A large, unusual portrait mask of the Baule people, from central Ivory Coast. The carvers of the Baule people create ‘portrait masks’, such as the present one, in order to ‘caricature’ well-known members of their society on the occasion of grand dance feasts (the so-called ‘Mblo dances’) in their villages. The dancers wearing these masks and costumes theatrically praise, caricature or criticise the persons represented. Some of these popular masks also bear the names of those represented. In that case they are called ‘Ndoma masks’ (the ‘double of....’).
The present, large portrait mask is very capably carved from one piece of hard, brown wood, and dyed black on the front side. Its hairstyle consists of six encircling spheres with stylised ‘plaits’ and two ‘rings’ above the forehead. It is surmounted by a decorative crest carved from the same piece, ornamented with a bust of a woman. The oblong mask face displays the typical Baule style: with splayed eyebrow arches above slit eyes, long, narrow nose and fine, closed mouth. With typical tribal decorative scarification marks on the high forehead, on both temples, on the cheeks, and at the corners of the mouth. With small, protruding ears and an encircling serrated beard. With two fastening eyelets for the mask costume on the back rim (above) and two eyelets for a bite bar, with which the dancer affixed the mask in front of his face (at the bottom).
An unusually large portrait mask with very good, old usage patina. No damage.
Height: c. 52 cm; width: c. 20 cm.
First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
Thierry Fixe Collection, Paris; currently: Austrian private collection. According to information from the consigner, this mask originates from the Bouaké region in Ivory Coast.

Lit.:
‘Baule. African Art-Western Eyes’ by Susan M. Vogel, ill. p. 7, 27, 134, 141, 143, 147.