African Arts Gallery

Baoule mask (N° 19770)

Ex-collection African art French.
This large African mascotBaoulé, a sculpture called portrait mascot or Ndoma, has a braided hairstyle gathered in shells. The placid physiognomy of the face, with half-closed eyes, is raised by the scarifications named "ngole". Smooth satin patina.
These Baule portrait masks, ndoma, which are part of one of the oldest Baule artistic traditions and frequently represent an idealized character, have the particularity of appearing at the end of entertainment dance ceremonies.These are named, according to the regions, bedwo, ngblo, mblo, adjussu, etc.... Each of these masks are distinguished by hairstyles, placement and choice of scarification. They perform during danced events accompanied by music and songs, celebrations, visits of personalities, staging various satirical scenarios. The Gbagba of the Baule personify graceful young girls or men whose valour or qualities of integrity are renowned. The new generations are gradually replacing these Mblo dances, called Gbagba in some villages, retaining most of the old conventions, with the Kpan Kpan dance, whose masks raise societal issues or refer to political projects.