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Portrait Mask
unidentified Ivorian
Ivorian
----
undated
Small Baule face masks such as this one (and its female counterpart, not exhibited) are worn in Goli dances which the Baule borrowed from their Mandé speaking neighbors the Wan. These are entertainment dances to celebrate harvests, and the visits of dignitaries to the village. The dancers may also appear at the funerals of male elders to honor the deceased. Although new characters, steps, and music are occasionally introduced these performances adhere to a common pattern. "Masks representing domestic and hunted animals, known individuals, and such general types as `the slave,'`the prostitute,'`the dandy,'`sun,' and `rainbow' appear one at a time in a series of skits that mime village life." The masks appear one after the other in order of increasing importance, beginning with masks that represents animals. Masks are stored in the village and worn with cloth costumes over raffia skirts. A ram-skin cape is attached to the rear of the mask and covers the performer's back. ¶ This very naturalistic mask, with its carefully plaited beard and elaborate hairstyle, was intended to be a portrait of a character in the village, who would appear with the mask and dance alongside it. Male and female pairs of portrait masks may be colored red and black, and although neither sex is associated consistently with a particular color , red is considered the more beautiful skin color and is associated with purity and competence (Vogel 1977:124-51; 1981:75-7). -- Professor Christopher Roy, School of Art and Art History, University of Iowa
Guinea Coast Africa Côte d'Ivoire
Baule
Height: 9 3/8 inches Width: 4 7/8 inches
Wood, Pigment, Hair
The Stanley Collection
University of Iowa. Stanley Museum of Art
X1986_432
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wood (plant material) pigment human hair
183425165
Face mask
Death
Entertainment