Mask of the "mblo" group ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Baule · ID: 3034110

Description

wood, dark brown patina, remains of pigments, an oval, vaulted base, the actual mask face superimposed, elaborate coiffure, min. dam., cracks, small missing parts, slight traces of abrasion;
the dances that feature “mblo” masks are always “women’s” dances, so called because women may participate, and because the style of the dance movement is considered feminine and very beautiful. In the minds of the Baule, these masks are associated with the village and with women, although it is of course men who wear them in dances. These dances, called “gbagba”, 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 object Mask of the “mblo” group with the object ID 3034110 was last part of the auction 72nd tribal art auction at March 9, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 285 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,500.

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Comparing literature

David, Jean, Baule, Zürich 2001, p. 45