Masks - Wood - Baule - Ivory Coast

A Baule or Guro double-face mask surmounted with a female figure attached to curved horns, Ivory Coast, collected close to Yamoussoukro, region of Bouaflé. Sometimes it is difficult to pinpoint a Baule mask exactly to this ethnic group or to one of its neighbors, in this case the Guro. In any case the function more or less similar: to celebrate the joy of giving birth to twins, and to celebrate them in order to manifest the immense admiration of those around them. Under the Baule people this mask is called "Nda", according the two shades implying a distinction, one suggesting femininity and the other masculinity. The two curved horns on top show the similarity of two different aspects, which are held together by the female figure crowning the mask. Condition report. To verify the sculpture in all details of its condition, we recommend you to visit our gallery, so you can get a personal impression.