A Guro mask

Estimated price  800 - 1.000 €

A Guro mask, Ivory Coast, called "mask de la maturité", collected in the region of Gohitafla. Certificate of origin and provenance. Incl. stand.

The Guro mask known as the "masque de la maturité" from Gohitafla, Côte d’Ivoire, embodies the Guro people's ideals of feminine beauty, social status, and spiritual significance. Characterized by its refined features—such as a narrow, well-proportioned face, high forehead, and elaborate coiffure—this mask represents a young woman of high social rank. The absence of scarification marks and the presence of adornments like leopard teeth further emphasize her elevated status.

In performance, the masque de la maturité is part of a sequence that includes other masks like Zauli and Zamble, each representing different aspects of Guro cosmology. The Gu mask, often considered the wife of Zamble, performs with grace and dignity, accompanied solely by flute music, highlighting her role in honoring ancestors and embodying the community's aesthetic values.

This mask not only serves as a visual representation of maturity and beauty but also plays a crucial role in ceremonies that reinforce social cohesion and cultural identity among the Guro people.

Price on request.

Height: 43 cm without stand
Weight: 1,5 kg incl. stand