H x W x D: 43.2 x 17.1 x 8.9 cm (17 x 6 3/4 x 3 1/2 in.)
Type:
Mask
Geography:
Côte d'Ivoire
Date:
Mid 20th century
Label Text:
The Baule adoped the goli masquerade from the neighboring Wan peoples within the last 100 years. Largely an entertainment mask, it can also be danced for the funerals of important men. A day long festival, goli features four pairs of masks that appear in a junior male and female and senior male and female hierarchy. However, each pair of masks is also defined as having both male and female aspects; the gender is identified by the order of appearance in the dance and the color the mask is painted (although the color- gender link is not consistent from one village to the next).
This mask, one of the junior male mask pairs, takes the form of a disk shaped face mask surmounted by antelope horns. It is the most stylized Baule mask and clearly shows its Wan origins.
Description:
Wood mask, flat disk shaped face with circular horns, cylindrical eyes, black with white details. Oval flange with bite stick.
Provenance:
Eliot Elisofon, New York, -- to 1973
Content Statement:
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests:
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
