Excellent Unusual Old SENUFO KPELIE Mask Ivory Coast Africa [Boston Primitive]

Description

This is a superb and quite unusual variant of the typical Senufo culture Kpelie mask from Ivory Coast or Mali. Incredibly, this very elaborate creation was carved from a single piece of wood. Wearing a somewhat malevolent expression, the face has finely detailed hairline and eyebrows, scarification, grit teeth, lip plug and goatee. No shortcuts, as one would find on a tourist piece, were taken.
What makes this mask especially interesting is the complex superstructure which consists of a male figure sitting atop the forehead embracing a pair of very large birds that appear to be pecking his crown. One leg of each bird grasps the mask's forehead; the others hold dangling, coiling snakes flanking the cheeks.
The condition is exemplary, showing only age wear and virtually no damage. There is an age crack in the left end of its base which also goes through the tip of the snake's tail on that side, but it hasn't opened up and seems to be stable. The interior is extremely thin-walled as any good Kpelie mask would be, but with no nicks or losses where often there are some. The finish is mottled reddish-brown and grey and appears to be acquired, not applied. The surface is fairly crusty, especially in the carved details. It is 14" x 8 1/2" x 3".
U.S. bidders, please. [Boston Primitive]