Zemanek-Münster

Face mask of the "mblo"group

Côte d'Ivoire, Baule
sold EUR 2,500
Provenance
Bernd Muhlack, Kiel, Germany
Harald & Ursula Suhr, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada / Germany (1983)
Size
H: 25,5 cm
H: 10.0 inch

Description

wood, blackish brown patina, flat face with a multi-lobed coiffure with fine grooves and rich skin scarification marks, the virtual facial features concentrated on a rather small area, slightly dam., minor missing parts, cracks;
masks of the “mblo” group do not have any ritual meaning, they exclusively appear for entertainment. They represent beautiful women or girls from the village and have definitely portrayal character. They may as well represent men who became known for bravery or outstanding social behaviour.


Comparing literature

Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Genf, München, New York 1997, ill. 124

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