A Bete mask

Estimated price  600 - 800 €

A Bete mask, Ivory Coast. Incl. stand.

The Bété people of the Ivory Coast, primarily found in the Gagnoa region, are renowned for their distinctive and powerful masks, which play a central role in their spiritual, social, and political life. Bété masks are integral to ceremonies such as initiation rites, funerals, and conflict resolution, serving as vehicles for ancestral spirits and community guardians.
Bété masks are often characterized by their bold and expressive forms, featuring large, rounded eyes, prominent noses, and wide mouths with bared teeth. Many masks incorporate animalistic elements, such as horns or crests, symbolizing strength and spiritual power. The designs frequently use strong geometric patterns and a limited palette dominated by black, white, and red, which enhance their dramatic effect during performances.
During rituals, these masks are worn by initiated men who perform dances to communicate with the spirit world, enforce social order, and protect the community. The masks embody ancestral spirits and are believed to possess magical powers to ward off evil and bring about justice.
Art historian Robert Farris Thompson describes Bété masks as:
“potent embodiments of ancestral authority, their forceful visages crafted not simply to intimidate but to mediate between the living and the spirits. Their striking features and vigorous performances enact the ongoing dialogue between tradition, morality, and social cohesion.”
(African Art in Motion, 1974)

Sotheby's, Met Museum , Gallerie Wolfgang Jaenicke

wj

Price on request.

Height: 30 cm / 43 cm incl. stand
Weight: 1,6 kg incl. stand