LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 June African & Oceanic Art Auction #645  / 

48086

Guro (Côte d'Ivoire)Hippoptamus Mask

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Ethnographic Start Price:2,250.00 USD Estimated At:9,000.00 - 11,000.00 USD
Guro (Côte d'Ivoire)Hippoptamus Mask
<B>Guro (Côte d'Ivoire)</B></I><BR>Hippoptamus Mask (<I>Bolu</B></I>)<BR>Wood, pigment<BR>Height: 7 inches Length: 23 inches Width: 7 inches<BR><BR>The typological identification of this mask is based on a similar published example (Eberhard Fischer and Lorenz Homberger. <I>Die Kunst der Guro, Elfenbeiküste.</B></I> Zürich: Museum Rietberg, 1985, p.119, cat.35). This is one of the group of animals that comprises the most powerful dance ensemble in the west and south of the Guro area, the Dye. “Dye is an ensemble of about a dozen dancers costumed in heavy raffia and colorful wooden masks, most of which depict animals including antelopes, buffaloes, elephants, hippopotami, hyenas, dogs, and monkeys, among others … The Guro believe that the mere sight of Dye can be lethal for women and uninitiated children” (Eberhard Fischer and Lorenz Homberger. <I>Masks in Guro Culture, Ivory Coast.</B></I> Zürich: Museum Rietberg, 1986, p.26). Both pairs of outer teeth have end insect loss and there is a wood split at the center back neck area. There is some age and use abrasion.<BR><BR>Provenance: Julius Carlebach, New York<BR>Pace Primitive<BR>Property of a US collector<BR><BR><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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