A Kroumain mask, Kabakouma region, Ivory Coast. incl. stand. This carved wooden face mask belongs to the Krou cultural group (which includes the Grebo, Kroumen, Godié, and Bakwé peoples) of southwestern Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia. It is characterized by a highly geometric, even cubist, aesthetic that combines human, animal, and fantastical features. The facial structures and features include a straight forehead topped by a rounded cap. The cap is encircled by a decorative band in relief, studded with small brass upholstery nails arranged in two rows. The straight nose, with a flat, angular bridge, cuts vertically across the center of the face. The nose is flanked on either side by circular perforations (six holes in total) drilled directly into the wood. The tubular eyes are represented by two prominent, horizontal, cylindrical protrusions. They are highlighted with white kaolin at their tips to accentuate the intensity of the gaze, traditionally symbolizing the power of divination. Two oblique rectangular fins or scarifications enliven the cheeks. The mouth, with thick contours and slightly parted, protrudes forward. The top of the head is flanked by two powerful horns curved inward. They taper at their tips to evoke the strength of a totem animal or livestock. Two massive, similar appendages frame the lower part of the face. They extend downward in a semicircle before curving back inward, encircling the chin and giving the mask a symmetrical silhouette shaped like a claw or an anchor. The wood displays a varied, weathered patina, tinged with a gray-beige color and darker shades in places, revealing its age and raw texture. Literature (selection) Fischer, Eberhard: Dan und Wè: Masken und Skulpturen aus der Elfenbeinküste. Munich, 1985. Vandenhoute, René: Masques et sociétés secrètes en Afrique occidentale. Paris, 1948. Himmelheber, Hans: Negtoart and Negro Artists. Braunschweig, 1960. Glaze, Anita J.: Art and Death in a Senufo Village. Bloomington, 1981. Some of the information is generated by artificial intelligence and is based on published sources from the fields of ethnography, archaeology, and art history. Informant Bakari M*A*Z*1*5*9*6*7* 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.