Baule ceremonial mask, Dimbokro region, Ivory Coast. Incl. stand. This beautiful carved wooden object is a portrait mask called a Mblo (or Ndoma) from the Baule culture; it is used during celebratory dances. This type of mask depicts the idealized and harmonious features of a real, respected person from the community. Four long, parallel horns rising from the top of the mask are crowned by a spectacular structure featuring vertical, pointed appendages. These stylized elements depict slender horns that curve slightly inward. The base of these horns is attached to the head by a wide, embossed frontal band or diadem, adorned with a series of carved square and rectangular motifs reminiscent of scarifications or braids. The face is slender and elongated, characterized by a high, domed forehead that symbolizes intelligence. The lines convey a sense of great serenity. The almond-shaped, downward-sloping eyes—which are very elongated—are depicted as half-closed by thin horizontal slits, conveying an expression of introspection and respect for the surrounding world. They are surmounted by fine, arched eyebrows that meet to form a long, slender, straight nose. The lips are small, full, and protrude forward. Beneath the chin, there is a small sculpted collar or protrusion forming a characteristic, slender, geometric goatee. The face is adorned with localized relief motifs. There are small circular protrusions placed vertically in the center of the forehead, as well as two groups of prominent button-like motifs arranged geometrically on each cheek, just below the eyes. The mask is carved from a single piece of hard wood. Its surface has an overall dark patina (black to dark brown), alternating between areas that are smooth and satiny from use and areas that are more grainy, where traces of light or earthy pigments remain (such as on the tips of the horns or the reliefs on the cheeks). "The Baule masks, with their refined elegance and serene expressions, are not merely objects of visual admiration but are imbued with profound cultural meaning. In the Mblo performances, masks become living portraits, embodying the virtues and achievements of their human counterparts. The narrow, slit-like eyes, symbolizing introspection and wisdom, coupled with high foreheads and intricate scarification, reflect the Baule ideals of beauty and moral character. Meanwhile, the Goli masks, with their powerful, circular forms and bold horns, act as mediators between the living and the spiritual world, ensuring harmony and protection within the community. Each mask, whether for entertainment or ritual, serves a dual purpose: as a testament to Baule artistic mastery and as a vital instrument in maintaining the social and spiritual fabric of the people." Source: Susan Mullin Vogel, "Baule: African Art, Western Eyes," was published in 1997 by Yale University Press WJ „Isn't this a mask from Dimbokro, because the is a strong stylistic relation to the Tokokro village?“ Bakari Bouafé „This is a Daoukro mask, not a Dimbokro one, because Baule masks from Daoukro have round eyes, unlike the Dimbokro masks. This type of mask generally comes from the regions of Tiebissou, Sakassou, or Bouaké; only the shape of the eyes differs between these regions. This is a Baule mask from the Daoukro region.“ Totokro is a village in central Côte d’Ivoire that is known in Baule art for a distinctive style of sculpture. Some Baule masks and figures collected from Totokro are attributed to an anonymous artist referred to by scholars as the Totokro Master. This artist’s works include male portrait masks (mblo) and other figures, recognized for their specific style, such as the shape of the eyes, proportions, and facial features. In Baule culture, villages often have their own carving traditions and stylistic traits, so identifying a piece as coming from Totokro helps experts group works by style and origin, even when the individual carver is unknown. Pieces attributed to Totokro are part of important museum collections and have appeared in Sothe by’s auctions, showing the significance of the village in the study and collection of Baule art. 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 MAZ15206