No. 103501755

Sold
木製の仮面 - グレボ - Côte d'Ivoire  (No reserve price)
Final bid
€ 271
No reserve price
5 weeks ago

木製の仮面 - グレボ - Côte d'Ivoire (No reserve price)

This mask originates from the cultural context of the Grebo (also: Glebo) people in the border region between western Liberia and Ivory Coast, with Touba serving as the northern reference point for stylistic influences within the wider Krou cultural region. Grebo masks are particularly known for their radically abstracted forms, which prioritize visual impact in performative and ritual contexts over naturalistic representation. Incl stand. The strongly elongated face is dominated by intense polychromy: The blue base provides a visual backdrop against which the three-dimensional elements stand out in stark contrast. The circular eyes, with their central, pupil-like elevations, project a striking presence through their disc-like shape. The central line, accentuated with black beads, structures the face symmetrically and draws the eye in an arc toward the temples. The mask's feathery hair further enhances its distinctive appearance. The simple, yet elongated triangular nose is flanked by paired, stamp-like protrusions, whose polychrome finish (red, white, yellow, blue) creates an additional rhythmic articulation and is among the mask's most striking features. The small, pointed mouth contrasts with the circular motifs arranged laterally, framed by beaded borders. Another triangular decorative zone below the mouth, along with the raffia "beard," extends the mask into three dimensions. Through the combination of geometric reduction, serial ornamentation, and color intensity, the mask articulates a unique aesthetic that aims for visual penetration and ritual presence. Literature (Selection) Fischer, Eberhard: Afrikanische Kunst. München, 2006. Cole, Herbert M.: Icons: Ideals and Power in the Art of Africa. Washington, 1989. Vandenhoute, René: Masques et sociétés secrètes en Afrique occidentale. Paris, 1948. CAB46744

No. 103501755

Sold
木製の仮面 - グレボ - Côte d'Ivoire  (No reserve price)

木製の仮面 - グレボ - Côte d'Ivoire (No reserve price)

This mask originates from the cultural context of the Grebo (also: Glebo) people in the border region between western Liberia and Ivory Coast, with Touba serving as the northern reference point for stylistic influences within the wider Krou cultural region. Grebo masks are particularly known for their radically abstracted forms, which prioritize visual impact in performative and ritual contexts over naturalistic representation. Incl stand.

The strongly elongated face is dominated by intense polychromy: The blue base provides a visual backdrop against which the three-dimensional elements stand out in stark contrast. The circular eyes, with their central, pupil-like elevations, project a striking presence through their disc-like shape. The central line, accentuated with black beads, structures the face symmetrically and draws the eye in an arc toward the temples. The mask's feathery hair further enhances its distinctive appearance.

The simple, yet elongated triangular nose is flanked by paired, stamp-like protrusions, whose polychrome finish (red, white, yellow, blue) creates an additional rhythmic articulation and is among the mask's most striking features. The small, pointed mouth contrasts with the circular motifs arranged laterally, framed by beaded borders. Another triangular decorative zone below the mouth, along with the raffia "beard," extends the mask into three dimensions.

Through the combination of geometric reduction, serial ornamentation, and color intensity, the mask articulates a unique aesthetic that aims for visual penetration and ritual presence.

Literature (Selection)
Fischer, Eberhard: Afrikanische Kunst. München, 2006.
Cole, Herbert M.: Icons: Ideals and Power in the Art of Africa. Washington, 1989.
Vandenhoute, René: Masques et sociétés secrètes en Afrique occidentale. Paris, 1948.

CAB46744

Final bid
€ 271
No reserve price
Julien Gauthier
Expert
Estimate € 330 - € 400

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