Warrior Mask / Power Mask - Grebo - Côte d'Ivoire

Ivory Coast Grebo Wood Height: 365mm Width: 160mm Depth: 120mm This magnificent wooden mask with a height of 36.5 cm is an emblematic piece of the Grebo (or Kru) ethnicity, a people settled in the southwestern border region of Ivory Coast and Liberia. This cubist and abstract art style profoundly influenced Western artists in the early 20th century. It is precisely a Grebo mask very similar to one acquired by Pablo Picasso in 1912, which inspired his famous sheet metal sculpture “Guitar,” thus revolutionizing Cubism with the concept of protruding cylindrical eyes. Here is the detailed analysis of its origin, structure, and ritual uses. 1. Stylistic and Aesthetic Characteristics Grebo art radically departs from realism in favor of a rigorous geometric construction and a striking economy of means. Face Flatness: The front face is structured around a large oval, elongated flat panel. Tubular Eyes: This is the most spectacular feature of Grebo style. The eyes are represented by two strong cylinders projecting outward, with circular ends painted white (kaolin). This projection gives the mask a fixed, hypnotic, and menacing gaze. Nose and Mouth: A long, straight, angular nose in the shape of an inverted arrow separates the two eyes. It connects to a rectangular relief mouth, carved with geometric chevron motifs or cross-incisions evoking threatening teeth. The Hair or Upper Headdress: The top of the mask is crowned by a large protrusion in the shape of a spatula or inverted fan, tinted with a dark patina, extending the piece’s verticality. Traditional Polychromy: The front face uses the region’s three major ritual colors: a yellow/ochre forehead, a broad brick-red central band framing the eyes (pierced by small viewing holes for the dancer), and a kaolin-white chin showing natural erosion traces. The Back and Mounting: The reverse of the object reveals a deeply hollowed inner face, tinted dark brown, as well as circular perforations along the lower edge intended for sewing a costume from plant fibers or fabrics. 2. Functional Use and Ritual Significance Among the Grebo, society is traditionally structured into age classes and warrior societies. Masks do not represent human ancestors, but forest spirits (spiritons) invisible and ambivalent. A. The Spirit of War and Justice These masks, with a fierce and geometric appearance, were mainly worn by initiates during war-related ceremonies. They served to galvanize fighters, frighten enemies, or welcome warriors returning from battle. They also intervened during important councils and judgments. The appearance of the mask could solidify the authority of elders, enforce customary laws, and render undeniable justice under the protection of the spirits. B. Festive Celebrations and Agricultural Rites Outside periods of conflict, the mask could come out for major communal entertainment, during the enthronement of a chief, or during agricultural rites to solicit fertility of the land and protection of crops. During ceremonial outings, the dancer was fully concealed under a heavy fiber costume. His movements were jerky and unpredictable, mimicking the wild power of nature and the all-seeing spirit, symbolized by the tubular eyes capable of “seeing beyond” the visible world. In short This 36.5 cm Grebo mask is a superb testament to African plastic inventiveness. Combining warrior strength and geometric abstraction, it remains a centerpiece for understanding the evolution of Côte d'Ivoire’s maritime rituals and its major historical impact on Western modern art. Packages are shipped Monday through Saturday with insurance and a tracking number. Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days throughout the European Union. Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo International. We speak English Mask African art • African mask art • arte de máscaras africanas • arte delle maschere africane • Afrikanische Maskenkunst Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano

Estimación:€150

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