African Arts Gallery

This imposing mask, carved in dense wood, bears the various influences of groups living near the Guro, such as the Yaure and the Bete. Representing a male ancestor or a dignitary of the village, it is surmounted by figures carved in the round, a man flanked by women, probably his wives.
Speckled golden light brown patina. Slight losses and cracks.
It is mainly in the west of the Ivory Coast that the Bété use masks whose style has been influenced by the gla mask society glaé of the Wobé and Guéré populations, together referred to as Wé or "the men who forgive easily", himself belonging to the group cultural Krou , these traditions having been transmitted to them and taught by the Nyabwa .