A Guro Mask, Western part of the Ivory Coast, collected in the village village Gohitafla, a slight mischief in the allure of the mask, a slim face that is smiling, the mouth showing teeth, slit eyes pierced through, pointed small nose, a large forehead. The mask is surmounted by a seated, clothed figure, which depicts probably the “chef de village”or another high ranking personality. The rim of the mask are punctured with attachment holes; signs of use, some large cracks, remnants of sacrificial patina. Certificate of provenance. “In Guro culture, distinctions are made between masquerades that are the focus of cults and those that are more secular in nature. A sequence of three sacred masks centers around Zamble, a mythical male being whose form fuses antelope and leopard features. He is in turn complemented by his beautiful wife, Gu, and his wild, grotesque brother, Zuali. Such representations are owned by certain families that use them as the loci of sacrificial offerings proposed by diviners to improve their well-being. In contrast, other Guro mask forms, which serve only as sources of entertainment, are designed by individual performers.” Source:The Metropolitan Museum of Art.