Bete, Ivory Coast: An old mask of the northern Bete, with decorative nails and beard.
A Bete mask made of light-coloured wood, coloured black and brown on the front side. The masks of the Bete often display the unmistakable stylistic influence of neighbouring tribes, such as the Guro, Ngere and Dan. Thus, the present piece features the hairstyle and small mouth of the Guro, as well as the vertical line in relief running from the top of the head across the forehead to the nose, as the stylistic ‘inheritance’ of the Dan. With finely lined and hatched hairstyle, conspicuously embellished with 28 brass decorative nails on the high forehead, slit eyes, a small, rectangular mouth with sketched teeth and with a ‘beard’ made of four turned plant fibre strands. A visibly very old piece with good usage patina (especially on the back and on the inside!), some small old pieces broken off on the back rim. First third of the 20th century; H: 40 cm (with beard). (ME)
Provenance: Belgian collection.
Lit.: ‘The Tribal Arts of Africa’ by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, ill. p. 43; ‘Die Kunst des schwarzen Afrika’ by Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, ill. 370, 375; ‘African Art in American Collections’ by Robbins & Nooter, ill. 334.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
05.11.2014 - 13:00
- Realized price: **
-
EUR 1,875.-
- Estimate:
-
EUR 3,000.- to EUR 3,600.-
Bete, Ivory Coast: An old mask of the northern Bete, with decorative nails and beard.
A Bete mask made of light-coloured wood, coloured black and brown on the front side. The masks of the Bete often display the unmistakable stylistic influence of neighbouring tribes, such as the Guro, Ngere and Dan. Thus, the present piece features the hairstyle and small mouth of the Guro, as well as the vertical line in relief running from the top of the head across the forehead to the nose, as the stylistic ‘inheritance’ of the Dan. With finely lined and hatched hairstyle, conspicuously embellished with 28 brass decorative nails on the high forehead, slit eyes, a small, rectangular mouth with sketched teeth and with a ‘beard’ made of four turned plant fibre strands. A visibly very old piece with good usage patina (especially on the back and on the inside!), some small old pieces broken off on the back rim. First third of the 20th century; H: 40 cm (with beard). (ME)
Provenance: Belgian collection.
Lit.: ‘The Tribal Arts of Africa’ by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, ill. p. 43; ‘Die Kunst des schwarzen Afrika’ by Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, ill. 370, 375; ‘African Art in American Collections’ by Robbins & Nooter, ill. 334.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 05.11.2014 - 13:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 31.10. - 05.11.2014 |
** Purchase price incl. buyer's premium and VAT
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