51 cm Antique Wooden Baule Mask with Double Bird | Exclusive Wall Art | Ivory Coast
Rated 5.0 out of 5.€265,00
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Examined with microscope & UV light
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Authentic Antique Baule Mask with Double Bird Headdress – 51 cm – Verified Ritual Use – Ivory Coast – ca. 1950
Specifications: H 51 × W 21 cm | Hand-carved Hardwood | Polychrome Pigments | Verified Biological Wear Patina | Original Wooden Bite Block
We proudly present an exceptionally aesthetic, characterful, and forensically verified masterpiece within the African Tribal Art section: an authentic antique hand-carved wooden Baule (Baoulé) mask featuring a monumental double bird headdress from Ivory Coast (West Africa). With an impressive height of 51 cm, this sculpture represents a substantial and high-quality eye-catcher from the mid-20th century (approx. 1940-1960). The object is in a fabulously beautiful, unrestored, and fully verified state of active use history.
Refined Baule Iconography & Polychromy
This mask stands out for its stylized facial features and brings a powerful, mystical atmosphere as exclusive wall art to any modern or high-end interior:
- Symmetrical Bird Crown: The top of the egg-shaped face is crowned with two masterfully carved birds with long, curved beaks facing each other. The outer edge of the mask features a stepped zigzag and diamond border all around, washed in with contrasting red and white-cream natural pigments.
- Serene Facial Features: The almond-shaped eyes are serenely closed like fine slits, embedded in large, light eye sockets. Between the eyebrows is a refined, incised ritual scar tattoo (scarification), characteristic of the Baule beauty ideals.
Forensic Evidence of Active Ceremonial Use
The back of the carved wooden bowl provides unfalsifiable, laboratory-worthy evidence of actual tribal use during dance ceremonies, completely free of modern export or tourist clutter:
- Intense Biological Wear Patina: The inner edges along the forehead, the The cheeks and chin display a deep, oily, and mirror-smooth polished shine. This is the direct result of prolonged human skin contact, where sweat and skin oils have been rubbed into the wood grain over generations.
- Original Mounting Features: Along the top edge are the hand-drilled bondage holes for the textile or fibrous ceremonial costume. In the center is the original, excellent wooden bite block, designed for the dancer's grip during intense ceremonies.
Product details
| Representation: | Baule Goli / Kpan Mask (Wall Art / Wall Sculpture) |
| Material: | Hand-carved hardwood with natural polychrome pigments and heavy organic gloss |
| Origin / Culture: | Ivory Coast (West Africa) / Baule tribe |
| Dating: | Mid 20th Century (ca. 1950) – Guaranteed antique ethnographic masterpiece |
| Dimensions: | H 51 × W 21 cm |
| Condition: | Exceptional, unrestored tribal condition. Beautiful authentic pigment residue on the front and a heavy, organic sheen on the inside, retaining the sharp adze edges. 100% honest and nonsense-free. |
Each object is examined before it is offered: material, casting or carving technique, surface, and signs of age are compared with documented references. You will receive a certificate of authenticity and an official invoice detailing the period, material, and available provenance.
Fully insured worldwide shipping in museum-quality packaging. Returns are sent to our Dutch address and you have a 14-day cooling-off period.
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Pay securely at checkout with credit card, Klarna, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. The certificate of authenticity and the invoice are included in the price.
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How we investigated this image
For more than 30 years, we have been researching Asian art. Each object is inspected in advance with a microscope and UV light. Findings regarding material, style, and iconography form the basis for our assessment of dating, condition, and quality — and for the price.
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