Fine and Rare Grebo Mask, Côte d'Ivoire
Wood, encrustations, pigments, nails, vegetable fiber
Height 16 1/4in (41cm)

Provenance
Mr. & Mrs. George Perutz Collection, Dallas
Guy Loudmer, Paris, 8-10 December 1990, Lot 150
Belgian Private Collection
Galerie Didier Claes, Brussels
Private Collection

A Certificate of Authenticity from Didier Claes accompanies the work.

Literature
African Art from Dallas Collections, Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, 1972, fig. 223

Exhibited
Dallas, Texas, African Art from Dallas Collections, Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, 26 July - 4 September, 1972

Mario Meneghini notes, 'In forest zone mythology, masks are gods among men. In view of their essential function, which is to make sensible the invisible realm, masks are not complete in themselves but must be mounted on a straw structure and animated from inside by a human, the masker. The earthly heaven from which the masked figures come out is a particular area within the forest where the rituals and ceremonies take place. When masks are called to perform, it is either for ritual purposes to be seen only by initiates, or for entertaining people on particular occasions. They are protected by various taboos, the transgressions of which are punishable by death. The fear these masks inspire has earned them the name of 'devils' among the peoples of the coast.' ('The Grebo Mask,' African Arts, 1974, Vol. VIII, no. 1)

Powerfully composed with a large, domed forehead crowned with buffalo horns, bound and tied together with vegetable fiber, large sunken eye sockets and naturalistic nose; the rich, black patina highlighted with red, white, ochre and blue pigments.

Old losses to tips of horns and around rim; break and repair to right horn; holes throughout both sides around rim and bottom, many with nails still inserted; losses to pigmentation; nicks, scratches, abrasions and wear consistent with age and use. Custom stand.