Mask "gla"
Côte d'Ivoire, Bete / Wè-Guéré or Kru
sold
EUR 2,600
Provenance
Bernd Muhlack, Kiel, GermanyWalter Schmidt, Würzburg/Innsbruck, Germany/Austria
Size
H: 26,5 cm
H: 10.4 inch
Description
wood, shiny blackish brown patina, metal nails, the face consists of geometrical forms projecting from a plane back-panel and clamp-like projections arranged horizontally in front of the face, field of vision riddled with small holes, slightly dam., minor missing parts (field of vision);
present mask type which rather resembles a knights helmet with visor, originally was used by warriors. In later times it appears at celebrations, particularly funerals, or at the ceremony marking the end of mourning, or in honour of an important person.
Comparing literature
Barbier, Jean Paul (ed.), Art of Côte d' Ivoire, Vol II, Genève 1993, p. 89Publications
AHDRC: 0141959