Rare Baoule Gou Dance Mask

This beautifully carved, symmetrical portrait mask is from the Baoule people of the Ivory Coast. Of elongated form, it has four eyes; delicately rendered eyebrows over each; three fine, aquiline noses; small, pursed lips; ears with spikey protuberances top and bottom; and a domed head surmounted by two further heads on stalks. The faces of these mirror that of the larger mask. The mask has been coloured selectively with ochre.

A related example in France’s Musee du Quai Branly is illustrated in Musee du Quai Branly (2006, p. 180). The Museum says in respect of that mask (inventory no.: 73.1963.0.109) that such portrait masks, discernible for their fine, symmetrical traits, were worn for secular, entertainment purposes such as in dance competitions between villages. Crowned with twin faces, such masks celebrate the perfect balance of twins. The Museum dates its mask to the end of the 19th century of the beginning of the the 20th century.

Holes have been drilled around the edge of the mask to allow it to be attached to cloth or raffia which was then pulled over the dancer’s head to hold it in place.

Such masks seem to relate to those of the Bobo people in adjacent Burkina Faso in terms of the angular features; small, rounded ears; aquiline nose; the pursed mouth; and the narrow eyes.

The Baoule People came from present-day Ghana in the 18th century according to oral tradition and believe themselves to be part of the wider Akan people. They settled in the centre of the Ivory Coast and adopted the mask traditions of their Gouro and Yohoure neighbours.

The mask here has a fine patina and obvious age. There is some old loss to the ‘neck’ – one side has a chip. But even the loss here has a good patina further suggesting good age and tribal use. Overall, this is an excellent mask – finely carved and with unquestionable patina.

The mask comes with a custom-made black metal display stand.