Moon mask with figural crest ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Baule · ID: 3034286

Description

wood, rich reddish- and honey brown patina, a vaulted round face, with symmetrical facial features concentrated on a narrow area, framed by a disc-shaped rim with zigzag-contour, on top of two struts crowned by a sitting figure in colon style, shown in profile, sitting in a boat, slightly dam., fine cracks (chin), water spots (figure), minor missing parts at the back of the rim, metal socle;
rather uncommon, rare mask type !
Certain Baule villages sometimes have masks (nowadays painted in bright colours) relating to the spirits of nature, the sun or the moon, which appear at the opening of a festival (“gbagba”, “adjusu”, “adiemele” etc.) - while among the neighbouring Yaure the “moon” mask is thoroughly sacred. The Baules “moon” masks dance just a little to “warm the dance place” for the arrival of more important masks and then depart.

Comparing literature

Vogel, Susan Mullin, Baule - African Art - Western Eyes, New York 1997, p. 160 f.