Rare Old African Art "Baule (Goli)" masks Set. The delicately wooden carved hollow oval masks with flange encircling the face, an elegant tapering chin with pursed mouth beneath a broad naturalistic nose and large pierced half-closed eyes highlighted by a double decorative motif forming the eyebrows. The masks have fine and varied encrusted black brown patina. The mask pictured in left side of main image has a standing bird at the crown with fine decoration on the wings and tail. The mask pictured in right side of main image has a crowned bird bust with some cracks regarding to age. The Baule (Goli) masks belong to Ivory Coast territory culture in West Africa and probably 19 century age. Measurement: left side mask at main picture (standing bird as crown) is H 18.5" x 6" x 4.1/4"; middle side mask at main picture is H 15" x 7.5" x 4"; right side mask at main picture (crowned bird bust on top) H18" x 6" x 7.1/4". About Masks History: This type of African mask is a Baule mask which is also known as a Goli mask. It is used in tribal dances during harvest festivals, in processions to honour distinguished visitors and at the funerals of important figures. The Baule people are a farming culture from the Ivory Coast in West Africa. They use masks in a daylong festival of dancing and celebration called goli. The tradition developed after 1910, adapted from neighboring cultures. The festival uses four kinds of masks. One represents a junior male called kple kple, often worn by younger members of the group.