African Arts Gallery

African mask from Côte d'Ivoire supposed to cause fear, it is distinguished by its horns joining frontally and laterally between which the features spring. The teeth are apparent, the pupils exorbitate, and the forehead resembles a helmet.
Black brown satin patina, abrasions and cracks. Small accidents.
It is mainly in the west of the Ivory Coast that the Bété use masks linked to the cult of the bagnon. The style of their dance masks was influenced by the Wobé and Guéré populations, together referred to as Wé or "the men who forgive easily", themselves belonging to the cultural group Krou , these traditions having been transmitted to them and taught by the Nyabwa. Of warlike origin but also participating in the resolution of conflicts, this sacred mask is worn accompanied by amulets which protect its wearer from its power against witchcraft. It is in order to strengthen his power through the exercise of customary justice that these masks are made available to the chief. The elements of the bush, protruding volumes of the forehead, horns and fangs, zoomorphic jaw in some cases evoking the gaping mouth of an animal creature, are associated with human traits marking the duality of the divine.