Lot 0243

Pair of Mid 20th C. African Guro Wood Female Gu Masks

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Pair of Mid 20th C. African Guro Wood Female Gu Masks

Item Details

Description

West Africa, Ivory Coast, Guro culture, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A magnificent pair of carved-wood masks representing idealized female beauty, each known as a "gu". Painted in rich hues of crimson and chocolate brown, the nearly identical vizards present elongated visages with full lips, recessed philtrums, triangular noses, narrow nasal bridges, and slit eyes with heavy lids under arched brows, all flanked by a pair of petite ears. A series of three dots, representing ceremonial scarification, adorns both of their convex foreheads, which are capped by dramatic incised hairlines; one undulating with a border of three incised striations and the other zigzagged with diagonal stripes. Both eccentric headdresses feature nude figures kneeling atop their heads, as their hands rest on their thighs. With one male and the other female, each figure displays a sizable head with closed eyes, a petite nose, and an open mouth. The female showcases a bulging, possibly pregnant belly and pointed breasts. Size (roughly the same): 5.75" W x 17" H (14.6 cm x 43.2 cm)

Circular apertures are displayed on the peripheries of both masks, allowing them to be strapped to one's head.

Gu masks are part of a Guro group of masks that are considered a family, consisting of a grotesque animal called a zauli, a horned mask known as a zamble, and a gu, which takes the form of a human. Gu, who is zamble's wife, performs last of the three, and dances slowly and gracefully to flute music as she sings songs in honor of zamble.

Provenance: ex-Phoenicia Holyland Antiquities, New York, New York, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#162645

Condition

Mask with female figure has chip to central scarification mark and miniscule nick to bottom of verso, as well as minor stable fissure on proper left chin periphery. Mask with male figure has a stable fissure curving around its chin and two more fissures to verso of top figure and verso of top of head. Expected light abrasions commensurate with age. Otherwise, very nice with lovely earthen deposits in recessed areas and impressive remaining pigments.

Buyer's Premium

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Pair of Mid 20th C. African Guro Wood Female Gu Masks

Name: Pair of Mid 20th C. African Guro Wood Female Gu Masks
SKU: 108792315
Price: 900 USD
Availability: InStock

Estimate $900 - $1,350

See Sold Price

Starting Price $450

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