Face mask of the "mblo" group
Description
wood, partly shiny patina, dark paint, remains of pigments, plant fibre cord, hollowed base with an oval mask face to the front, crowned by an elaborated coiffure, schematized facial features with scarification marks, rep. (breakage at the back), small missing parts, slight traces of abrasion, base;
“mblo” masks appear at the so-called “gbagba” dances, which are for entertainment on the Baule days of rest, the new year, the arrival of important visitors, and the national holiday. The masks also appear at the funerals of important women, and very occasionally of men particularly associated with the dance. The final appearances of the dance are portraits of known villagers, greeted joyously, fanned and escorted to a chair where they sit briefly before departing. Most “mblo” portrait masks can be recognized by their facial features, their hairstyles, and their scarifications as depictions of known men and women.