Baule, Ivory Coast: Mask of the ‘portrait mask’ type.
A female mask of originally light wood. The face is dyed black. Probably one of the so-called ‘portrait masks’ characterising specific members of the local village community on the occasion of festive dances. The present mask has a very high, smooth forehead, surmounted by a hairstyle of geometric lines and jagged bands carved in flat relief. At the top of the head a crest made of three openwork spikes. The face presents eyebrows accentuated by short crosslines, slit eyes under heavy lids, scarification marks to both temples, small ears, a protruding, small, round mouth, the stylistically typical jagged border and four decorative nails made of brass, as an interesting contrast to the black hue of the mask. With good, old usage patina, as well as with minor age damage (to the mouth and on the back rim, minor tears). H: 29 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance: Czech private collection.
Literature: 'Baule. African Art - Western Eyes' by Susan M. Vogel, ill. p. 7, 135, 141, 146, 161, 162 et al.; 'African Art in American Collections' by Robbins & Nooter, ill. 357 to 360.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
24.03.2014 - 16:00
- Estimate:
-
EUR 3,600.- to EUR 4,200.-
Baule, Ivory Coast: Mask of the ‘portrait mask’ type.
A female mask of originally light wood. The face is dyed black. Probably one of the so-called ‘portrait masks’ characterising specific members of the local village community on the occasion of festive dances. The present mask has a very high, smooth forehead, surmounted by a hairstyle of geometric lines and jagged bands carved in flat relief. At the top of the head a crest made of three openwork spikes. The face presents eyebrows accentuated by short crosslines, slit eyes under heavy lids, scarification marks to both temples, small ears, a protruding, small, round mouth, the stylistically typical jagged border and four decorative nails made of brass, as an interesting contrast to the black hue of the mask. With good, old usage patina, as well as with minor age damage (to the mouth and on the back rim, minor tears). H: 29 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance: Czech private collection.
Literature: 'Baule. African Art - Western Eyes' by Susan M. Vogel, ill. p. 7, 135, 141, 146, 161, 162 et al.; 'African Art in American Collections' by Robbins & Nooter, ill. 357 to 360.
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: | 24.03.2014 - 16:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 18.03. - 24.03.2014 |