A Guro mask, Ivory Coast, of oval and hollowed form, a small pointed mouth beneath a slender thin nose, dividing the two diagonal slit eye, painted in white, the forehead is bulging, the hairdo is pulled up in a bun, passing through a large square ornament, the rims of the mask are marked with holes to fit a costume; fine, dark-brown surface, partly shiny, white pigment on the eyes and hair, some remaining rope of both ends, a large dimple on the right side of the fore head.
incl. stand

"In Guro culture, distinctions are made between masquerades that are the focus of cults and those that are more secular in nature. A sequence of three sacred masks centers around Zamble, a mythical male being whose form fuses antelope and leopard features. He is in turn complemented by his beautiful wife, Gu, and his wild, grotesque brother, Zuali. Such representations are owned by certain families that use them as the loci of sacrificial offerings proposed by diviners to improve their well-being. In contrast, other Guro mask forms, which serve only as sources of entertainment, are designed by individual performers."

Source: The MET.

sold

Height: 40 cm
Height: 57 cm incl. stand
Weight: 800 g incl. stand