1 - A beautiful archaic Mblo mask, representative of a body of work distinguished by the elegance of its features, the harmony of its proportions, and the refinement of its hairstyles. These masks “are generally portraits of a specific, well-known individual (...) “Mblo” is the name of a category of performance that uses facial masks in solo and parodic dances: it describes a structured form of performance equivalent to a genre such as opera or film noir” (Vogel, The Baoulé Art of the Visible and the Invisible, pp. 141–144). This remarkable example, however, differs from the most classical representations in the originality of its composition and the presence of particularly unusual ornamental elements.

A beautiful archaic Mblo mask, representative of a body of work distinguished by the elegance of its features, the harmony of its proportions, and the refinement of its hairstyles. These masks “are generally portraits of a specific, well-known individual (...) “Mblo” is the name of a category of performance that uses facial masks in solo and parodic dances: it describes a structured form of performance equivalent to a genre such as opera or film noir” (Vogel, The Baoulé Art of the Visible and the Invisible, pp. 141–144). This remarkable example, however, differs from the most classical representations in the originality of its composition and the presence of particularly unusual ornamental elements. The face, strongly elongated, features half-closed eyes with finely chiseled eyelids beneath high brow ridges, a long nose characteristic of the beautiful ancient styles, and a small, circular mouth projecting forward, evoking breath and the importance of speech. Traditional scarifications are depicted on the temples and cheeks. The figure is crowned by an imposing headdress with a complex structure, organized around a tall, finely striated central crest, framed by rounded forms and a delicate network of sculpted braids. Even more distinctive is the presence of numerous upholstery nails, arranged on the forehead in an almost symmetrical composition that harmonizes particularly well with the braided balls on either side of the headdress, as well as a small circular medallion affixed at its center, whose decoration might evoke a coin of Islamic origin. These added elements, rarely found in Baoulé art in this form, lend the mask a particularly original character and may attest to the incorporation of materials derived from broader cultural and commercial exchanges. The sublime dark patina, with its reddish-brown hues, attests—with its condensed and highly expressive style—to the archaic nature of this mask, which constitutes an important rediscovery of the great ancient Baoulé arts. Baoulé, Ivory Coast Wood, nails, medallion, erosion and signs of age, slight traces of old burn marks; on the back, a clamp and an old label bearing handwritten numbers; old fastener on the back; very beautiful and aged patina from use. Height: 31 cm