Anthropomorphic face mask "kpan" of the "goli" group · Côte d'Ivoire, Baule · ID: 3046635
Adrian Schlag, Brussels, Belgium
Christie’s Paris, 15 June 2010, Lot 24
Description
wood, pigments, insect caused damage, base
Baule “goli” performances consist of four red/ black, male/ female dance mask pairs appearing in a pre-defined order.
The two anthropomorphic masks with crested hairstyle are called “kpan” (“the senior woman”) and represent the wife of “goli glin” (“the senior man”), who already appeared as the second pair of masks.
“Kpan’s” performance is theatrically managed for greatest effect. When they arrive, it is nearly dusk, and women have been dancing and singing through the streets in anticipation, begging “kpan” to come.
The object Anthropomorphic face mask “kpan” of the “goli” group with the object ID 3046635 was last part of the auction 94th Tribal Art Auction at March 7, 2020 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 229.
You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.
Comparing literature
Vogel, Susan Mullin, Baule, African Art - Western Eyes, New York 1997, p. 187
Publications
AHDRC: 0138289