Masque facial anthropomorphe "kpan" · Côte d'Ivoire, Baoulé · ID: 3049705
Theo Niermeijer (1940-2005), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Niermeijer was a dutch sculptor, painter, graphic artist, installation artist and architect.
Description
wood, pigments, plant fibre, fabric, rest.
A stylistically very similar mask, probably from the same workshop, was auctioned on 11 November 2017 as lot 236 at Zemanek-Münster (AHDRC 0147553).
“Kpan” masks are part of the “goli” mask ensemble, which can be performed both as an entertainment and for the funerals of important men.
The masks “kpan” appear as the last pair of masks towards the end of the “goli” festival. With portrait-like faces and elaborate hairstyles, they embody the ideal woman. “Kpan” (“the older woman”) is considered the wife of “goli glin” (= the older man").
“Kpan’s” performance is theatrically managed for greatest effect. When they arrive, it is nearly dusk, and women have been dancing and singing through the streets in anticipation, begging “kpan” to come. The women receive the masks as beloved personages, fanning them with scarves and dancing joyously beside them.
L’objet Masque facial anthropomorphe “kpan” avec l’ID d’objet 3049705 a fait partie de la dernière vente aux enchères Vente 100 dans 15 avril 2023 le Zemanek-Münster Hôtel des ventes. L’objet portant le numéro de lot 33 a atteint un prix de vente de 5 500 €.
Vous trouverez d’autres Masques et autres types d’objets populaires sur nos pages thématiques associées. Notre page sur le thème Art africain pourrait également vous intéresser.
Littérature comparée
Vogel, Susan Mullin, Baule, African Art - Western Eyes, New York 1997, p. 178