Mblo mask of rejoicing - Baule - Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d'Ivoire Baoulé Wood Height: 285mm Width: 180mm Depth: 120mm This wooden mask comes from the Baoulé people, an ethnic group of Ivory Coast (West Africa) belonging to the great Akan cultural family. Baoulé art is universally admired for its refinement, the meticulous treatment of its surfaces and the constant pursuit of a serene harmony that reflects the moral virtues of society. 1. Stylistic and Aesthetic Characteristics This piece is a classic example of the balance and formal elegance characteristic of Baoulé sculptors: • The oval face and patina: The mask features a perfectly oval face with a high, open forehead. The carved wood benefits from a dark, smooth, semi-gloss patina, evidence of the care given to polishing the piece. • The eyes and eyebrows: The eyebrows are two perfect arches, finely incised with small oblique lines imitating hair. They join to form a long, straight, very fine nasal ridge. The almond-shaped eyes are half-closed, almost lowered, a typical attitude of Baoulé statuary expressing inwardness, reserve, and dignity. • The mouth and stylized beard: The mouth is small, sculpted in slight relief at the lower part of the face, lips pressed together. The contour of the jaw and chin is emphasized by a continuous jagged frieze symbolizing a stylized beard, a mark of wisdom and maturity. • The hairstyle and the superstructure: The top of the forehead is delineated by a triangular border engraved with geometric chevron motifs representing a braided hairstyle. The mask is especially distinguished by its superstructure: two sculpted elements evoking receptacles or small ritual mortars, adorned at their top with a frieze of chevrons, an adornment that enhances the prestige of the character. • The reverse and the mounting system: At the back, the hollowing is well marked to fit the wearer's face. The eyes are cut out for visibility. An important technical detail is visible: a fine transverse wood rod is securely fixed in the lower part. The dancer would grip it between his teeth to keep the mask firmly pressed against his face during the movements of the dance. 2. Use and Ritual Function: The Mblo Dance Mask Among the Baoulé, this anthropomorphic mask belongs to the category of entertainment masks, more specifically associated with Mblo (or Gbagba) festivities: • Tribute to an individual: Unlike Ivory Coast sacred masks that embody formidable powers of the bush, Mblo masks celebrate human beauty and often honor a living and esteemed member of the community (most often a woman renowned for her grace, uprightness, or dancing talents). The mask is an idealized version, not a realistic portrait, of the honored person. • Celebrations and social cohesion: The mask bearer performs on the public village square during major dance festivals, post-harvest rejoicings, or funerals of notable people. He is accompanied by musicians and often by the person the mask is supposed to represent. • The performance: Clad in a draped cloth costume that fully conceals his body, the dancer executes rhythmic steps and theatrical parodies. This profane ritual allows tensions in the village to be released, to celebrate community life, and to publicly honor the moral and aesthetic qualities of an individual. Packages are shipped from Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number. Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France by Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union. Delivery in the rest of Europe and worldwide by Colissimo International. We speak english Mask african art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano

Estimation:€150

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