Ceremonial mask - Yaure - Côte d'Ivoire

04
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Dimitri André
Expert
Selected by Dimitri André

Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.

Estimate  € 150 - € 200
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This excellent-condition carved wooden Yaouré ceremonial mask from Côte d’Ivoire measures 35 × 14.5 × 8 cm and is supplied without a stand.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

Côte d'Ivoire
Yaouré
Bois
Height: 350mm
Width: 145mm
Depth: 80mm
Delivered without pedestal

This carved wooden mask testifies to the exceptional refinement of Yaouré (Yauré) statuary from Côte d'Ivoire. Although it shares a strong stylistic and geographical kinship with Baoulé art, certain graphic conventions specific to Yaouré workshops confirm its belonging to the Yaouré workshops.

1. Geographical and cultural origin
- The Yaouré people: This small-­scale group lives in the central region of Côte d'Ivoire, surrounded by the Baoulé to the east and the Guro to the west.
- An art of transition: Yaouré statuary achieves a remarkable aesthetic synthesis, borrowing the softness and roundness of Baoulé faces while associating with it the geometric rigor and the straight lines of Guro art.

2. Ritual use and spiritual function
This piece is intimately linked to religious beliefs and to the male mask societies of the Je (or Gye) universe.
- Reestablishment of communal balance: These masks appear mainly during funeral ceremonies of notable persons or elders of the community. Their function is to purify the village, to drive away the negative influences born of death, and to guide the soul of the deceased peacefully toward the realm of the ancestors.
- A strict prohibition: Because of the powerful spiritual force they embody during rituals, these masks must traditionally not be seen by women, under penalty of mystical sanctions or fertility troubles.
- The animal attribute: The presence of horns symbolizes the alliance between the world of humans and the forces of the bush, combining human wisdom with the brute power of nature.

3. Style characteristics
Several anatomical and plastic criteria characterize Yaouré sculptors' work on this piece:
- The serrated border: This is the emblematic visual signature of this ethnicity. The entire circumference of the face is outlined by a sawtooth or zigzag frieze. This crenellated collar subtly isolates the sacred face from the rest of the structure.
- The headdress and the horns: The top of the head is crowned by a pair of mammal horns (evoking an antelope or a bovine), one of which shows signs of wear. The high forehead is enhanced by a tripartite coiffure adorned with fine geometric triangle engravings.
- The inward expression: The eyebrows form two perfect, continuous arches that converge toward a long, extremely narrow nose. The almond-shaped eyes, almost closed, grant the expression a gravity and total serenity.
- The lip appendage and the back: Under the mouth unfolds a double sculpted projection simulating a traditional knotted beard. At the rear, the hollowing is deep and regular, equipped with fine horizontal vision slits and marked by a patina of internal use indicating successive ritual portages.

Packages are quickly dispatched from Monday to Saturday with tracking number. Delivery in France in 1 to 3 days and in Europe in 2 to 5 days. Worldwide delivery.

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 Translate

Côte d'Ivoire
Yaouré
Bois
Height: 350mm
Width: 145mm
Depth: 80mm
Delivered without pedestal

This carved wooden mask testifies to the exceptional refinement of Yaouré (Yauré) statuary from Côte d'Ivoire. Although it shares a strong stylistic and geographical kinship with Baoulé art, certain graphic conventions specific to Yaouré workshops confirm its belonging to the Yaouré workshops.

1. Geographical and cultural origin
- The Yaouré people: This small-­scale group lives in the central region of Côte d'Ivoire, surrounded by the Baoulé to the east and the Guro to the west.
- An art of transition: Yaouré statuary achieves a remarkable aesthetic synthesis, borrowing the softness and roundness of Baoulé faces while associating with it the geometric rigor and the straight lines of Guro art.

2. Ritual use and spiritual function
This piece is intimately linked to religious beliefs and to the male mask societies of the Je (or Gye) universe.
- Reestablishment of communal balance: These masks appear mainly during funeral ceremonies of notable persons or elders of the community. Their function is to purify the village, to drive away the negative influences born of death, and to guide the soul of the deceased peacefully toward the realm of the ancestors.
- A strict prohibition: Because of the powerful spiritual force they embody during rituals, these masks must traditionally not be seen by women, under penalty of mystical sanctions or fertility troubles.
- The animal attribute: The presence of horns symbolizes the alliance between the world of humans and the forces of the bush, combining human wisdom with the brute power of nature.

3. Style characteristics
Several anatomical and plastic criteria characterize Yaouré sculptors' work on this piece:
- The serrated border: This is the emblematic visual signature of this ethnicity. The entire circumference of the face is outlined by a sawtooth or zigzag frieze. This crenellated collar subtly isolates the sacred face from the rest of the structure.
- The headdress and the horns: The top of the head is crowned by a pair of mammal horns (evoking an antelope or a bovine), one of which shows signs of wear. The high forehead is enhanced by a tripartite coiffure adorned with fine geometric triangle engravings.
- The inward expression: The eyebrows form two perfect, continuous arches that converge toward a long, extremely narrow nose. The almond-shaped eyes, almost closed, grant the expression a gravity and total serenity.
- The lip appendage and the back: Under the mouth unfolds a double sculpted projection simulating a traditional knotted beard. At the rear, the hollowing is deep and regular, equipped with fine horizontal vision slits and marked by a patina of internal use indicating successive ritual portages.

Packages are quickly dispatched from Monday to Saturday with tracking number. Delivery in France in 1 to 3 days and in Europe in 2 to 5 days. Worldwide delivery.

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 Translate

Details

Indigenous object name
Ceremonial mask
Ethnic group/ culture
Yaure
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Excellent condition
Authenticity
Original/official
FranceVerified
1596
Objects sold
100%
protop

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