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Baule OLD Portrait Mask w Custom Stand Antique African Art Tribal Masque Cote d'Ivoire
A Sublime Old Baule Baoule Portrait Mask Antique African Art - Tribal Masque - Cote d'Ivoire
Collected from the: Baule Baoule peoples of Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa Material: Carved wood, pigment, skin oil, custom stand Period: Early 20th century Dimensions: 16.5" height, 7.5" width, 5.5" depth; weight is 2.00 pounds or 23" height, 3.25 pounds on stand Condition: Excellent. From a private Houston collection, exquisite signs of age and wear from authentic tribal use, age cracks and nicks stable, exposed wood displays significant patination. Make special note of the perfect symmetry, serene expression, intricate coiffure, surface condition, hole wear, and intact bite bar: dark, ritually oiled patina displays traces of skin oil on smooth, worn interior/exterior rim indicative of frequent tribal wear and handling - a splendid specimen !
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Baule Baoule Mask Traditions and Use
The Baule used three major types of masks, the first of which was a buffalo shaped helmet known as Bonu Amwin. The second type belonged to a group known as Mblo, Blo, Ngblo, Gbo, Ajusu and/or Gbagba, depending on the region, which represented a human face with rounded, fairly realistic features. The third type included masks related to the Goli festival. The second type of Baule face masks, known as Mblo or Blo, were characterized by a rounded face with realistic features, pointed chin, T-shaped nose, semi-circular eyes, raised scarification typical of the Baule tribe, and an elaborate coiffure. They do not appear to have had any sacred function and were worn only in dance intended to entertain during festivities related to visits by important dignitaries. As “portraits” of a beautiful woman or man, Alain-Michel Boyer emphasized that a faithful likeness of the model was not the point, for, as one of his Baule contacts explained, “a sculptor is no photographer.” Old Baule masks with figures are rare though an ever varied range of birds was a favored motif as artists and owners chose these for their beauty rather than for any symbolic value.
History of the Baule Baoule Tribe "The Baule represent one of the most important tribes of the central Cote d'Ivoire region of West Africa . Their name is testimony to their birth - according to legend, Queen Aba Pokou led her people on an exodus towards the gold mining areas during the 18th century and had to cross a river where she was obliged to sacrifice her oldest son to the river god, thus giving her people the name Bauli, 'the son is dead'. During the 19th century, the queendom disintegrated due to internal conflicts and by the beginning of the 20th century, when the French colonials arrived, they found only a network of villages, headed by councils of venerated men.", according to Bacquart. The Baule are known for their figurative carvings of statues and masks, along with their figurative decoration of everyday objects such as doors, boxes, heddle pulleys, drum tappers, and gold and bronzes pendants and jewelry designs which clearly display a strong influence from their Akan ancestry.
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Please contact us immediately if ~ for any reason ~ you are not pleased with your selection. We will gladly refund the purchase price of any item returned in its original condition within 14 days of dated delivery. Our commitment to 5 Star customer service and satisfaction ensures that YOUR satisfaction is Unconditionally Guaranteed ~ NO questions asked!
*The estimated delivery time is based on the seller's handling time, the shipping service selected, and when the seller receives cleared payment. Sellers are not responsible for shipping service transit times. Transit times may vary, particularly during peak periods.
Please contact us immediately if ~ for any reason ~ you are not pleased with your selection. We will gladly refund the purchase price of any item returned in its original condition within 14 days of dated delivery. Our commitment to 5 Star customer service and satisfaction ensures that YOUR satisfaction is Unconditionally Guaranteed ~ NO questions asked!
The buyer is responsible for return shipping costs.
We're delighted to combine shipments and reduce your costs, simply email your Zip/Postal Code PRIOR to making payment. All major credit cards and PayPal are gladly accepted. Payment is expected within 7 days of your purchase. In consideration of discounts given, we respectfully request immediate payment on all Best Offers unless arrangements are made prior to acceptance. Please contact us directly if other payment arrangements are necessary - we're always happy to help!
Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing.
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