Kpan Rejoicing Mask - Baule - Côte d'Ivoire
02
days
17
hours
34
minutes
46
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
No bids placed
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 141384 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Baoulé wooden mask Masque de réjouissance Kpan from Côte d'Ivoire, collected in Bouaké, dimensions 320 mm high × 180 mm wide × 110 mm deep, carved in Bois, in good condition, sold without a stand.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Ivory Coast
Baoule
Wood
Height: 320mm
Width: 180mm
Depth: 110mm
African wooden mask from the Baoulé ethnic group of Ivory Coast.
Collected in Bouaké in the center of Ivory Coast.
This mask is a classic example of Baoulé entertainment masks from Ivory Coast, more specifically linked to the categories of masks known as portrait or social rejoicing masks.
It presents the typical aesthetics of the Baoulé people: very fine and symmetrical facial features, a heart- or oval-shaped face with dark patina, half-closed eyes highlighted with white kaolin, as well as a meticulously sculpted coiffure in the form of a striped crest, finished with a central grid-like braid falling toward the nasal bridge.
In Baoulé tradition, this type of mask had several central functions:
1. Dances of rejoicing and entertainment (Kpan / Gbagba)
The main function of these human-faced masks is theatrical and festive.
A profane and public art: Unlike sacred or fearsome masks of other ethnic groups, this mask is intended to be seen by the whole community (men, women and children). It is worn during major village celebrations, during visits of important guests, or on market days.
Mime and parody: Accompanied by musicians, the dancer concealed under a textile costume imitates, parodies or caricatures real people in the village or animals through dynamic choreography, in order to entertain the crowd.
2. The idealized “portrait” of a community member
A notable feature of Baoulé masks in this category is their link to living persons:
An artistic homage: These masks are often commissioned to honor a renowned village man or woman for their physical beauty, moral integrity, intelligence, or artistic talents.
Beauty and wisdom criteria: Arched eyebrows, a high forehead and the calm of half-closed eyes convey inner wisdom, dignity, and respect, fundamental values in Baoulé society.
3. The function of social cohesion and commemoration
Although mainly used for entertainment, these masks can reappear during funeral ceremonies of notable figures or eminent former dancers to honor their memory and help calm the village in the face of mourning.
By gathering the inhabitants around a shared aesthetic performance, the mask defuses tensions and strengthens social fabric.
Practical detail: the back of the mask clearly shows the carving technique: a hollowed wood to fit the dancer’s face, side holes to fix fabric or a vegetal border hiding the head, and two neat horizontal slots under the sculpted eyelids, essential so the wearer can see and perform the choreography safely.
This mask is representative of Baoulé art, with a balance between forms and volumes and finely sculpted details.
The Baoulé are one of the most important ethnic groups in Ivory Coast. Their name reflects their origin: according to a legend, Queen Aba Pokou led her people on an exodus toward the gold-mining regions during the 18th century; she had to sacrifice her son to the river god in order to cross it. The people thus became known as the “Bauli,” meaning: “the son is dead.”
Baoulé artists produced numerous works of art and remain very active today. Thanks to their sense of stylization and attention to detail, they have created creations among the most elegant African objects. The Baoulé have created masks, statues, figurines, fetishes, combs, chairs, weaving loom pulleys, canes, spear-throwers, slings, ointment boxes, oracle boxes, divination boxes, carved doors, bead necklaces, as well as gold and bronze jewelry worn during major ceremonies.
Packages are shipped Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days by Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide by Colissimo International.
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
Baoule
Wood
Height: 320mm
Width: 180mm
Depth: 110mm
African wooden mask from the Baoulé ethnic group of Ivory Coast.
Collected in Bouaké in the center of Ivory Coast.
This mask is a classic example of Baoulé entertainment masks from Ivory Coast, more specifically linked to the categories of masks known as portrait or social rejoicing masks.
It presents the typical aesthetics of the Baoulé people: very fine and symmetrical facial features, a heart- or oval-shaped face with dark patina, half-closed eyes highlighted with white kaolin, as well as a meticulously sculpted coiffure in the form of a striped crest, finished with a central grid-like braid falling toward the nasal bridge.
In Baoulé tradition, this type of mask had several central functions:
1. Dances of rejoicing and entertainment (Kpan / Gbagba)
The main function of these human-faced masks is theatrical and festive.
A profane and public art: Unlike sacred or fearsome masks of other ethnic groups, this mask is intended to be seen by the whole community (men, women and children). It is worn during major village celebrations, during visits of important guests, or on market days.
Mime and parody: Accompanied by musicians, the dancer concealed under a textile costume imitates, parodies or caricatures real people in the village or animals through dynamic choreography, in order to entertain the crowd.
2. The idealized “portrait” of a community member
A notable feature of Baoulé masks in this category is their link to living persons:
An artistic homage: These masks are often commissioned to honor a renowned village man or woman for their physical beauty, moral integrity, intelligence, or artistic talents.
Beauty and wisdom criteria: Arched eyebrows, a high forehead and the calm of half-closed eyes convey inner wisdom, dignity, and respect, fundamental values in Baoulé society.
3. The function of social cohesion and commemoration
Although mainly used for entertainment, these masks can reappear during funeral ceremonies of notable figures or eminent former dancers to honor their memory and help calm the village in the face of mourning.
By gathering the inhabitants around a shared aesthetic performance, the mask defuses tensions and strengthens social fabric.
Practical detail: the back of the mask clearly shows the carving technique: a hollowed wood to fit the dancer’s face, side holes to fix fabric or a vegetal border hiding the head, and two neat horizontal slots under the sculpted eyelids, essential so the wearer can see and perform the choreography safely.
This mask is representative of Baoulé art, with a balance between forms and volumes and finely sculpted details.
The Baoulé are one of the most important ethnic groups in Ivory Coast. Their name reflects their origin: according to a legend, Queen Aba Pokou led her people on an exodus toward the gold-mining regions during the 18th century; she had to sacrifice her son to the river god in order to cross it. The people thus became known as the “Bauli,” meaning: “the son is dead.”
Baoulé artists produced numerous works of art and remain very active today. Thanks to their sense of stylization and attention to detail, they have created creations among the most elegant African objects. The Baoulé have created masks, statues, figurines, fetishes, combs, chairs, weaving loom pulleys, canes, spear-throwers, slings, ointment boxes, oracle boxes, divination boxes, carved doors, bead necklaces, as well as gold and bronze jewelry worn during major ceremonies.
Packages are shipped Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days by Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide by Colissimo International.
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
Sold by
