Ivory Coast Baule people. Old and Impressive Ceremonial mask. Naked female on top. Decorated with bronze studs. Traces of black and red pigmentation. Early 1900 circa. 2420 gr. - 58x16x22 cm. Extremely fine. Rare. Provenance Fall Elhadji. The Baule are one of the Akan peoples. They moved west to the Ivory Coast more than 200 years ago and adpted masking traditions from their neighbors, the Guro, Senufo and Yaure peoples. There are three basic types used in a special dance of rejoicing called Goli, symbolizing the social order. This mask is either a Kpan, (with elaborate coiffures and refined carving; they represent the Senior female in Goli ceremonies) or a Ndoma (an idealized portrait mask used at the close of ceremonies.)