African Art Unusual Ceremonial Mask ?Guro Cote d'Ivoire - eBay, African, Cultural, Religious, Collectables. (end time 20-Dec-09 20:57:40 AEDST)

African Art at Timbuctu to Tasmania

Visit my eBay store


Store Categories
Store home African Masks Helmet Masks & Headdress African Figurative Sculpture Zoomorphic Carvings African Utilitarian Objects African Dolls African Fetish Charms Ceremonial & Royal Court Art Curios and Handcraft

Old Worn Mask, attributed on purchase near Man as Dan from Cote d'Ivoire. It is unlike any other Dan mask that I have seen and appears to resemble more the Guro masks of the region. It was collected along with item No: 160100219317

It is an interesting mask with a weathered blackened patina, carved from hardwood with an old crack and wear marks on the back. It was collected in 2000, measures 30 x 15cm. and can be supplied with stand pictured. Shipping weight is 2kg (see pictures).

Guro Masks:
Used by the societies of the Guro and Baule of the Ivory Coast at their ceremonial dances these masks show delicacy and immense care for the smallest detail.
The black, or painted and polished human masks may be richly tattooed with different patterns according to the clan. The face is often framed by a zig-zag border. Various types of masks appear in ceremonies dramatising village life. Kpan, with its elaborate crested coiffure, represents the senior female in the “Dance of Rejoicing”

Dan sculptors mainly produce masks which deal with virtually every element in Dan society, including education, competition, war, peace, social regulation, and of course, entertainment.
Masquerades in which Dan masks appear often survive many generations and may be assigned new functions by subsequent owners. For example, at some time in its history, a fire prevention mask may have appeared in the Gunyege, or "foot-racer," masquerade, which had a purely entertainment function. In all cases, the identity of a Dan mask is determined not only by its facial features but also by the headdress and costume it wears, its musical accompaniment, and the way it behaves in the context of its appearance The dark colour of the masks is attained by insertion in mud baths. For the dance the masks are decked out with feathers, beads and bells and the dancers wear cloaks of cloth and raffia. Each has a name, is used at poro society rituals and represents the ancestors in the function of a teacher.
The innumerable wooden masks incarnate the supernatural, spiritual force called gle, who lives in the forest and wishes to participate in the life of the village. Yet, as it is invisible, it must appear in its full form and function in the dream of a male initiate, who will indicate this tothe council of elders. It is up to them to decide whether it is advisable to have a mast created and worn by the dreamer. The masks' presence is required at any significant event. Fischer (1978) counts eleven types of masks, which may have similar formal elements, even though they are meant for different functions.

For example, the deangle is a benevolent female mask, oval in shape, with slitted eyes, and covered with a white band of kaolin. The forehead is divided by a vertical strip that runs down to the nose; there are protruding tips, often half-open and showing a few metal teeth. When it plays the role of intermediary between the young people undergoing initiation and the village, it is called the bonagle; it neither dances nor sings, but comes to look for food from the women, with whom it jokes around.

Other masks appear only during celebrations, such as the bagle, with its tubular eyes, low forehead, mustache, and horned skull-a mask that is meant to make people laugh due to its grotesque pantomime. The hagle, with triangular holes for eyes, arched eyebrows, and high cheekbones, plays at attacking the public with sticks one must evade. The gunyegd, a masculine mask, is distinguished from the preceding one by its round holes for eyes; it rule over the footraces for young initiates. The weptirkirgle, with its protruding tubular eyes, is always asymmetrical, and regarded as deformed; one is forbidden to laugh at it, even though its gestures are funny. The blua gle's function is to escort and bless the warriors. He dances with a fiery spirit. Bearing someone on his shoulders, he demonstrates his strength. He is identifiable by his blua, a huge headdress of black feathers, and his fan, the maan, which he holds in his hands. There are also stone masks and the little so-called passport- masks, which are attached to the arm. The Dan have a unity of style that approaches uniformity.

Please email for quote for shipping discounts on multiple items.
International buyers please email for shipping quotation, methods and times before buying.
Unless otherwise requested international shipments go via Australia post - Air Parcel Post. http://www1.auspost.com.au/pac/int_parcel.asp
We carry an international shipping insurance policy which covers all of our international as well as domestic freight and post. Individual items with a value greater than AU$500 incur an excess of AU$350.00. Individual items with a value less than AU$500 are exempt from excess. http://www.xe.com/ucc/
We are not responsible for any transit damage however we do pack all goods in solid and secure packaging.
We are not responsible for any international tax or duty charges.
We will provide paperwork for Customs that accompanies each package.
Payment on all auctions must be received within 7 days.
All of our African art has been fumigated and passed Australian Customs and Quarantine inspection on arrival in Australia.
Please note: Our collection is also for sale from our retail galleries. It may be necessary to withdraw them from Auction at any time if sold.
This item is made by hand, may be old and used. Wear and imperfections are expected. It is described to the best of our ability and any damage will be visible in the images. If you are unsure of the item condition please email for further images or detail before bidding.

For images of some more items in our collection go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidewalk_tribal_galleries/sets/

When buying in Africa we use fair trade practice.
For more information about Sidewalk Tribal Galleries please check the following links:
Sidewalk Tribal Galleries African Art
How old are these artefacts?
Our ethics policy
(We do have a new web site under construction and it is taking a little time to launch. Our wonderful web designer is working into the nights to get it done. So thank you for your patience and may we suggest that you check again in a few weeks).

Please feel free to email me for further information: ann@sidewalkgallery.com.au

Check out my other items
Be sure to add me to your favourites list

Since its inception in 1989 Sidewalk Gallery has become a renowned Tribal Arts Gallery. Specialising in Antique & Traditional African Sculpture representing more than 85 separate cultures collected from 26 countries across Africa.

Ethnic jewellery and other items of adornment , both antique & contemporary, from every continent continues to astound all who enter the gallery.
The collection is spectacular.

Postage and handling

Item location: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Posting to: Worldwide

Change country:	Postcode:

Postage and handling	To	Service	Estimated delivery*
AU $20.00	Australia	Regular	3-8 business days after seller receives cleared payment

*The estimated delivery time is based on the seller's handling time, the shipping service selected, and when the seller receives cleared payment. Sellers are not responsible for postage service transit times. Transit times may vary, particularly during peak periods.

Domestic handling time	Postal insurance
Will usually post within 2 business days of receiving cleared payment.	Domestic: Not offered International: Included (in the postage and handling cost)

Return policy

Item must be returned within

Refund will be given as

Return policy details

7 days after the buyer receives it

Money Back

Any defective product must be notified within 3 days upon receipt of shipment for exchange.
Shipping fees are non-refundable for all returned items.
Returned goods must be packaged in original packaging and carton.
An authorisation number is required on all returned packages. Please email us for a return number.
Products accepted for return that have been damaged through misuse, and/or have been tampered with do not qualify for a refund/exchange.

Refunds by law: In Australia, consumers have a legal right to obtain a refund from a business for goods purchased (but not at auction) if the goods are faulty, not fit for purpose or don't match description. More information at returns.

Payment details

Payment method	Preferred/Accepted	Buyer protection on eBay
	PayPal Preferred
Visa/MasterCard	Accepted
Other - See seller's payment instructions	Accepted
Bank Deposit	Accepted	Not Available

Seller's payment instructions

For shipping purposes please supply a phone number after your successful bid. Please show item number on all transactions and any communication. Email for reduced shipping rate on multiple items purchased.