African Mblo mask from the Baoulé in Ivory Coast, authentic tribal art object from Africa
  • African Mblo mask from the Baoulé in Ivory Coast, authentic tribal art object from Africa

Baule Mblo mask

Festive masks in Ivory Coast

Imposing African mask carved in dense wood. This traditional mask from Ivory Coast comes more exactly from the Baoulé ethnic group. The Baoulé artists are recognized among the other primitive arts of Africa for their very naturalistic and aesthetic artistic corpus considered as the achievement in terms of sculptural mastery.

We find the face with well-balanced features, the elongated bridge of the nose extending into symmetrical eyebrow arches. The cap is composed of several lobes and striated. Scarifications are visible on the forehead, the temples and on both sides of the mouth.

There are several types of masks among the Baoulé: some are effigies of ancestors sculpted to order, others are anonymous. The mblo mask that I propose to you here came out on the occasion of village festivities related to harvests, funeral ceremonies and initiations.

Baoulé art is quite close to that of the Yohouré and the Gouro in Côte d'Ivoire.

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Data sheet

Presumed dating
Mid XXth century
Size
45 cm
Ethnic group
Baoulé / Baulé
Material(s)
Wood
Country
Ivory Coast
Origin
Tribal art collection France
Condition
Very good

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