Lot 66
West Africa, Ghana/Ivory Coast, one of the Akan speaking peoples, most likely Baule, ca. early 20th century CE. A large yet elegant hand-carved wooden ram mask, with impressively spiraled horns intended to signify strength and power, small triangular ears protruding just behind the eye holes, a long snout with carved nostrils at the end, an open mouth with a long tongue that sticks out ever so slightly, and perforations on the periphery for attaching adornments. Although the Baule are probably best known for their tranquil representations of the human face, their zoomorphic carved masks like this example boast just as much artistry. The ram masks are among the most favored of the Baule masks which were created to follow the Gbagba performers. Such horned masks represent wild animals that are hunted in the performance. Zoomorphic masks like this fabulous ram mask symbolize the bush spirits or some sources say an agricultural spirits. A stunning mask with quite a dramatic appearance! Size: 8" L x 7.75" W x 16.5" H (20.3 cm x 19.7 cm x 41.9 cm)
The Baule are members of the Akan peoples, who live in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. When the Asante rose to power during the 18th century, the Baule migrated westward from Ghana. The heroic story of how the Baule queen, Aura Poku, challenged the Asante king and led the Baule peoples to break away from the Asante has been passed down via oral traditions. According to Baule mythology, Aura Poku had to sacrifice her son to the river god in order to complete the exodus safely. Honoring this, it was deemed that the male descendant of Aura Poku would live in the original palace she established, and be honored by the Baule as their symbolic king.
Provenance: Ex Peter Arnovick Collection, Los Altos CA
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.
#112081
- Condition: Nice aged wood with stable fissures as shown and splotchy deposits on surface. Tip of one horn reattached.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
Discover, MasterCard, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |