88 - Mblo portrait mask, with a headdress topped by a bowl, Baoulé ethnic group, Ivory Coast.

Mblo portrait mask, with a headdress topped by a bowl, Baoulé ethnic group, Ivory Coast. Carved from wood, it depicts a female face with delicately modeled features, half-closed eyes, a slender nose, and a small, protruding mouth. The elaborate hairstyle is topped by a carved cup, giving the mask an original silhouette. Remarkable antique brown-gray patina, deeply nuanced, showing significant wear and polished areas on the face. An old traditional repair involving binding on one side. The interior is hollowed out, retaining a thick, transverse fibrous element, likely intended to secure the mask to the dancer’s mouth. Base included. Height: 32 cm