Tribal Art

This Baule African mask, a portrait mask or ndoma, has many careful details illustrating Baule refinement. It is also embellished with fine scarifications named " ngole". Dark brown glossy surface.
Acquired at the Hotel des Ventes Giraudeau, ex. Parisian private collection.
Height on base: 39 cm.
Splits.
These portrait masks of the Baule, ndoma , which are part of one of the oldest Baule artistic traditions and frequently represent an idealized character, have the particularity of appearing at the end of ceremonies of entertainment dances.These are named, according to the regions, bedwo , ngblo , mblo , adjussu , etc.... Each of these masks differ in hairstyles, placement and choice of scarification. They perform during danced events accompanied by music and songs, celebrations, visits of personalities, staging various satirical scenarios. The Gbagba of the Baule personify graceful young girls or men whose valour or qualities of integrity are renowned. The new generations are gradually replacing these Mblo dances, called Gbagba in some villages, retaining most of the old conventions, with the Kpan Kpan dance, whose masks raise societal issues or refer to political projects.