Old Tribally Used Guerre/We Mask – Bush Spirit – Côte d’Ivoire

A Guerre/We mask, Ivory Coast, of square shape, open-mouth, a stout nose underneath of which is a horizontal wooden spike, two tubular eyes, a square forehead, there are wooden spies all around the half bottom of the face, and black and orange painted fabric on the forehead and around the back of the extremities of the mask, punctured holes through out the rims of the mask in order to attach the costume; remnants of ritual patina, signs of use.

Cm. 31,5 high x cm. 25,0 width (12.40″ x 9.84″). On the stand the piece is cm 48,0 high (19.8″). Grams 1.234 (2.72 lb); grams 1.800 including the stand (3.97 lb).

This mask, which appears to represent a bush spirit, combines many diverse materials to create an image of power.

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