Mask of Entertainment - Gouro - Côte d'Ivoire

Ivory Coast Gouro Wood Height: 450mm Width: 160mm Depth: 140mm This polychrome wooden anthropomorphic mask from Ivory Coast, of the Gouro people (with stylistic influence shared with their Baoulé neighbors). It specifically fits into the category of “colon” or post-colonial art. 1. Stylistic Features and Description of the Object The aesthetics of this piece reveal a high mastery of figurative sculpture and a marked use of polychromy: The Principal Face: The anthropomorphic face is very refined, painted in ochre/orange tones. The almond-shaped eyes, stretched and topped with clearly black eyebrows, as well as the long straight nose evoke the region’s classical beauty standards. The lips are outlined in red and black, and the ears are sculpted very realistically on the sides. The Worked Hairstyle: The hair of the central figure is carved in bas-relief with black chevron geometric motifs, simulating elaborately pressed traditional braids. The Summit Figure (The Colonial Personage): This is the central and most original element of the mask. Directly perched at the top of the coiffure, on a small base carved with wave motifs, sits a vivid red anthropomorphic statuette. This figure sports a black hairstyle or bun, a beaded neck (a sign of beauty and prosperity) and wears clothing painted blue and white evoking a modern outfit (such as overalls or a jumpsuit). The Rear Hollowing: The rear view shows a raw and clean hollowing of the wood. The eye openings of the dancer are small discreet horizontal slits, and the mask’s border contains perforations to fix a costume made of fibers or fabric. 2. Origin and Evolution: “Colon” Art among the Gouro Among the Gouro and Baoulé, the introduction of figures dressed in Western fashion or painted with industrial pigments (the “colonists”) appeared during the 20th century. An adaptation of traditions: African art is not fixed. When sculptors faced new ways of life, the colonial administration, and then the dynamics of modernity, they naturally incorporated these images into their ritual and secular creations. The Color Choices: The use of vivid and contrasting paints (red, blue, white) is typical of pieces intended to be seen from afar during festive performances. 3. Use and Social Function: Modern Popular Dances This mask is associated with popular and secular entertainment dances in Ivory Coast, such as modern variants of Zaouli, Flali, or Goly. The Popular Theater: During village celebrations, these masks intervene to tell contemporary stories. The summit figure can represent a typical character of modern society (a civil servant, an urban worker, a stylish woman). The dancer uses the mask to mime, caricature, or pay homage to these everyday-life figures. Performance and Prestige: The costume attached to the mask entirely conceals the dancer’s body. Accompanied by a percussion ensemble, the wearer performs extremely fast and technical dance steps. The tall statuette atop the mask also poses a technical challenge for the dancer, who must show perfect agility to stabilize the piece during performance. In short This Gouro mask with a modern summit figure is an excellent example of the vitality of Ivory Coast art. It harmoniously merges the pure plasticity of traditional faces with the narrative creativity of contemporary art, making this piece a living spectacle object and a social chronicle. Packages are shipped Monday through Saturday with insurance and tracking number. Delivery in France in 1 to 3 days with Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union. Delivery in the rest of Europe and worldwide with Colissimo international. We speak english Mask African art African mask art arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane statue african art African statue art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane African mask art Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano

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