Face mask "bla" (ram) or "tu bodu" (bush cow) · Côte d'Ivoire, Yaure · ID: 3046581
Mark Eglinton, New York, USA
Description
wood, colour pigments, base
Most Yaure masks show a human face combined with animal attributes. They belong to either the “je” or the “lo” masks, two mask groups which are difficult to differentiate. They are used to influence supernatural forces “yu” which cause harm to humans but also ensure their well-being.
As emblems of the “yu”, the masks are considered particularly dangerous and the sight of them is therefore strictly forbidden to women.
Especially a death that breaks up the social order requires the appearance of the masks. Through their dance they restore the disturbed social balance and accompany the dead into the world of the ancestors.
The object Face mask “bla” (ram) or “tu bodu” (bush cow) with the object ID 3046581 was last part of the auction 94th Tribal Art Auction at March 7, 2020 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 248 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,000.
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
Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Genf, München, New York 1997, ill. 38