Mask - Grebo - Côte d'Ivoire
07
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00
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20
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52
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€ 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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Grebo wooden mask from Côte d'Ivoire, attributed to the Grebo culture.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Ivory Coast
Grebo
Wood
Height: 670mm
Width: 250mm
Depth: 105mm
This type of flat wooden mask topped with multiple cylindrical projections is an emblematic work of the Grebo (or Krou) culture.
1. Geographic and cultural origin
The region of forests and coast: The Grebo people are established in the forested and coastal zone of southwest Liberia, extending to the southwestern borders of Ivory Coast.
A major historical influence: Grebo art is distinguished by its bold geometric and cubist shapes. These flat compositions, where volumes such as the eyes are projected forward in an abstract way, profoundly influenced Western artists in the early 20th century, notably Pablo Picasso, who drew inspiration from them for his own Cubist works.
2. Ritual use and spiritual function
Far from being mere representations of human faces, these masks embody invisible powers and spirits of the bush.
Justice and preparation for war: Worn by initiates of male secret societies, they appeared during important community ceremonies: initiations, resolutions of legal conflicts, or before battles to establish spiritual protection and galvanize the warriors.
The symbol of omniscience: The presence of several pairs of tubular eyes (in this case six pairs) graphically symbolizes the gift of clairvoyance and double sight. The mask’s spirit has the capacity to observe everything, allowing detection of hidden dangers, hexes, sorcery, or malicious intentions within the village.
3. Style characteristics
The construction of the piece follows strict plastic codes specific to this region:
The flat face: The base of the mask is a long, vertical, slightly concave wooden plank, evoking the shape of a shield.
The geometrization of features: The nose is depicted by a long, straight central ridge. The mouth is reduced to a protruding rectangular block at the base of the mask, sometimes embellished with incised teeth.
The projected gaze and patina: The twelve relief cylinders create a strong visual rhythm, often enhanced by applications of contrasting pigments (such as blue, ochre, and white). The genuine openings for the dancer’s vision are small discreet perforations located on either side of the nasal ridge.
The rear structure: The back features a carved recess intended to accommodate the wearer’s face. The small holes regularly drilled around the lower edge were used to attach a thick adornment of raffia fibers or a costume designed to fully conceal the dancer’s body.
Fast and protected shipping with tracking number. Packages are sent Monday to Saturday.
Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France with Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across Europe. Worldwide delivery with Colissimo International.
We speak english
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
Grebo
Wood
Height: 670mm
Width: 250mm
Depth: 105mm
This type of flat wooden mask topped with multiple cylindrical projections is an emblematic work of the Grebo (or Krou) culture.
1. Geographic and cultural origin
The region of forests and coast: The Grebo people are established in the forested and coastal zone of southwest Liberia, extending to the southwestern borders of Ivory Coast.
A major historical influence: Grebo art is distinguished by its bold geometric and cubist shapes. These flat compositions, where volumes such as the eyes are projected forward in an abstract way, profoundly influenced Western artists in the early 20th century, notably Pablo Picasso, who drew inspiration from them for his own Cubist works.
2. Ritual use and spiritual function
Far from being mere representations of human faces, these masks embody invisible powers and spirits of the bush.
Justice and preparation for war: Worn by initiates of male secret societies, they appeared during important community ceremonies: initiations, resolutions of legal conflicts, or before battles to establish spiritual protection and galvanize the warriors.
The symbol of omniscience: The presence of several pairs of tubular eyes (in this case six pairs) graphically symbolizes the gift of clairvoyance and double sight. The mask’s spirit has the capacity to observe everything, allowing detection of hidden dangers, hexes, sorcery, or malicious intentions within the village.
3. Style characteristics
The construction of the piece follows strict plastic codes specific to this region:
The flat face: The base of the mask is a long, vertical, slightly concave wooden plank, evoking the shape of a shield.
The geometrization of features: The nose is depicted by a long, straight central ridge. The mouth is reduced to a protruding rectangular block at the base of the mask, sometimes embellished with incised teeth.
The projected gaze and patina: The twelve relief cylinders create a strong visual rhythm, often enhanced by applications of contrasting pigments (such as blue, ochre, and white). The genuine openings for the dancer’s vision are small discreet perforations located on either side of the nasal ridge.
The rear structure: The back features a carved recess intended to accommodate the wearer’s face. The small holes regularly drilled around the lower edge were used to attach a thick adornment of raffia fibers or a costume designed to fully conceal the dancer’s body.
Fast and protected shipping with tracking number. Packages are sent Monday to Saturday.
Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France with Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across Europe. Worldwide delivery with Colissimo International.
We speak english
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
Mask
Ethnic group/ culture
Grebo
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Sold by
