Mblo mask - 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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Description from the seller
Ivory Coast
Baoulé
Wood
Height: 390mm
Width: 230mm
Depth: 160mm
This wooden anthropomorphic mask comes from the Baoulé people, located in the central region of Côte d'Ivoire. Within their rich culture, this piece falls into the category of portrait or entertainment masks, traditionally called Mblo (or Ndoma).
Origin and aesthetic characteristics of the Baoulé
Baoulé art consistently seeks balance, harmony of proportions, and finesse of detail. This mask is a perfect illustration of that through several criteria:
The expression of serenity: The high, rounded forehead sits above delicately arched eyebrows that meet at the base of the nose. Almond-shaped, half-closed eyes give the face an attitude of calm inner self, dignity, and spiritual peace.
The complex coiffure: The hair is sculpted into a tall central crest adorned with small conical projections or chevrons, flanked by two braided rolls on the sides. Among the Baoulé, the care given to the hairstyle is a clear sign of refinement and a high social rank.
Ritual scarifications (Ngole): Relief motifs or light geometric incisions structure the face. A discreet mark can be seen on the forehead, as well as small linear scarifications at either side of the mouth corners and at the eyes.
The crenellated ruff: A jagged border frames the jawline and chin, stylizing a prestige beard or a festive textile ornament.
The careful patina: The face presents a beautiful dark patina, smooth and polished from use, while the back reveals the hollowing work of the rough wood with the adze to fit the wearer’s face.
Ritual and social use: The Mblo festivities
Unlike the region's sacred and formidable masks (associated with the cults of Goli or Bonu Auen which are strictly forbidden to women's eyes), the Mblo mask has a public, theatrical, and festive function.
A entertainment dance: It appears during celebratory ceremonies (Gbagba or Mblo), organized to celebrate happy events, honor distinguished guests, or pace the funerals of notable individuals.
The idealized portrait of an individual: These masks are usually commissioned to pay homage to a living village figure (often a woman), admired for physical beauty, grace, or moral qualities. The mask does not seek to be a realistic portrait but a magnified representation of the virtues of the honored person.
The performance: The dancer, fully hidden beneath a costume made of loincloths and vegetal fibers fixed to the mask’s border perforations, adopts a rhythmic choreography. Horizontal slits are discreetly cut beneath the mask’s sculpted eyes to allow the performer to guide themselves during the dance movements.
Symbolic meaning
Among the Baoulé, the formal perfection of a sculpture is the direct reflection of the goodness of the soul (Blolo). The perfect symmetry of features, the softness of the lines, and the shine of the patina of this mask recall the community’s fundamental values: respect for customary law, self-control, elegance, and the maintenance of social harmony through the beauty of art and shared rejoicing.
This mask is representative of Baoulé art, with a balance between forms and volumes and finely carved details.
Fast and secure shipping. Packages are sent with a tracking number. Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union via Chronopost International. International Colissimo delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide.
We speak English.
Mask African art African mask art arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue 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
Wood
Height: 390mm
Width: 230mm
Depth: 160mm
This wooden anthropomorphic mask comes from the Baoulé people, located in the central region of Côte d'Ivoire. Within their rich culture, this piece falls into the category of portrait or entertainment masks, traditionally called Mblo (or Ndoma).
Origin and aesthetic characteristics of the Baoulé
Baoulé art consistently seeks balance, harmony of proportions, and finesse of detail. This mask is a perfect illustration of that through several criteria:
The expression of serenity: The high, rounded forehead sits above delicately arched eyebrows that meet at the base of the nose. Almond-shaped, half-closed eyes give the face an attitude of calm inner self, dignity, and spiritual peace.
The complex coiffure: The hair is sculpted into a tall central crest adorned with small conical projections or chevrons, flanked by two braided rolls on the sides. Among the Baoulé, the care given to the hairstyle is a clear sign of refinement and a high social rank.
Ritual scarifications (Ngole): Relief motifs or light geometric incisions structure the face. A discreet mark can be seen on the forehead, as well as small linear scarifications at either side of the mouth corners and at the eyes.
The crenellated ruff: A jagged border frames the jawline and chin, stylizing a prestige beard or a festive textile ornament.
The careful patina: The face presents a beautiful dark patina, smooth and polished from use, while the back reveals the hollowing work of the rough wood with the adze to fit the wearer’s face.
Ritual and social use: The Mblo festivities
Unlike the region's sacred and formidable masks (associated with the cults of Goli or Bonu Auen which are strictly forbidden to women's eyes), the Mblo mask has a public, theatrical, and festive function.
A entertainment dance: It appears during celebratory ceremonies (Gbagba or Mblo), organized to celebrate happy events, honor distinguished guests, or pace the funerals of notable individuals.
The idealized portrait of an individual: These masks are usually commissioned to pay homage to a living village figure (often a woman), admired for physical beauty, grace, or moral qualities. The mask does not seek to be a realistic portrait but a magnified representation of the virtues of the honored person.
The performance: The dancer, fully hidden beneath a costume made of loincloths and vegetal fibers fixed to the mask’s border perforations, adopts a rhythmic choreography. Horizontal slits are discreetly cut beneath the mask’s sculpted eyes to allow the performer to guide themselves during the dance movements.
Symbolic meaning
Among the Baoulé, the formal perfection of a sculpture is the direct reflection of the goodness of the soul (Blolo). The perfect symmetry of features, the softness of the lines, and the shine of the patina of this mask recall the community’s fundamental values: respect for customary law, self-control, elegance, and the maintenance of social harmony through the beauty of art and shared rejoicing.
This mask is representative of Baoulé art, with a balance between forms and volumes and finely carved details.
Fast and secure shipping. Packages are sent with a tracking number. Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union via Chronopost International. International Colissimo delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide.
We speak English.
Mask African art African mask art arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue 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
Mblo mask
Ethnic group/ culture
Baule
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Sold by
