Ceremonial mask of the Dje - Yaure - Côte d'Ivoire

Ivory Coast
Yaoure
Bois
Height: 325mm
Width: 190mm
Depth: 105mm

This mask is a superb example of Yaouré (or Yaure) art, an ethnic group of central Ivory Coast, closely neighboring the Baoulé and the Gouro.

This mask comes from the central region of Ivory Coast.

With its pure lines and balanced volumes, it clearly belongs to the Yaouré (Yaure) plastic tradition, while sharing strong stylistic affinities with the creations of their Baoulé neighbors. It is a mask of the Je (Dje) society ritual.

Here is the detailed analysis of its use, meaning, and graphic codes:

1. Stylistic attributes and morphological codes
The sculptor applied with great rigor the classical aesthetic criteria of Yaouré art.

A face of great inwardness: The face presents a very pure oval design, elongated toward a fine chin (here extended by a small tenon or a stylized beard). The almond-shaped eyes, with heavy, almost closed eyelids, along with the finely incised eyebrows meeting at the base of the nose, express dignity, serenity, and spiritual detachment.

Frontal scarifications: The high forehead is adorned with a series of small relief scarifications (in the shape of seeds or diamonds), marks of civilization, refinement, and social distinction.

The two summit bird heads: Instead of a single central crest, the headdress is topped with two vertical horns on which two bird heads curve outward (evoking hornbills or raptors). Note that a binding or tie of fiber/fabric surrounds the base of the neck of each bird. The curved and powerful beak symbolizes the connection with celestial powers and the role of divine messenger.

The toothed border: The lower contour of the cheeks and jaw is outlined by a delicate sawtooth frieze, a true visual signature of this stylistic zone.

2. Ritual use: Funerals and purification
This mask belongs to the group of sacred masks linked to mourning rituals and social regulation:

Accompanying the dead: Worn at the funerals of notable people or elders of the community, its role was to intervene to capture the Yu (the spiritual energy or vitality potentially disturbed by death). The mask’s dance pacified the spirit of the deceased and helped him reach the status of protective ancestor.

Restoration of cosmic order: Death is seen as a break in communal balance; the departures of these masks allowed the village to be purified of harmful influences and to restore harmony between the world of the living and the forces of nature.

3. Spiritual meaning and prohibitions
The power of Yu: Unlike profane masks for mere entertainment, this category of Yaouré masks carries a significant magical charge.

A strict prohibition for women: Because of the mystical power it carries when activated by dance, this type of mask was traditionally strictly forbidden for women to look at. The belief was that exposure to this invisible force could cause fertility disorders or spiritual imbalances.

The ethical ideal: The mask’s perfect symmetry and the gentleness of its facial features express a moral ideal: self-control, wisdom in the face of loss, and deference to ancestral laws.

In terms of performance, a set of regular perforations and perfectly patinated all around served to firmly bind the raffia fiber collar and the textile costume that masked the dancer’s identity, turning the man into a sacred entity for the duration of the ceremony.

The parcels are sent from Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery within 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery in the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo international.

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