African Arts Gallery

African mask depicting a male face bearing scars in relief called "ngole" surmounted by a majestic braided hairstyle. This mask would embody spiritual power.
Abraded light brown patina.

Element missing on a shell bordering the face.
The Yaouré are a subgroup of the Akan people present in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. Geographically close to the Baoulé and the Gouros, Yaouré art was marked by the influence of these ethnic groups through attention to detail and aesthetics. The masks of African art Yaouré , or Yauré , of which the Baoulé or Baule possess similar models, divide into two groups that are difficult to distinguish, the je , sometimes with the addition of colored pigments, and the lo , generally with a dark patina, which occur during funeral ceremonies or any other rite in order to conciliate the favors of the "Yu" spirits. The masked dancers Yoouré, Yahouré, were not to be seen by women, it was also forbidden to photograph them.