Altar mask - Baule - Côte d'Ivoire
Starting bid
€ 1
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 280 - € 330
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Description from the seller
Ivory Coast
Baoulé
Bronze
Height: 425mm
Width: 155mm
Depth: 155mm
Weight: 1700g
This mask draws directly from the statuary and goldsmith traditions of central Ivory Coast cultures (mainly Baoulé or Yaouré), but reinterpreted here in the form of prestige bronze.
Here is the real analysis of its use and meaning:
1. Stylistic decoding: Pure Ivorian codes
The morphological examination reveals beauty criteria typical of the Baoulé and Yaouré cultures:
The annulated face and neck: The treatment of the almond eyes finely incised (DSC8587_2.jpg), the small slightly open mouth imitating a chant or breath, and especially the frontal scarifications (the three vertical lines) are characteristic. The long annulated neck simulates folds of flesh, symbols of beauty, good health and maturity in Côte d'Ivoire.
The tall pointed headdress: The elongated pyramid structure covered with a geometric network of twists is inspired by wooden dance masks (such as some Gouro or Yaouré entertainment masks). It imitates the intricate braided hairstyles worn by high-ranking women or initiates during ceremonies.
2. Use and function: A prestige and power object (Amwin)
A ceremonial or parade mask: Unlike wooden pieces, this metal-heavy object was not designed to be worn on the face during frenzied ritual dances. The absence of regular mounting holes for a costume and the presence of two rear support tenons confirm its static role.
The Clan’s Treasure: Among the Baoulé (a group within the Akan cultural family), alloy objects constituted the “family treasure” or royal treasure. They were kept out of sight and only brought out on grand occasions: commemorations, funerals of notable figures, or inaugurations of chiefs. They were displayed on sacred stools or solemnly carried in hand.
The Ancestor Cult: By catching the light, the bronze materialized the immaterial presence of ancestors. Unlike wood that deteriorates, metal embodies permanence, political power stability, and continuity of lineage through time.
3. Technical aspect and patina
Regarding the back, it shows the reverse side of the casting. One can see a green oxidation patina (verdigris) due to the copper content in the alloy. The two feet or handles at the back allowed either to fix the object to a support or to hold it firmly during processions without touching the sacred face.
The parcels are shipped Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery within 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across 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 African mask art
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
Bronze
Height: 425mm
Width: 155mm
Depth: 155mm
Weight: 1700g
This mask draws directly from the statuary and goldsmith traditions of central Ivory Coast cultures (mainly Baoulé or Yaouré), but reinterpreted here in the form of prestige bronze.
Here is the real analysis of its use and meaning:
1. Stylistic decoding: Pure Ivorian codes
The morphological examination reveals beauty criteria typical of the Baoulé and Yaouré cultures:
The annulated face and neck: The treatment of the almond eyes finely incised (DSC8587_2.jpg), the small slightly open mouth imitating a chant or breath, and especially the frontal scarifications (the three vertical lines) are characteristic. The long annulated neck simulates folds of flesh, symbols of beauty, good health and maturity in Côte d'Ivoire.
The tall pointed headdress: The elongated pyramid structure covered with a geometric network of twists is inspired by wooden dance masks (such as some Gouro or Yaouré entertainment masks). It imitates the intricate braided hairstyles worn by high-ranking women or initiates during ceremonies.
2. Use and function: A prestige and power object (Amwin)
A ceremonial or parade mask: Unlike wooden pieces, this metal-heavy object was not designed to be worn on the face during frenzied ritual dances. The absence of regular mounting holes for a costume and the presence of two rear support tenons confirm its static role.
The Clan’s Treasure: Among the Baoulé (a group within the Akan cultural family), alloy objects constituted the “family treasure” or royal treasure. They were kept out of sight and only brought out on grand occasions: commemorations, funerals of notable figures, or inaugurations of chiefs. They were displayed on sacred stools or solemnly carried in hand.
The Ancestor Cult: By catching the light, the bronze materialized the immaterial presence of ancestors. Unlike wood that deteriorates, metal embodies permanence, political power stability, and continuity of lineage through time.
3. Technical aspect and patina
Regarding the back, it shows the reverse side of the casting. One can see a green oxidation patina (verdigris) due to the copper content in the alloy. The two feet or handles at the back allowed either to fix the object to a support or to hold it firmly during processions without touching the sacred face.
The parcels are shipped Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery within 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across 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 African mask art
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
Altar mask
Ethnic group/ culture
Baule
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Period
Late 20th century
Material
Bronze
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Sold by
