Superb Baule Mask, Côte d'Ivoire
kpan
Wood
Height 16 1/2in (42cm)

Provenance
Sidney Burney Collection, London, 1942
Arthur S. Rothenberg Collection, West Hempstead, New York
Sotheby's, New York, 20 November 1990, Lot 83
Private Collection
Sotheby's, New York, 19 November 1999, Lot 65
English Private Collection

'The inspiration for the art of the carver amongst the Baule probably came from the Senufo and the Guro. They brought no tradition of carving with them from Ghana, but a courtly culture which taught them a certain degree of sophistication and delicacy. The care with which they exhausted their works was derived from the art of the goldsmiths in their ancient homeland.

Amongst the Baule the art of carving is carried out by professional carvers, and not by smiths as in the West Sudan. A successful carver has sufficient means to keep several wives to cultivate his fields. The art of the Baule spans a wide range of qualities. Depending upon the artist's talent and capacity for experience, the works may be superficial and hollow, or, on the other hand, masterpieces of the first rank. In the latter case they are marvellously poetic in their expression and so attractive that they are amongst the favourite prizes of collectors. (Elsy Leuzinger, The Art of Black Africa, New York Graphic Society, Greenwich, 1972, p. 110)

The artist of this superb mask has masterfully captured the essence of the delight in beauty and delicacy found throughout the genre of Baule art. Below the high arched and finely incised coiffure, the oval face with rounded forehead has arching eyebrow, heavy eyelids with eyes nearly closed and an elongated nose above the open mouth revealing teeth; exceptional shiny brown patina.