Mask - Yaure - Côte d'Ivoire

The Yohouré mask: An Elegant Mediation Between the Visible and the Invisible
Originating from the Baoulé and Guro peoples of Côte d’Ivoire, the Yohouré mask stands out for its aesthetic refinement and ritual function. Carved from light wood, it features delicate lines, an elaborate hairstyle, and a smooth patina, often enhanced with natural pigments. Unlike masks used for war or hunting, the Yohouré embodies ideal beauty and social peace.
Used during funerary ceremonies and agricultural festivities, it honors the ancestors while celebrating the cyclical rebirth of life. Its graceful dances, performed by initiates, symbolize the harmony between the living and the spirits. The mask, often associated with poetic chants, reminds us that art is a sacred language, a bridge between the tangible and the invisible.
Thus, the Yohouré illustrates a philosophy where formal elegance serves as a vehicle for transcendence.

Presentation of our expertise house

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

We regularly assist with liquidations, successions and dispersals of collections, in collaboration with individuals and families in Belgium and neighboring countries. Our approach is rigorous, transparent and accessible, with many sales offered without reserve prices.

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

Shipping is ensured 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.