdress of the Baga and Nalu women, whose braids are represented by engraved chevron lines. It ends with a composition of two animal ears and two long antelope horns. The very fine polychrome decoration - black, red and traces of kaolin - is in a very old style, distinguished by its treatment in engraved motifs rather than in painted flat areas, as is generally the case with more modern masks. Once considered sacred, banda masks are now used in entertainment festivities and are visible to all (F. Lamp, Art of the Baga, 1996, p.146). Baga/Nalu, Guinea Wood, old pigments, wear and small chips (old breaks), very fine oxidation. old. Height: 136cm Provenance: Private collection, Paris: Private collection, Paris