The Niabwa are a small ethnic group in west-central Ivory Coast. The are neighbours of the Ngere and the Bété (some view the Niabwa as a sub-group of the Bété).
The present, large mask is attributed to the Niabwa. It is a composite mask, composed of parts of the human face and of animals. With two horns above, on which a bell hangs, and a bulging forehead, which is set with rows made of decorative brass nails. Below lie the slightly curved, slit eyes. From both cheeks extend two large ‘tusks’ (of a warthog?), also set with decorative nails, reaching far beyond the extremely wide nose. The broad mouth, originally outlined with animal fur, displays a lower, movable hinged jaw and two rows of teeth of inserted iron pins. From the cheeks down to below the round chin, the mask is festooned with a fabric strip with many animal teeth, bells and carved bone spikes. A mask with an expressively aggressive effect, carved from hard, heavy, light-coloured wood and coloured in black on the front. Conforming completely to the style of this tribal group (Niabwa, Bété, Ngere, Kran etc.) in central Ivory Coast. With two minimal breaks to the back rim and with a good, old usage patina (also on the back, on the inside).
Height: c. 44 cm (with hanging); c. 33 cm (the mask alone); width: c. 20 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Austrian private collection.

Lit.: ‘Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture’ by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 461.