Lomane ceremonial mask - Yaure - Côte d'Ivoire

Ivory Coast
Yaouré
Wood / hair / fabrics
Height: 470mm
Width: 170mm
Depth: 145mm

Identification and attribution
Yaouré/Yohouré face mask, Lomane/Lomané type, showing two facing birds – Ivory Coast.

The composition corresponds to the repertoire of Yaouré anthropozoomorphic masks: a stylized human face is surmounted by two facing birds whose beaks meet. This pattern is particularly well documented in Yohouré masks.

Dorotheum notably describes a Yaouré mask characterized by a high crest bearing two facing birds, while Christie’s catalog, drawing on the work of Alain-Michel Boyer and the Barbier-Mueller collection, also documents Yohouré masks with two birds.

Geographical origin

Ivory Coast

The Yaouré occupy a region in central Ivory Coast, between the Baoulé and Guro cultural areas. Smithsonian collections emphasize the reciprocal influences between these peoples in mask sculpture.

Ethnicity / culture

Yaouré / Yohouré / Yaure

Yaouré art is particularly renowned for very finely modeled human-faced masks, associated with zoomorphic elements — birds, horns, monkeys or other figures — and for its use of an extremely elaborate geometric decoration.

Type of object

Ceremonial anthropozoomorphic mask – Lomane / Lomané type.

The presence of two birds at the summit constitutes the major iconographic element here.

Artistic description

The mask presents a stylized oval female human face.
The features are characterized by:
• a broad forehead;
• strongly arched brow ridges;
• narrow, half-closed eyes;
• a long, straight nose;
• a small delicately modeled mouth;
• dotted motifs on the temples and cheeks;
• a peripheral border formed by a succession of triangles or points.

The coiffure is particularly worked. It combines several registers of incised geometric motifs, parallel lines and triangular shapes.

At the top, a horizontal platform supports two sculpted birds in the round. They are depicted standing, with long annulated necks, bodies adorned with geometric motifs, and wings carefully incised. The two birds face each other and their yellow beaks meet at the center of the composition.

This construction gives the mask a vertically striking silhouette.

Polychromy

Polychromy is an important element of this work.
The face is covered with a vivid yellow, while the contours of the eyes, the eyebrows and various decorative elements are outlined in black. Touches of red appear notably on the lips and in the birds’ coiffure.
This juxtaposition of yellow, black, red and natural wood tones strongly enhances the mask’s graphic construction.

Materials and technique

• Carved wood
• Direct carving sculpture
• High-relief and relief elements
• Incised geometric decoration
• Polychromy
• Perforations and cutouts to emphasize coiffure and decor elements

The sculpture of the two birds is particularly elaborate: the necks are treated with a succession of rings, while the wings feature a pattern of lines and triangles.

Symbolism

The pairing of a human face and two birds is an important Yaouré iconographic theme.
Alain-Michel Boyer, in publications related to Barbier-Mueller collections, explains that the two birds are sometimes interpreted as hornbills, but are more frequently considered as oxpeckers, small birds that perch on cattle to feed on parasites on their skin.
This interpretation strengthens the symbolic relation between man, animal and the forces of nature.

The human figure surmounted by birds also expresses an association between the different realms of the natural and spiritual worlds. The rapprochement between man and animal is a particularly important principle of Yaouré sculpture.

Function and ritual context

Yaouré masks are associated with societies and ceremonies that connect the community with spiritual powers.
The Lomane / Lomané belongs to the repertoire of masks of the Je/Dje system. Sources devoted to Yohouré masks describe their involvement in ceremonies related to the dead and to spiritual powers.

The two birds are therefore not merely a decorative element: they fully participate in the ritual and symbolic identity of the mask.

Stylistic particularities

Several characteristics allow this sculpture to be precisely situated within Yaouré art:
1. Oval, finely modeled face
2. Narrow, downward-slanting eyes
3. Long nose
4. Small mouth
5. Serrated border
6. Extremely geometric coiffure
7. High summit structure
8. Two facing birds
9. Very strong association between human and animal representation
The Dorotheum specifically regards the high crest with two facing birds as a characteristic motif of Yaouré masks.

Comparisons with reference pieces
Barbier-Mueller Museum / collection published by Alain-Michel Boyer
Barbier-Mueller collections are a major reference for Yohouré masks with two birds. A work published in the catalogue on Ivory Coast arts presents a comparable composition, with a human face surmounted by two birds. The study highlights the fineness of modeling and the association between man and the animal world.
Dorotheum, Vienna
A Yaouré mask described by Dorotheum has a tall crest with two facing birds, as well as a beaded beard and the hallmarks of the Yaouré style.
Smithsonian National Museum of African Art
Smithsonian houses several Yaouré masks combining a human face, a serrated border and zoomorphic elements. One example features a highly animal-centered composition, while another is topped by three birds.
New Orleans Museum of Art
The museum also preserves a Yaouré mask with a human face and a perched bird at the summit, showing the same striving for symmetry and geometric stylization.

Bibliography and references
• Alain-Michel Boyer, Art of Côte d’Ivoire from the Collections of the Barbier-Mueller Museum.
• Jacques Kerchache, Jean-Louis Paudrat, Lucien Stéphan and Germain Viatte, L’Art africain, Citadelles & Mazenod.
• Alain-Michel Boyer, Les Arts d’Afrique, Hazan.
• Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, collections Yaure.
• Dorotheum, catalogue Tribal Art, masques Yaure.
• Christie’s, catalogue d'art africain, masque Yohouré à deux oiseaux

Shipping information: Packages are sent Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide via 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