No. 105455462

Sold
木製の仮面 - グレボ - Côte d'Ivoire  (No reserve price)
Final bid
€ 185
No reserve price
2 h ago

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

This Grebo fetish mask from the Taï region in western Côte d'Ivoire belongs to an expressive mask tradition of the western coastal region, in which masks were understood not merely as artistic objects but as vessels for spiritual forces. The Grebo, who are culturally part of the Kru group, developed a distinctive visual language characterized by highly abstracted facial features, geometric forms, and an emphasis on materiality. Such masks were used in protective rituals, social ceremonies, and processes of mediation between the human and spiritual worlds. Incl. stand. The mask is dominated by a crown-like forehead section; its original structure is now preserved only in fragmentary form due to a later breakage. The surface features a rhythmic pattern of horizontal bands of blue, red, and white, which further accentuates the architectural structure of the forehead. Below this striking element, two stacked, stamp-like projections appear on either side; these can be interpreted as abstracted eyes. A bold, black-pigmented nose forms the central axis of the composition, separating the symmetrically arranged elements. The slightly open, beak-like projecting mouth reinforces the mask's hybrid character, evoking the fusion of human and animal traits that plays a significant role in many West African mask traditions. Round perforations between the eyes and along the edge of the mask likely served for attachment or ventilation while the mask was being worn. The remaining traces of pigment, along with breakages, cracks, and areas of loss, bear witness to a long history of use and underscore the object's ritual past. Selected Bibliography Fischer, Eberhard / Homberger, Lorenz: *Die Kunst der Elfenbeinküste*. Zurich, 1979. Himmelheber, Hans: *Negerkunst und Negerkünstler*. Braunschweig 1960. Harney, Elizabeth: In Senghor's Shadow: Art, Politics, and the Avant-Garde in Senegal, 1960-1995. Durham 2004. Rubin, William (ed.): Primitivism in 20th Century Art: Affinity of the Tribal and the Modern. New York 1984. Perrois, Louis: Arts de la Côte d'Ivoire. Paris 1993. Informant: Bakari M*A*Z*1*7*1*1*3* The seller guarantees and can prove that the object was obtained legally. The seller was informed by Catawiki that they had to provide the documentation required by the laws and regulations in their country of residence. The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object. The seller will provide all provenance information known about the object to the buyer. The seller ensures that any necessary permits are/will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer immediately about any delays in obtaining such permits.

No. 105455462

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 Grebo fetish mask from the Taï region in western Côte d'Ivoire belongs to an expressive mask tradition of the western coastal region, in which masks were understood not merely as artistic objects but as vessels for spiritual forces. The Grebo, who are culturally part of the Kru group, developed a distinctive visual language characterized by highly abstracted facial features, geometric forms, and an emphasis on materiality. Such masks were used in protective rituals, social ceremonies, and processes of mediation between the human and spiritual worlds. Incl. stand.

The mask is dominated by a crown-like forehead section; its original structure is now preserved only in fragmentary form due to a later breakage. The surface features a rhythmic pattern of horizontal bands of blue, red, and white, which further accentuates the architectural structure of the forehead. Below this striking element, two stacked, stamp-like projections appear on either side; these can be interpreted as abstracted eyes. A bold, black-pigmented nose forms the central axis of the composition, separating the symmetrically arranged elements.

The slightly open, beak-like projecting mouth reinforces the mask's hybrid character, evoking the fusion of human and animal traits that plays a significant role in many West African mask traditions. Round perforations between the eyes and along the edge of the mask likely served for attachment or ventilation while the mask was being worn. The remaining traces of pigment, along with breakages, cracks, and areas of loss, bear witness to a long history of use and underscore the object's ritual past.

Selected Bibliography

Fischer, Eberhard / Homberger, Lorenz: *Die Kunst der Elfenbeinküste*. Zurich, 1979.
Himmelheber, Hans: *Negerkunst und Negerkünstler*. Braunschweig 1960.
Harney, Elizabeth: In Senghor's Shadow: Art, Politics, and the Avant-Garde in Senegal, 1960-1995. Durham 2004.
Rubin, William (ed.): Primitivism in 20th Century Art: Affinity of the Tribal and the Modern. New York 1984.
Perrois, Louis: Arts de la Côte d'Ivoire. Paris 1993.

Informant: Bakari

M*A*Z*1*7*1*1*3*

The seller guarantees and can prove that the object was obtained legally. The seller was informed by Catawiki that they had to provide the documentation required by the laws and regulations in their country of residence. The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object. The seller will provide all provenance information known about the object to the buyer. The seller ensures that any necessary permits are/will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer immediately about any delays in obtaining such permits.

Final bid
€ 185
No reserve price
Dimitri André
Expert
Estimate € 350 - € 430

Similar objects

For you in

アフリカのアート

Set a search alert
Set a search alert to get notified when new matches are available.

This object was featured in

                                        
                                                                                                    
                    
                                        
                                                                                                    
                    
                                        
                                                                                                    
                    
                                        
                                                                                                    
                    

How to buy on Catawiki

Learn more about our Buyer Protection

      1. Discover something special

      Browse through thousands of special objects selected by experts. View the photos, details and estimated value of each special object. 

      2. Place the top bid

      Find something you love and place the top bid. You can follow the auction to the end or let our system do the bidding for you. All you have to do is set a bid for the maximum amount you want to pay. 

      3. Make a secure payment

      Pay for your special object and we’ll keep your payment secure until it arrives safe and sound. We use a trusted payment system to handle all transactions. 

Have something similar to sell?

Whether you're new to online auctions or sell professionally, we can help you earn more for your special objects.

Sell your object