A Yaure mask de la sagesse (wise), Ivory Coast, collected in the region Zagota, prevenance Alpha Gazambo. surmounted byfour birds touching beaks. Dark wood, glossy patina; signs of ritual use . Certificate of origin and provenance.

Yaure masks are among the most refined and symbolically rich examples of West African mask traditions, crafted by the Yaure people, who live between the Baule and Guro ethnic groups in central Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). These masks are known for their elegant, balanced forms, harmonious proportions, and sophisticated symbolism that reflect the Yaure’s deep spiritual beliefs and aesthetic ideals.

Yaure masks are most often used in funerary rites and public ceremonies, where they serve to honor the dead, protect the living, and maintain social harmony. They are typically associated with the lo society, a men’s initiation and regulatory group that performs dances during key life transitions and community rituals. The masks are not seen as mere art objects but as powerful spiritual tools capable of mediating between the human world and the supernatural.

Characteristically, Yaure masks are oval-faced with delicately arched eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, fine noses, and closed or slightly parted mouths, often conveying serenity and restraint. Many include elaborate coiffures or vertical elements above the head, which may symbolize birds or abstract spiritual entities. A distinctive trait of Yaure masks is the use of a central ridge running vertically down the face, and a refined interplay between black and reddish-brown tones, often polished to a soft sheen.

The Yaure hold that these masks embody yu spirits—invisible beings that dwell in the forest and can bring both harm and protection. When performed in ritual dances, the masked figure becomes a conduit for these spirits, helping to restore balance and healing to the community.

Scholar Susan Vogel, a major authority on Ivorian art, describes the significance of Yaure masks:
“The Yaure mask is not simply a sculptural masterpiece—it is a manifestation of ethical and spiritual ideals. Its balanced features and poised demeanor express a vision of controlled emotion and moral clarity. In performance, the mask is transformed, animated by the dancer and music to bridge the human world and that of the yu spirits, negotiating life, death, and communal order.”
(African Art in the Cycle of Life, Susan Vogel, 1986.

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Height: 39 cm / 51 cm incl. stand
Weight: 1,4 kg incl. stand