Guro mask - teacher - Côte d'Ivoire

A very fine, tribally used carved wooden mask abstractly shaped in the form of an antelope. It has long curved horns and wide, almost rounded eyes. The entire mask is painted in gloss paint, quite possibly of the type used in maritime trade. The mask was secured during tribal rituals with an added bent twig that the wearer held with his clenched jaw. There are 11 additional holes where a cloth head covering would have been attached.

Provenance: Argiles Collection, Barcelona