A beautiful, old Baule mask of the ‘Kpan Pre’ type. This mask type belongs to a group of four different masks. These masks are worn and danced with by the Baule people (in pairs) at large dance ceremonies in honour of the buffalo god Goli. The present mask belongs to the ‘Kpan Pre’ type of the Goli dances. It depicts a young girl (often with horns). It is made of carved light-coloured wood and dyed black and brown.
Only the insides of the ears (on the outer sides of the horns) and the eyes are white. It has two angular horns at the top that curve towards the back and a well-proportioned and calm face in the typical Baule style. The lines around the edge of the hairstyle are drawn in delicate, arched relief, as are the typical protruding eyebrow arches. The scarification marks, typical of the tribe, are carved out around the base of the nose and on the temples (to the ears, interestingly the second pair of ears on this mask).
The eyes have heavy lids, under which are small, narrow eye slits for the dancers. The nose is slender and long, the mouth is open and somewhat protruding. The chin and cheeks are surrounded by a ‘beard’ – this is a popular decorative element among the Baule carvers (the mask itself is female). The undyed edge of the mask displays good, and frequently used, fastening eyelets for the mask costume (above) and for the bite bar for the masked dancer (below).
A perfect and skilfully crafted Baule ‘Kpan-Pre mask’ with only small, age-related damage (a minimal fracture under the left cheek and on the lower right ear). Otherwise it is in excellent condition; no damage and very good usage patina on the front and back (inside). Height: c. 40 cm; width: 16.5 cm. First half of the 20th century (ME)

Provenance:
German private collection.

Lit.:
'Baule. African Art - Western Eyes' by Susan M. Vogel, ill. p. 175, 182.