Guéré ceremonial mask - Côte d'Ivoire
03
days
12
hours
20
minutes
27
seconds
Current bid
€ 60
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
 | €60 |
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Ceremonial Guéré mask from Côte d'Ivoire, carved in bois with poils, collected in the Guiglo region; dimensions 260 mm high, 170 mm wide and 130 mm deep; in good condition and sold without a stand.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Ivory Coast
Guéré
Wood, hair, nail
Height: 260mm
Width: 170mm
Depth: 130mm
Collected in the Guiglo region in the west of the Ivory Coast.
This type of mask, identifiable by its powerful and imposing aesthetics, is a Guéré (or Wè) mask, a people living in the west of the Ivory Coast, near the border with Liberia.
This mask displays the classic elements of the Guéré style: massive volumes, tubular or split eyes in protruding blocks, a vigorous nose, a partially opened mouth sometimes showing teeth, and additions of organic materials (textile fibers, hair or fur, fabrics forming protrusions on the sides).
Unlike the neighboring Dan masks that often seek fluidity and the ideal of beauty, the Guéré mask uses distortion of features to express brute strength, authority, and the sacred.
Here is how this type of mask was traditionally used:
1. Justice and the settlement of conflicts (Mask of Wisdom or Judicial Mask)
This was one of its most crucial functions. The Guéré mask is not a simple entertainment object; it is a supreme spiritual entity:
An impartial judge: When the council of elders failed to settle a serious dispute (land disputes, theft, adultery, or witchcraft accusations), the mask was invoked.
The verdict: As soon as the dancer wearing the mask entered the public square, his words became those of the spirits and ancestors. His decisions were indisputable and helped restore peace and social order in the village.
2. Re-establishing peace in times of war
In ancient times, this imposing mask played a major diplomatic and protective role:
Inter-village arbiter: He could intervene to stop hostilities or wars between two clans or neighboring villages.
His mere physical presence and the spiritual energy he radiated (designed to impress and frighten) were enough to impose a truce and force the belligerents to negotiate.
3. Initiation rituals and the secret society
The mask is closely linked to the masculine secret societies that govern Guéré religious life:
It appeared during the initiation ceremonies of young boys to mark their passage to adulthood.
The mask served to instill discipline, respect for customary law, and the tribe’s mystical secrets. It also protected initiates against evil sorcery during their stay in the sacred forest.
4. Funerals of great initiates
Although terrifying in some aspects, the mask participated in mourning ceremonies:
It appeared at the funerals of land chiefs, great warriors, or influential members of the mask society.
Its dance allowed the village to be purified, to drive away the evil spirits responsible for death, and to guide the deceased’s soul to the realm of the ancestors.
In short: The mask was used as a tool of political, judicial, and religious power. Its aggressive physiognomy and composite materials were deliberately chosen to evoke fear and respect, ensuring that order and divine justice were maintained within the community.
The items are shipped with insurance and tracking number.
Packages are shipped from Monday to Saturday. Delivery in France in 1 to 3 days via Chronopost, and between 2 and 5 days across Europe. Worldwide delivery via Colissimo International.
We speak english.
Mask african art African mask art arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane 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
Guéré
Wood, hair, nail
Height: 260mm
Width: 170mm
Depth: 130mm
Collected in the Guiglo region in the west of the Ivory Coast.
This type of mask, identifiable by its powerful and imposing aesthetics, is a Guéré (or Wè) mask, a people living in the west of the Ivory Coast, near the border with Liberia.
This mask displays the classic elements of the Guéré style: massive volumes, tubular or split eyes in protruding blocks, a vigorous nose, a partially opened mouth sometimes showing teeth, and additions of organic materials (textile fibers, hair or fur, fabrics forming protrusions on the sides).
Unlike the neighboring Dan masks that often seek fluidity and the ideal of beauty, the Guéré mask uses distortion of features to express brute strength, authority, and the sacred.
Here is how this type of mask was traditionally used:
1. Justice and the settlement of conflicts (Mask of Wisdom or Judicial Mask)
This was one of its most crucial functions. The Guéré mask is not a simple entertainment object; it is a supreme spiritual entity:
An impartial judge: When the council of elders failed to settle a serious dispute (land disputes, theft, adultery, or witchcraft accusations), the mask was invoked.
The verdict: As soon as the dancer wearing the mask entered the public square, his words became those of the spirits and ancestors. His decisions were indisputable and helped restore peace and social order in the village.
2. Re-establishing peace in times of war
In ancient times, this imposing mask played a major diplomatic and protective role:
Inter-village arbiter: He could intervene to stop hostilities or wars between two clans or neighboring villages.
His mere physical presence and the spiritual energy he radiated (designed to impress and frighten) were enough to impose a truce and force the belligerents to negotiate.
3. Initiation rituals and the secret society
The mask is closely linked to the masculine secret societies that govern Guéré religious life:
It appeared during the initiation ceremonies of young boys to mark their passage to adulthood.
The mask served to instill discipline, respect for customary law, and the tribe’s mystical secrets. It also protected initiates against evil sorcery during their stay in the sacred forest.
4. Funerals of great initiates
Although terrifying in some aspects, the mask participated in mourning ceremonies:
It appeared at the funerals of land chiefs, great warriors, or influential members of the mask society.
Its dance allowed the village to be purified, to drive away the evil spirits responsible for death, and to guide the deceased’s soul to the realm of the ancestors.
In short: The mask was used as a tool of political, judicial, and religious power. Its aggressive physiognomy and composite materials were deliberately chosen to evoke fear and respect, ensuring that order and divine justice were maintained within the community.
The items are shipped with insurance and tracking number.
Packages are shipped from Monday to Saturday. Delivery in France in 1 to 3 days via Chronopost, and between 2 and 5 days across Europe. Worldwide delivery via Colissimo International.
We speak english.
Mask african art African mask art arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane 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
Ethnic group/ culture
Guéré ceremonial mask
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Animal hair, Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Sold by
