A Baule Mask, "mblo" Lot n° 42

Mask, "mblo" Baule, Côte d'Ivoire Ohne Sockel / without base Wood, bronze. H 31 cm. Provenance: - Private collection P. Bernades, Paris. - Galerie Lecomte, Alain and Abla Lecomte, Paris. - 2008: Private collection in French-speaking Switzerland. Published: Exhibition catalog "Tribal & Textile Arts 2008", San Francisco. Gallery Alain Lecomte, Paris. Exhibited: Tribal & Textile Arts Show in San Francisco. February 2008, Galerie Alain Lecomte, Paris. Expertise no. 201.01.08 by Alain Lecomte, Paris. Dignified dance mask of the entertaining mblo dance theater, which was redefined again and again like the Commedia dell'arte. The characters and masks, as well as the plot structure, offered the trained performers room and opportunity for improvisation. The idealized, introverted face was usually the portrait of a well-known person. The elaborate hairstyle, an expression of personal beauty and the desire to give pleasure to others, testifies to the carver's craftsmanship and the pleasure he took in giving free rein to his skills. Further reading: Vogel, Susan M. (1997). Baule. Yale: University Press. CHF 10 000 / 15 000 Weight in grams: 506 Condition: The condition (any wear, signs of use, tears, any other deterioration and signs of age, etc.) of this lot can be seen in the photos we have uploaded for your documentation. If you have any questions about this item, please do not hesitate to contact Hammer Auctions (info@hammerauktionen.ch). The information regarding the condition of the items provided for the convenience of interested parties is an opinion only and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Hammer Auctions accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions. In the rare event that the item does not match the description in the catalog, Hammer Auctions is here to help. Buyers may return the lot for a full refund provided they notify Hammer Auctions within 5 days of receiving the lot.