West Africa, Ivory Coast, Baule peoples, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A hand-carved dark wood mask with a heavy, squared-off brow line and long, slender nose; there is a mouth opening on the bottom. Carved as part of the mask are two ears that give a strong simian impression. There is a line of drilled holes around the back edges of the mask; the eyes are also hollowed out. The Baule are one of the largest ethnic groups in coastal West Africa and they are renowned mask makers, and this piece may have been part of a ceremony celebrating animal and human spiritual duality, a common theme in traditional West African cultures. Size: 13.5" L x 7.5" W (34.3 cm x 19 cm)

Provenance: ex-private California, USA collection; ex-Peter Arnovick collection, Los Altos, California, USA

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#181824

Nice patina with expected surface wear, some abrasions and chips, but otherwise intact and in excellent condition