Guéré ceremonial mask - Côte d'Ivoire
04
days
03
hours
24
minutes
09
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Current bid
€ 49
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 200 - € 250
 | €49 |
|---|
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Guéré ceremony mask from Côte d'Ivoire with an articulated lower jaw, made of wood, fabric, hair, nails and metal; dimensions 260 × 170 × 105 mm; good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Ivory Coast
Guéré
Wood, fabrics, hair, nail, metal
Height: 260mm
Width: 170mm
Depth: 105mm
1 - Origin and Cultural Context
This anthropomorphic mask of 26 cm originates in the west of Ivory Coast, within the great cultural complex of the Guéré (Wè) peoples. This region, marked by dense forests, developed a unique ritual aesthetic, centered on dramatic expressivity, relief, and the accumulation of heterogeneous textures. The piece moves away from the smooth, idealized representations of other Ivorian ethnic groups to favor a striking, textured theatricality.
2 - Use and Ritual Function
The use of this mask primarily fits the functions of entertainment, social satire, and village mediation. Within Guéré communities, this type of anthropomorphic figure does not have the absolute severity of the great masks used for exorcism or war. It plays a lively role during end-of-harvest festivals, secular celebrations, or during intermediate funeral ceremonies. The wearer uses the mask to mime, stage morally instructive narratives, and, under the cover of anonymity, point out the community’s faults.
3 - Technical Feature: The Articulated Jaw
The major morphological element and the most relevant feature of this piece lies in its lower jaw, which is articulated. Sculpted independently of the rest of the face and connected by flexible ties, it moves with the slightest head movement of the dancer. This movable mouth, combined with inserts of light wood or bone representing individualized teeth, creates the illusion of speech and chewing, thereby intensifying the living and captivating aspect of the ritual performance.
4 - Polychromy and Composite Materials
Surface analysis reveals a typically composite conception characteristic of Guéré art. The forehead and eye area retain traces of a white kaolin engobe, while the nose and cheeks bear a crusty patina loaded with ochre, red, and green pigments. The mask also retains its precious textile attributes: a thick, padded black fabric band crowns the top of the head, and a false beard made of plant fibers or dark braided hairs wraps around the movable jaw.
5 - Internal Examination and Usage Patina
Examination of the reverse provides valuable technical information about the object’s history. The inner face shows a deep, regular hollow that perfectly accommodates the initiate’s facial anatomy. The wood bears a brown, smooth patina from use, evidence of repeated rubbing of skin and sweat during dances. The lateral perforations around the circumference are clearly visible, as well as the neat transverse cut that frees the jaw mechanism.
The objects are shipped with insurance and tracking number.
Packages are sent from Monday to Saturday. Delivery in France in 1 to 3 days with Chronopost, and between 2 and 5 days across Europe. Worldwide delivery with 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
Guéré
Wood, fabrics, hair, nail, metal
Height: 260mm
Width: 170mm
Depth: 105mm
1 - Origin and Cultural Context
This anthropomorphic mask of 26 cm originates in the west of Ivory Coast, within the great cultural complex of the Guéré (Wè) peoples. This region, marked by dense forests, developed a unique ritual aesthetic, centered on dramatic expressivity, relief, and the accumulation of heterogeneous textures. The piece moves away from the smooth, idealized representations of other Ivorian ethnic groups to favor a striking, textured theatricality.
2 - Use and Ritual Function
The use of this mask primarily fits the functions of entertainment, social satire, and village mediation. Within Guéré communities, this type of anthropomorphic figure does not have the absolute severity of the great masks used for exorcism or war. It plays a lively role during end-of-harvest festivals, secular celebrations, or during intermediate funeral ceremonies. The wearer uses the mask to mime, stage morally instructive narratives, and, under the cover of anonymity, point out the community’s faults.
3 - Technical Feature: The Articulated Jaw
The major morphological element and the most relevant feature of this piece lies in its lower jaw, which is articulated. Sculpted independently of the rest of the face and connected by flexible ties, it moves with the slightest head movement of the dancer. This movable mouth, combined with inserts of light wood or bone representing individualized teeth, creates the illusion of speech and chewing, thereby intensifying the living and captivating aspect of the ritual performance.
4 - Polychromy and Composite Materials
Surface analysis reveals a typically composite conception characteristic of Guéré art. The forehead and eye area retain traces of a white kaolin engobe, while the nose and cheeks bear a crusty patina loaded with ochre, red, and green pigments. The mask also retains its precious textile attributes: a thick, padded black fabric band crowns the top of the head, and a false beard made of plant fibers or dark braided hairs wraps around the movable jaw.
5 - Internal Examination and Usage Patina
Examination of the reverse provides valuable technical information about the object’s history. The inner face shows a deep, regular hollow that perfectly accommodates the initiate’s facial anatomy. The wood bears a brown, smooth patina from use, evidence of repeated rubbing of skin and sweat during dances. The lateral perforations around the circumference are clearly visible, as well as the neat transverse cut that frees the jaw mechanism.
The objects are shipped with insurance and tracking number.
Packages are sent from Monday to Saturday. Delivery in France in 1 to 3 days with Chronopost, and between 2 and 5 days across Europe. Worldwide delivery with 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
Ethnic group/ culture
Guéré ceremonial mask
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Wood / fur / fabrics / metal
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Sold by
