Anthropomorphic face mask ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Wè-Wobè · ID: 3052885

Description

wood, black patina,

A formally and stylistically comparable mask, documented as collected in 1931 or earlier, is held in the collections of the Musée du Quai Branly, Paris (see AHDRC 0064326). Its basic form, narrow slitted coffee-bean-shaped eyes, diamond-shaped mouth, as well as the forehead ridge and traditional facial scarification correspond closely.

The present mask was executed within this mask-making tradition, possibly around the same period or earlier. However, the finely symmetrical workmanship and the absence of signs of use suggest that it represents an example of transitional art - that is, a piece already made for sale to Europeans.