The Bete live in central Ivory Coast. Their western neighbours are the Guéré (or Ngere) and Wé, from whom they have borrowed some stylistic features of their art. These are, for example, the broad protruding and abrupt offset forehead, 'horns' in the face and the accentuated mouth. Nonetheless, a recognisable, ‘classical’ mask type developed among the Bete, as the present specimen clearly exemplifies: the ‘arch’ above the forehead is continuous, the eyes are slit coffee bean eyes, the nose continues into the two spiralling ‘horns’ on the cheeks, and the hemispheric protruding mouth is relatively small (compared to Ngere masks).
The present Bete mask consists of medium-weight wood. The deep-set face and the 'horns' are white (by means of kaolin), the remaining areas dyed a dark brown colour. The forehead, the 'bow', the nose, the 'horns' and the upper lip are covered with shiny decorative nails. Inserted at the crown is a smaller, old iron bow.
A slight loss to the lower rim at the back. Otherwise no damage. A stylistically perfect piece with good usage patina (also on the inside).
First half of the 20th century; H: c. 35 cm.

Provenance: Alexander Posch Collection, Graz (for a more detailed explanation see cat. no. 7). (ME)

Lit.: 'Trésors de Cote d'Ivoire' by Francois Neyt, fig. 48; 'Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture' by K.-F. Schädler, fig. p. 99.