African Arts Gallery

The Baoulé in African art.
This entertaining African mask is surmounted by braids gathered in shells like a tiara. The eyelids are coated with white pigments. The face is bordered by a trim with geometric patterns and extended by an outgrowth evoking a beard. Traditional raised scars are called ngole. . Object carved in dense wood. Brown, black and reddish brown patina, kaolin highlights.

Baoulé masks correspond to three types of dance: the gba gba, for the funeral of women, the bonu amuen for the commemoration of the dead of notables and the goli for various events. These masks which do not represent ancestors but sometimes young teenagers are worn by men. It is in order to reconcile the favors of the "amwin" spirits, providers of prosperity, health or even security, that it manifests itself among the Wan and the Baoulé.