This “Masque royal Baule” from the Sakassou region in Côte d’Ivoire reflects the refined aesthetic principles of Baule portrait sculpture, where the human face is not conceived as an individual portrait but as an idealized embodiment of beauty, restraint, and social harmony. Incl stand. The mask is typically carved from dense hardwood with a carefully polished surface and a dark, often subtly glossy patina that suggests long use in performance contexts. The face is oval and highly balanced in proportion, dominated by a broad, high forehead. The eyes are elongated and almond-shaped, often half-closed or gently downcast, producing a serene, introspective expression. The nose is narrow and straight, descending in a continuous vertical line that emphasizes calm structural symmetry, while the small, closed mouth reinforces an impression of dignity and emotional control. The cheeks are softly modelled, avoiding sharp transitions and instead favoring a continuous, flowing sculptural surface. The coiffure is typically carefully structured, either as a smooth cap-like form or as elaborately arranged hair patterns, sometimes accompanied by stylized scarification marks that signal cultural ideals rather than individual identity. In its overall conception, the mask embodies equilibrium, moderation, and idealized human proportion, all central to Baule artistic philosophy in the Sakassou region. Mask and sculpture traditions from the Sakassou area are also among the most highly sought-after categories of Baule art on the international art market. Auction results at major houses such as Sothe by’s and Christie’s consistently demonstrate strong demand for works from this stylistic group, reflecting both their aesthetic refinement and their historical prominence within the broader corpus of Baule sculpture. Boyer, Alain-Michel, Baule: African Art, Western Eyes, 5 Continents, Milan 2008. Vogel, Susan Mullin, Baule: African Art, Western Eyes, Yale University Press, New Haven 1997. LaGamma, Alisa (ed.), African Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, various catalogues. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Portrait face mask (Baule), collection database, Smithsonian Institution, Art of the Baule, research and collection resources, Sothe by’s, Baule mask, Côte d’Ivoire, Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, auction catalogue entry, Sothe by’s, Baule mask, Côte d’Ivoire, Arts d’Afrique, d’Océanie et des Amériques, auction catalogue entry, Sothe by’s, Baule zoomorphic mask, Côte d’Ivoire, auction catalogue entry, Christie’s, Baule mask entry, Côte d’Ivoire, auction catalogue, Dalton Somaré Gallery, Baule Sakassou mask, collection note, Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, Ndoma portrait mask This description was created with the help of our local informant Bakari Bouaflé and additionally with the aid of AI. Despite careful individual verification of the information provided by our informant, errors or inaccuracies may occur in the description due to the use of artificial intelligence. M*A*Z*1*3*2*6*0* 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.