West Africa, Ivory Coast, Guro culture, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A finely carved and painted wooden mask of the mythical figure Zamble, with an elegant anthropomorphic/zoomorphic visage presenting characteristically elongated features (forehead, chin, and nose), round red eyes with central black lids that are slit at the middle, three ovoid relief marks adorning the forehead, and a smiling mouth that reveals sharp jagged teeth, all surmounted by red and black antelope horns adorned with striated and triangular motifs. The entire visage is surrounded by a recessed decorative border comprised of a red and black zigzag motif. Size: 7.25" W x 13.625" H (18.4 cm x 34.6 cm)
See a Zamble mask at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (accession number 1979.206.105). According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, "In Guro culture, distinctions are made between masquerades that are the focus of cults and those that are more secular in nature. A sequence of three sacred masks centers around Zamble, a mythical male being whose form fuses antelope and leopard features. He is in turn complemented by his beautiful wife, Gu, and his wild, grotesque brother, Zuali. Such representations are owned by certain families that use them as the loci of sacrificial offerings proposed by diviners to improve their well-being. In contrast, other Guro mask forms, which serve only as sources of entertainment, are designed by individual performers."
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, acquired in 1987 from the Paris, France art market
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#156704
Condition
Repair to right horn, with small chips and light adhesive residue along break lines. Nicks and light abrasions to face, horns, peripheries, and verso, with fading to areas of pigment, and light encrustations. Nice remains of pigment on obverse and smooth patina along verso.