Large Zoomorphic Mask

Origin: Kru/Grebo Tribe, Ivory Coast
Composition: wood (one piece), nails, ritual accumulation

Despite centuries of contact with the West, the masking traditions of the Kru and Grebo are insufficiently documented, and hence their purpose remains somewhat of a mystery. The multiple sets of tubular eyes are thought to represent the clairvoyance of the ancestors, and the masks were apparently used for both entertainment and in ritual ceremonies. When not in use, the masks were coated with magical substances and placed in front of a village chief’s house, to offer protection.

This piece is one of the more prominent and outstanding of its kind. It has a presence that one can only feel; the sense of authority and power it is intended to convey. The piece shows evidence of erosion and the effects of time and use. A fine, museum-quality collector’s piece.