Old African We Guere mask - Ivory Coast.





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Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
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Description from the seller
Old Bugle We - Guere face mask from Ivory Coast.
Height: 32 cm.
Hand carved from a single piece of wood and other materials with color pigments.
This Bugle face mask is dated from the mid-20th century and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Bugle face mask. We live in the southwest of the forested Côte d’Ivoire and the southeast of Liberia. They are actually two separate tribes – the Guere (also known as Ngere) and the Wobe – although they share many customs and beliefs. As symbols of societal beliefs and values, their masks reinforce respect for the rules and functioning of society. The most striking feature of the We masks is often a combination of diverse materials that gives these masks tremendous expressive power. This mask represents a male forest spirit. Historically, bugle masks played important roles in social control, including judicial decisions, law enforcement, criminal punishment, fine collection, and dispute resolution. Their energetic, lively performances were meant to teach proper behavior, although in recent decades this punitive role has diminished.
Material: wood, textile, animal hair, raffia
Seller's Story
Old Bugle We - Guere face mask from Ivory Coast.
Height: 32 cm.
Hand carved from a single piece of wood and other materials with color pigments.
This Bugle face mask is dated from the mid-20th century and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Bugle face mask. We live in the southwest of the forested Côte d’Ivoire and the southeast of Liberia. They are actually two separate tribes – the Guere (also known as Ngere) and the Wobe – although they share many customs and beliefs. As symbols of societal beliefs and values, their masks reinforce respect for the rules and functioning of society. The most striking feature of the We masks is often a combination of diverse materials that gives these masks tremendous expressive power. This mask represents a male forest spirit. Historically, bugle masks played important roles in social control, including judicial decisions, law enforcement, criminal punishment, fine collection, and dispute resolution. Their energetic, lively performances were meant to teach proper behavior, although in recent decades this punitive role has diminished.
Material: wood, textile, animal hair, raffia
