A Baule celebration mask

Estimated price  700 - 900 €

A Baule celebration mask, Ivory Coast, collected in the region of Didievi, provenance Bakari Bouaflé, Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Hairdressing in African art is a rich and meaningful subject. Hairstyles in African cultures are not just about aesthetics—they often carry deep social, cultural, spiritual, and identity significance. The asymmetric hairdress on Baule masks is typically characteristic of masks from the Didievi region in Côte d’Ivoire.
In Baule mask-making, different regions have distinct stylistic features, and the Didievi masks are especially known for their asymmetric hairstyles, which give the mask a dynamic and unique appearance. This contrasts with Baule masks from other regions, where hair or headdresses tend to be more symmetrical and balanced.

While Susan Mullin Vogel provides a comprehensive overview of Baule portrait masks, her work doesn't extensively cover the regional variations in hairdress. However, her observations on the significance of coiffures and ornamentation in Baule masks lay the groundwork for understanding how these elements can vary across different Baule regions. For a more detailed exploration of regional stylistic differences, further ethnographic studies focusing on specific Baule communities would be beneficial

Related to specific hairdreses Vogel notes that the Mblo masks often feature delicately textured zones representing coiffures, scarifications, and other ornaments. These elements are chosen for their beauty and are not strictly iconographic but serve to denote personal beauty, refinement, and a desire to give pleasure to others. Sothebys in Contemporary Art Vogue

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Price on request.

Height: 36 cm
Weight: 2,1 kg incl. stand