Baule - Côte d'Ivoire
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 220 - € 250
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Mblo mask by the Baoulé people from Côte d'Ivoire, carved in wood, with dimensions 420 × 175 × 170 mm.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Ivory Coast
Baoulé
Wood
Height: 420mm
Width: 175mm
Depth: 170mm
This anthropomorphic mask comes from the Baoulé people, a major ethnic group established in the central region of Ivory Coast. Within their rich artistic corpus, this object belongs to the category of portrait and entertainment masks, traditionally called Mblo (or Ndoma).
Origin and stylistic characteristics
Baoulé art is globally recognized for its pursuit of harmony, finesse, and symmetry. This mask type synthesizes the aesthetic canons and moral values of this society:
Inner expressiveness: The high, open forehead, the intensely arched eyebrows, and the stretched, nearly closed eyes evoke dignity, reserve, and inner peace (Blolo).
The ceremonial coiffure: The hairstyle is sculpted with extreme care, forming a tall crest finely striped and topped with a pinnacle or geometric ornament. Among the Baoulé, the coiffure is an indicator of refinement and high social rank.
Ritual scarifications (Ngole): Relief motifs enhance the face, notably at the center of the forehead (often in the form of small rectangles or bars) and near the lips. They mark initiation stages and access to cultural maturity.
The attribute of wisdom: The presence of a small outgrowth or a stylized beard under the chin refers to the authority of the elders and the wisdom acquired over time.
Use in Baoulé society
Unlike sacred and secret masks of the region (such as those of the Bonu Auen cult), which inspire fear and are forbidden to women, the Mblo mask is a tool of social cohesion and public celebration.
Entertainment and festivals: It is used during entertainment dances (Gbagba or Mblo), organized for the funerals of notable people, dignitary visits, or major village celebrations.
A personalized tribute: This type of mask is commissioned to honor a living community member, most often a woman, reputed for her physical beauty, dancing talent, or moral virtues. The mask is regarded as the spiritual double or the idealized portrait of that person.
The mechanics of the dance: To perform, the dancer secures the mask with leather or fabric straps. Inside, a horizontal wooden crossbar serves as a biting bar: the dancer clamps it between his teeth to stabilize the sculpture during rapid movements of the choreography. A wide costume of fibers and loincloths, fixed to the rim surrounding the face, completely conceals the wearer's body.
Symbolic meaning
In Baoulé country, plastic beauty is inseparable from moral goodness. This mask does not aim to reproduce exact features of an individual realistically, but to materialize their integrity and grandeur of soul.
Through the regularity of its lines, the symmetry of its forms, and the luster of its dark patina, it reminds the community of the importance of order, personal discipline, respect for elders, and the durability of traditions in the face of the world’s mutations.
This mask is representative of Baoulé art, with a balance between forms and volumes and finely carved details.
Fast and protected shipping. Parcels are sent with tracking numbers. Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days by Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union by Chronopost International. Delivery by Colissimo International to the rest of Europe and worldwide.
We speak English.
Mask african art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
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: 420mm
Width: 175mm
Depth: 170mm
This anthropomorphic mask comes from the Baoulé people, a major ethnic group established in the central region of Ivory Coast. Within their rich artistic corpus, this object belongs to the category of portrait and entertainment masks, traditionally called Mblo (or Ndoma).
Origin and stylistic characteristics
Baoulé art is globally recognized for its pursuit of harmony, finesse, and symmetry. This mask type synthesizes the aesthetic canons and moral values of this society:
Inner expressiveness: The high, open forehead, the intensely arched eyebrows, and the stretched, nearly closed eyes evoke dignity, reserve, and inner peace (Blolo).
The ceremonial coiffure: The hairstyle is sculpted with extreme care, forming a tall crest finely striped and topped with a pinnacle or geometric ornament. Among the Baoulé, the coiffure is an indicator of refinement and high social rank.
Ritual scarifications (Ngole): Relief motifs enhance the face, notably at the center of the forehead (often in the form of small rectangles or bars) and near the lips. They mark initiation stages and access to cultural maturity.
The attribute of wisdom: The presence of a small outgrowth or a stylized beard under the chin refers to the authority of the elders and the wisdom acquired over time.
Use in Baoulé society
Unlike sacred and secret masks of the region (such as those of the Bonu Auen cult), which inspire fear and are forbidden to women, the Mblo mask is a tool of social cohesion and public celebration.
Entertainment and festivals: It is used during entertainment dances (Gbagba or Mblo), organized for the funerals of notable people, dignitary visits, or major village celebrations.
A personalized tribute: This type of mask is commissioned to honor a living community member, most often a woman, reputed for her physical beauty, dancing talent, or moral virtues. The mask is regarded as the spiritual double or the idealized portrait of that person.
The mechanics of the dance: To perform, the dancer secures the mask with leather or fabric straps. Inside, a horizontal wooden crossbar serves as a biting bar: the dancer clamps it between his teeth to stabilize the sculpture during rapid movements of the choreography. A wide costume of fibers and loincloths, fixed to the rim surrounding the face, completely conceals the wearer's body.
Symbolic meaning
In Baoulé country, plastic beauty is inseparable from moral goodness. This mask does not aim to reproduce exact features of an individual realistically, but to materialize their integrity and grandeur of soul.
Through the regularity of its lines, the symmetry of its forms, and the luster of its dark patina, it reminds the community of the importance of order, personal discipline, respect for elders, and the durability of traditions in the face of the world’s mutations.
This mask is representative of Baoulé art, with a balance between forms and volumes and finely carved details.
Fast and protected shipping. Parcels are sent with tracking numbers. Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days by Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union by Chronopost International. Delivery by Colissimo International to the rest of Europe and worldwide.
We speak English.
Mask african art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
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
Ethnic group/ culture
Baule
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Sold by
