Exceptional mask - Baule - Côte d'Ivoire

Baoulé masks, originating from the central Côte d’Ivoire, occupy an essential place in the spiritual and social life of this people belonging to the great Akan group. Renowned for their elegance and formal balance, they are distinguished by faces with harmonious features, a domed forehead, almond-shaped eyes often half-closed, a straight nose and a finely drawn delicate mouth. The finely sculpted scarifications and elaborately designed hairstyles testify both to aesthetic ideals and to precise cultural codes.

Among the best-known types are the mask-portraits, sometimes called “ndoma,” which represent a nature spirit associated with an individual or a community. Unlike other traditions where the mask may inspire fear or terror, the Baoulé masks frequently express serenity, mastery, and inner beauty. They embody invisible forces, but in a calm and refined form, conveying the importance of the harmony between the world of the living and that of the spirits.

These masks are used during ritual ceremonies, community celebrations, funerals, or events marking important milestones in social life. Worn with costumes made of fibers, fabrics and sometimes accompanied by music and dance, they become mediators between people and the spiritual world. The masked dancer does not merely represent a spirit: he lends it body and movement, giving life to an invisible presence.

The sculpture of Baoulé masks is carved from dense wood, carefully polished, and sometimes enhanced with pigments or kaolin. Each piece embodies a craft handed down from generation to generation. Beyond their ritual function, these masks have gained international recognition for their exceptional artistic quality. They testify to a living tradition where aesthetics, spirituality, and collective identity are closely intertwined.

Introduction to our expertise firm

Based in Belgium, our appraisal and sales house specializes in African and ethnographic art. A leading seller on Catawiki for over 8 years, we enjoy a solid reputation and a track record of several hundred sales with a customer satisfaction rate close to 100%.

We regularly assist with liquidations, estates, and dispersals of collections, in collaboration with individuals and families in Belgium and neighboring countries. Our approach is designed to be rigorous, transparent and accessible, with sales often offered without a reserve price.

Some pieces that have passed through our hands have joined international private collections and, for some, museum institutions.

Shipping insured within 24 hours, with careful packaging, insurance, and tracking.
Contact 7 days a week: we remain available for any questions or requests for additional information.