Hand Carved Tribal African Art African Baule Ndoma Mask West African MASK- 1685

  

Hand Carved Tribal African Art African Baule Ndoma Mask West African MASK-43.5/17.5 CM. This African Baoulé mask, carved in dense wood, named portrait mask or Ndoma, appears during visits by dignitaries. It has a braided hairstyle mask shared in shells. The serene face, with its modestly lowered eyelids, is enhanced by scarifications called " ngole mask ". The Baoulé mask people (a name from a legend, "Bauli", , son is dead, 9-0022) forms one of the largest tribes in Côte d'Ivoire.

These portraits of the Baoulé, ndoma, which are part of one of the oldest baoulé artistic traditions and frequently represent an idealized character, have the peculiarity of manifesting themselves at the end of the entertainment dance ceremonies. The latter are named, depending on the regions, bedwo, ngblo, mblo, adjussu, etc. When the subject of a portrait mask dies, the mask is no longer used. Each of these masks are distinguished by the hairstyles, the location and the choice of scarifications. They perform during danced events accompanied by music and songs, celebrations, visits of personalities, staging various satirical scenarios. The Gbagba baoulé personify graceful young girls or men whose valour or qualities ofintegrity are reputed. An original patina covers the item.

This item is in the category "Collectibles\Cultures & Ethnicities\African\1900-Now\Masks". The seller is "naga_4823" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to Canada.

1. Country/Region of Manufacture: Cote d'Ivoire
2. Culture: African
3. Handmade: Yes
4. Modified Item: No
5. Provenance: Ownership History Not Available
6. Time Period Manufactured: 1600-1900