Kpan Rejoicing Mask - Baule - Côte d'Ivoire
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Baoule wooden mask from Côte d'Ivoire, titled Masque de réjouissance Kpan, measuring 305 mm high, 195 mm wide and 110 mm deep, in good condition and sold without a stand.
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Description from the seller
Ivory Coast
Baoulé
Wood
Height: 305 mm
Width: 195 mm
Depth: 110 mm
African wooden mask of the Baoulé ethnicity from Ivory Coast.
Collected in Bouaké in central Ivory Coast.
This mask is a classic example of a Baoulé entertainment mask from Ivory Coast, more specifically linked to the categories of so-called portrait or social rejoicing masks.
It presents the typical aesthetics of the Baoulé people: very fine and symmetrical facial features, a heart- or oval-shaped face with a dark patina, half-closed eyes highlighted with white kaolin, and a meticulously sculpted coiffure in the form of a striped crest, adorned with a central squared braid that falls toward the nose bridge.
In Baoulé tradition, this type of mask had several central functions:
1. Rejoicing and entertainment dances (Kpan / Gbagba)
The primary function of these human-face masks is theatrical and festive.
A secular and public art: Unlike the sacred or terrifying masks of other ethnic groups, this mask is intended to be seen by the whole community (men, women, and children). It is worn during major village celebrations, visits by distinguished guests, or market days.
The mime and parody: Accompanied by musicians, the dancer concealed under a textile costume imitates, parodies, or caricatures real village figures or animals through dynamic choreography, with the aim of amusing the crowd.
2. The idealized “portrait” of a community member
A notable feature of Baoulé masks in this category is their link to living people:
An artistic tribute: These masks are often commissioned to honor a man or woman from the village renowned for physical beauty, moral integrity, intelligence, or artistic talents.
The criteria of beauty and wisdom: Arched eyebrows, a high forehead, and the calm, half-closed eyes express inner wisdom, dignity, and respect, fundamental values in Baoulé society.
3. The function of social cohesion and commemoration
Although mainly used for entertainment, these masks can reappear during funerary ceremonies for notable figures or distinguished former dancers to honor their memory and help soothe the village in mourning.
By gathering residents around a shared aesthetic performance, the mask softens rivalries and strengthens the social fabric.
Functional detail: the back of the mask clearly reveals the sculpting technique: a hollowed wood to fit the dancer’s face, side holes to attach fabric or a hidden vegetal border concealing the head, and two neat horizontal slits under the sculpted eyelids, essential for the wearer to see and perform the choreography safely.
This mask is representative of Baoulé art, balancing forms and volumes with finely sculpted details.
The Baoulé are one of the most important ethnic groups in Ivory Coast. Their name reflects their origin: according to a legend, Queen Aba Pokou led her people in an exodus toward the gold-mining regions in the 18th century; she had to sacrifice her son to the river god in order to cross it. From then on the people were called the “Bauli,” meaning: “the son is dead.”
Baoulé artists produced many works of art and remain very active today. Through their sense of stylization and attention to detail, they have created works that stand among the most elegant African objects. The Baoulé created masks, statues, figurines, fetishes, combs, chairs, weaving looms pulleys, canes, stone-tipped spears, slings, ointment boxes, oracle boxes, divination boxes, carved doors, bead necklaces, and gold and bronze jewelry worn during major ceremonies.
Packages are shipped from Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in France in 1 to 3 days via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days throughout the European Union.
Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo international.
We speak English
Mask African art African mask art arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue African art Statue of African art arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateIvory Coast
Baoulé
Wood
Height: 305 mm
Width: 195 mm
Depth: 110 mm
African wooden mask of the Baoulé ethnicity from Ivory Coast.
Collected in Bouaké in central Ivory Coast.
This mask is a classic example of a Baoulé entertainment mask from Ivory Coast, more specifically linked to the categories of so-called portrait or social rejoicing masks.
It presents the typical aesthetics of the Baoulé people: very fine and symmetrical facial features, a heart- or oval-shaped face with a dark patina, half-closed eyes highlighted with white kaolin, and a meticulously sculpted coiffure in the form of a striped crest, adorned with a central squared braid that falls toward the nose bridge.
In Baoulé tradition, this type of mask had several central functions:
1. Rejoicing and entertainment dances (Kpan / Gbagba)
The primary function of these human-face masks is theatrical and festive.
A secular and public art: Unlike the sacred or terrifying masks of other ethnic groups, this mask is intended to be seen by the whole community (men, women, and children). It is worn during major village celebrations, visits by distinguished guests, or market days.
The mime and parody: Accompanied by musicians, the dancer concealed under a textile costume imitates, parodies, or caricatures real village figures or animals through dynamic choreography, with the aim of amusing the crowd.
2. The idealized “portrait” of a community member
A notable feature of Baoulé masks in this category is their link to living people:
An artistic tribute: These masks are often commissioned to honor a man or woman from the village renowned for physical beauty, moral integrity, intelligence, or artistic talents.
The criteria of beauty and wisdom: Arched eyebrows, a high forehead, and the calm, half-closed eyes express inner wisdom, dignity, and respect, fundamental values in Baoulé society.
3. The function of social cohesion and commemoration
Although mainly used for entertainment, these masks can reappear during funerary ceremonies for notable figures or distinguished former dancers to honor their memory and help soothe the village in mourning.
By gathering residents around a shared aesthetic performance, the mask softens rivalries and strengthens the social fabric.
Functional detail: the back of the mask clearly reveals the sculpting technique: a hollowed wood to fit the dancer’s face, side holes to attach fabric or a hidden vegetal border concealing the head, and two neat horizontal slits under the sculpted eyelids, essential for the wearer to see and perform the choreography safely.
This mask is representative of Baoulé art, balancing forms and volumes with finely sculpted details.
The Baoulé are one of the most important ethnic groups in Ivory Coast. Their name reflects their origin: according to a legend, Queen Aba Pokou led her people in an exodus toward the gold-mining regions in the 18th century; she had to sacrifice her son to the river god in order to cross it. From then on the people were called the “Bauli,” meaning: “the son is dead.”
Baoulé artists produced many works of art and remain very active today. Through their sense of stylization and attention to detail, they have created works that stand among the most elegant African objects. The Baoulé created masks, statues, figurines, fetishes, combs, chairs, weaving looms pulleys, canes, stone-tipped spears, slings, ointment boxes, oracle boxes, divination boxes, carved doors, bead necklaces, and gold and bronze jewelry worn during major ceremonies.
Packages are shipped from Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in France in 1 to 3 days via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days throughout the European Union.
Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo international.
We speak English
Mask African art African mask art arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue African art Statue of African art arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Indigenous object name
Kpan Rejoicing Mask
Ethnic group/ culture
Baule
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Sold by
