Zemanek-Münster

Anthropomorphic face mask "kpélié" ("kpeli yehe") ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Senufo · ID: 3049704

not available anymore
Provenance
André J.F. Köbben (1925-2019), Amsterdam / Leiden, Netherlands
Adrian Schlag, Brussels, Belgium
Size
H: 26 cm
H: 10.2 inch

Description

wood, blackened, colour pigments, base

For a stylistically comparable mask from the collections of the Linden Museum Stuttgart (inv.no. F 55.636), ex Jacob Epstein (1880-1959), London, see AHDRC 0181144.

The present mask captivates with a refined linear design of the facial features and a magnificently balanced dynamic symmetry.

“Kpélié” masks are considered an idealised representation of female beauty. According to Glaze, the masks are both visually and in terms of content the counterpart to the large zoomorphic helmet masks “wanyugo”, which are associated with male authority and dangerous forces. In some Senufo groups both types of mask perform as a pair. Their balanced interplay gives visual expression to the complementary roles of men and women.


The object Anthropomorphic face mask “kpélié” (“kpeli yehe”) with the object ID 3049704 was last part of the auction Sale 100 at April 15, 2023 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 48.

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

Grootaers, Jan-Lodewijk & Ineke Eisenburger (ed.), Forms of Wonderment, Vol. I, Berg en Dal 2002, p. 124


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