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HOME :
African & Tribal Art :
Baule Masks : Baule Wooden Goli Mask
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Baule Wooden Goli Mask - PF.4624
Origin: Central Ivory Coast
Circa: 20
th
Century AD
Dimensions:
27" (68.6cm) high
x 12" (30.5cm) wide
Collection: African
Medium: Wood
$6,000.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
Baule sculptures are some of the most
immediately recognizable works of art in Africa.
They constitute wonderfully expressive and
unique objects that are instantly appealing. The
Baule believe that wooden sculptures and masks
allow a closer contact with the supernatural
world. Though ancestors are the object of
worship they are not depicted. Instead, we find
images of individuals ranging from the very
realistic to the highly abstract.
This very lovely mask can be placed in both
categories, comprising two distinct aesthetic
forms. The lower circular shape is the most
abstract. It is bordered by a design of semi-
circles carved from the edge. This serves to give
the face greater vitality and movement. The
mouth is an oblong section of wood with two
rows of perfect teeth; simply carved but very
effective. Equally as surprising are the conical
shaped eyes which shoot out from their sockets
as if in surprise or wonder. A young girl sits on
top of the lower portion, her legs cleverly
incorporated into the wood. She seems to have
sprung from the forehead, (like Athena from her
father Zeus), having instantly sprouted into a
very seductive female holding a disk with her
rope-like arms. She bears the essential
characteristics of a fertility figure, with her
prominent breasts and alluring expression. The
disk she carries repeats the floral pattern of the
bottom section. In fact, the entire mask
resembles a giant exotic flower, blossoming in
some secret world where dancers swirl up dust,
sing old songs, drink palm wine and dream of an
ideal world of benevolent spirits and sensuous
women.
- (PF.4624)
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