Mask - Baule - Côte d'Ivoire

This carefully carved Baoulé mask comes from the Akan culture in Ivory Coast, and stands out for its refined aesthetic where facial symmetry and smooth skin embody the beauty and serenity ideal. Unlike a purely utilitarian view, these masks, often used during funeral ceremonies or community celebrations, serve as mediators between the world of the living and that of the spirits (the goli). Their making requires ancestral know-how, with every detail—from stylized scarifications to the intricate hairstyle—conveying precise social codes about the wearer’s status, age, or role. Far from being mere decorative objects, they represent a form of living spirituality, where dance and mask fuse to restore cosmic order and honor the ancestors, thereby perpetuating an ancient oral and visual tradition.

Presentation of our house of expertise

Based in Belgium, our house of expertise and sale specializes in African and ethnographic art. A reference seller on Catawiki for more than 8 years, we enjoy a solid reputation and a history of several hundred sales with a virtually 100% satisfaction rate.

We regularly assist with liquidations, successions, and dispersals of collections, in collaboration with individuals and families in Belgium and neighboring countries. Our approach is rigorous, transparent, and accessible, with many sales offered without a reserve price.

Some pieces that have passed through our hands have joined international private collections and, for some, museum institutions.

All of our collections are visible throughout the year at specialized fairs and exhibitions, but also through the online catalog of our gallery Héritage Galerie:
https://art-africain-traditionnel.com/en/

Shipping is guaranteed within 24 hours, with careful packaging, insurance, and tracking.
Contact 7 days a week: we remain available for any questions or requests for additional information.