BAOULE Mask

Provenance
Private Dutch collection.
Lucas Ratton, Paris, France.

Description
This Baoule mask represents a human face revered for its beauty. The features are finely sketched. The mouth is slightly prognathous and is surmounted by a long and thin nose. The eyes are half closed and the eyelids are protruding.

The ears are finely detailed and ritual scarifications appear on the cheeks and temples. Some ritual kaolin is still visible on the mouth and on the scarifications of the mask. The headdress is high and presents a crest on its top. It is subtly incised.

The laquered black patina intensifies the delicate carving of this elegant model of Baoule sculpture.