Portrait mask of a notable "mblo" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Baule · ID: 3035812

Description

wood, shiny black patina, kaolin, camwood powder, diadem-shaped fine grooved coiffure with a bun on one side, elaborate beard - jagged on both sides - in form of three lobes at the chin, fine dashed brows, delicate scarifications, a beautiful formed mouth accentuated by camwood powder, slightly dam. (eyes, nose), crack and small missing part (at the chin on the left), abrasion of paint;
masks like the present represent recognized, named individuals. The men and women portrayed in masks are known for their great skill as dancers, for their exceptional beauty, or because they are important political figures. Most “mblo” portrait masks can be recognized by their facial features, their hairstyles, and their scarifications as depictions of known men and women. They perform at “gbagba” masquerades. In the past, this entertainment was danced several times a month but in the second half of the twentieth century the masks were losing their cachet, appearing less often - mainly at women’s funerals.

The object Portrait mask of a notable “mblo” with the object ID 3035812 was last part of the auction 75th tribal art auction at November 30, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 76 achieved a sales price of EUR 8,000.

You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.

Comparing literature

Vogel, Susan Mullin, Baule, African Art - Western Eyes, New York 1997, p. 141