Baoulé 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 € 150 - € 200
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Masque Baoulé Mblo, carved wood, Baoulé culture, from Côte d'Ivoire, in excellent condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Côte d'Ivoire
Baoulé
Wood
Height: 430mm
Width: 175mm
Depth: 175mm
Weight: 1.53kg
Delivered without base
This wooden anthropomorphic mask is a characteristic creation of the Baoulé people, who inhabit the central region of Ivory Coast. Within their rich traditional repertoire, this piece belongs to the famous category of entertainment and portrait masks known as Mblo (or Ndoma).
1. Origin and stylistic features
Baoulé art favors gentle forms, symmetry, and refined execution. This mask beautifully illustrates these aesthetic criteria:
Globular raised eyes: Unlike the almond-shaped, half-closed eyes very common in Baoulé statuary, this model features large round, raised eyes. The upper and lower eyelids are clearly defined, giving the mask a fixed, hypnotic, and expressive gaze, while slender horizontal slits allow the dancer to see.
The hairstyle and crown: The treatment of the hair is particularly elaborate. It is represented by a band of diagonal lines framing the top of the forehead, topped with a very fine mesh or geometric grid. At the very top, a small zigzag carved border evokes a traditional comb or a small ceremonial crown.
Ritual scarifications (Ngole): Between the two eyes, at the bridge of the nose, there is a small three-pointed geometric motif in relief. This mark, typical of Baoulé body ornaments, symbolizes cultural identity, refinement, and integration within the refined village community.
The refined profile: The nose is thin and straight, while the mouth is carved in relief, small and protruding forward in a geometric manner. The outline of the cheeks and chin remains highly fluid.
Two-tone patina: The external face is coated with a dark, smooth, and shiny patina, characteristic of objects that are handled and maintained over long periods. By contrast, the reverse shows a rough and vigorous hollow in the ironwood (herminette), revealing the natural texture of the wood as well as peripheral perforations intended to attach the costume.
2. Social and ritual use: Mblo celebrations
Among the Baoulé, Mblo-type masks hold a central place during public and secular celebrations, distinguishing them from sacred masks reserved for male secret rituals.
The entertainment dances: This mask is worn during festive theatrical and choreographic performances called Gbagba or Mblo. These events are organized to enliven the village, celebrate the funeral of notable figures, or welcome distinguished guests.
The portrait of a person: The Mblo mask is designed as the idealized portrait of a respected community member (most often a woman). It is carved to honor them for physical beauty, grace, or moral virtues (generosity, temperance). During the celebration, the honored person often dances alongside the mask bearer.
The structure of the performance: The dancer is completely hidden beneath a heavy costume made of fabrics and raffia fibers attached to the edge of the wood. He executes a series of complex steps to the rhythm of drums, sometimes mimicking traits of character or social parables.
3. Symbolic meaning
In Baoulé country, the formal beauty of a work of art is intrinsically linked to the morality of the individual it embodies. This mask does not attempt to realistically reproduce the exact physical features of the celebrated person, but to materialize the perfection of their soul.
The harmony of its proportions, the elegance of its hairstyle, and the glow of its carefully tended patina all remind us of the importance of communal values: calm, self-control, spiritual elegance, and respect for the social order established by the ancestors.
This mask is representative of Baoulé art, with a balance between shapes and volumes and finely carved details.
Packages are rapidly shipped from Monday to Saturday with tracking number.
Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days and across Europe within 2 to 5 days. Worldwide delivery.
We speak english.
Mask African art African mask art Arte de máscaras africanas Arte delle maschere africane
statue African art Statue of 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 TranslateCôte d'Ivoire
Baoulé
Wood
Height: 430mm
Width: 175mm
Depth: 175mm
Weight: 1.53kg
Delivered without base
This wooden anthropomorphic mask is a characteristic creation of the Baoulé people, who inhabit the central region of Ivory Coast. Within their rich traditional repertoire, this piece belongs to the famous category of entertainment and portrait masks known as Mblo (or Ndoma).
1. Origin and stylistic features
Baoulé art favors gentle forms, symmetry, and refined execution. This mask beautifully illustrates these aesthetic criteria:
Globular raised eyes: Unlike the almond-shaped, half-closed eyes very common in Baoulé statuary, this model features large round, raised eyes. The upper and lower eyelids are clearly defined, giving the mask a fixed, hypnotic, and expressive gaze, while slender horizontal slits allow the dancer to see.
The hairstyle and crown: The treatment of the hair is particularly elaborate. It is represented by a band of diagonal lines framing the top of the forehead, topped with a very fine mesh or geometric grid. At the very top, a small zigzag carved border evokes a traditional comb or a small ceremonial crown.
Ritual scarifications (Ngole): Between the two eyes, at the bridge of the nose, there is a small three-pointed geometric motif in relief. This mark, typical of Baoulé body ornaments, symbolizes cultural identity, refinement, and integration within the refined village community.
The refined profile: The nose is thin and straight, while the mouth is carved in relief, small and protruding forward in a geometric manner. The outline of the cheeks and chin remains highly fluid.
Two-tone patina: The external face is coated with a dark, smooth, and shiny patina, characteristic of objects that are handled and maintained over long periods. By contrast, the reverse shows a rough and vigorous hollow in the ironwood (herminette), revealing the natural texture of the wood as well as peripheral perforations intended to attach the costume.
2. Social and ritual use: Mblo celebrations
Among the Baoulé, Mblo-type masks hold a central place during public and secular celebrations, distinguishing them from sacred masks reserved for male secret rituals.
The entertainment dances: This mask is worn during festive theatrical and choreographic performances called Gbagba or Mblo. These events are organized to enliven the village, celebrate the funeral of notable figures, or welcome distinguished guests.
The portrait of a person: The Mblo mask is designed as the idealized portrait of a respected community member (most often a woman). It is carved to honor them for physical beauty, grace, or moral virtues (generosity, temperance). During the celebration, the honored person often dances alongside the mask bearer.
The structure of the performance: The dancer is completely hidden beneath a heavy costume made of fabrics and raffia fibers attached to the edge of the wood. He executes a series of complex steps to the rhythm of drums, sometimes mimicking traits of character or social parables.
3. Symbolic meaning
In Baoulé country, the formal beauty of a work of art is intrinsically linked to the morality of the individual it embodies. This mask does not attempt to realistically reproduce the exact physical features of the celebrated person, but to materialize the perfection of their soul.
The harmony of its proportions, the elegance of its hairstyle, and the glow of its carefully tended patina all remind us of the importance of communal values: calm, self-control, spiritual elegance, and respect for the social order established by the ancestors.
This mask is representative of Baoulé art, with a balance between shapes and volumes and finely carved details.
Packages are rapidly shipped from Monday to Saturday with tracking number.
Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days and across Europe within 2 to 5 days. Worldwide delivery.
We speak english.
Mask African art African mask art Arte de máscaras africanas Arte delle maschere africane
statue African art Statue of 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
Baoulé Mblo mask
Ethnic group/ culture
Baule
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Excellent condition
Sold by
