Large antelope mask of the mask ensemble "dye" · Côte d'Ivoire, Guro · ID: 3043457
sold
EUR 800
Provenance
Pierre Robin, Paris, France (1998)Size
H: 100 cm
H: 39.4 inch
Description
wood, painted in black, colour accents in red and yellow, drilled holes (from metal tags), rep. in several places (horns, snout), missing part.
During the “dye” mask performances, animal masks first appear as a kind of vanguard, as emissaries of the “higher” anthropomorphic masks. In addition to the dog, hippopotamus, goat and buffalo the animal masks represent an astonishing variety of different types of antelopes, which can be distinguished according to the length and shape of their horns. “Dye” masks are used in legal cases and have a protective function, occur at funerals and are also used for entertainment purposes.
Comparing literature
Fischer, Eberhard & Lorenz Homberger, Die Kunst der Guro, Elfenbeinküste, Zürich 1985, p. 108 ff.
Publications
AHDRC: 0150436