Guro Portrait Mask with Bird on Custom Stand Côte d'Ivoire

Description: Guro Portrait Mask with Bird on Custom Stand Côte d'Ivoire Brand Unbranded Type of Object Mask Country of Origin Côte d'Ivoire People Yaure/Guro Materials Wood, pigment Approximate Age 20th century Height (in) 13 Width (in) 8 Depth (in) 6 Other Dimensions 17 inches on stand. Overall Condition Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners. Damage/Repair Arrested bug damage, surface wear. The Guro of the Ivory-Coast (Cote D'Ivoire) are related to the Baule, and there is a resemblance in their masks. The daily life of the Guro is dominated by secret societies called "zuzu". The Guro Yaure Portrait Mask is a stunning piece of African art that is widely recognized for its intricate details and realistic depiction of human features. The mask originates from the Ivory-Coast, specifically from the Guro tribe, which is known for its skilled artisans who create exceptional works of art. With a population of 200,000 the Guro live west of the Baule on the Côte d’Ivoire, in a heterogeneous area of free-filled savannas and dense tropical forest. Originally they were called Kweni, but they were violently colonized between 1906 and 1912 and were given the Baule name Guro by the invading French colonials. The Guro farm predominantly cotton, rice, coffee and cocoa – the men clear the field and the women plant. Guro masks are elegant, usually long with pointed chins, and generally the most colorful of African masks. Sometimes there are burn marks on them. They are often repainted, so layers of paint are not uncommon. Such masks were danced in various ceremonies. The daily life of the Guro is dominated by secret societies and by a belief in protective spirits, to whom the Guro uséd to build shrines and create figures. The most significant in this respect is the Je society, which is responsible for social, political, and juridical questions, decisions of peace and war, policing tasks, and the detection of destructive forces, as well as appearing at funerals of its members. This male society uses a variety of anthropomorphic and zoomorphic masks, some fitted with staff-like superstructures, all ostensibly fatal for women to view. Village life is regulated by a council of elders, representing each main family, and by secret societies. They belong to the category of Je masks and are the first to appear to warm up the audience prior to the appearance of the anthropomorphic masks, considered to be the most important during the performance. The Guro Yaure Portrait Mask is not only visually stunning, but it also holds significant cultural and spiritual meaning for the Guro people. It is a testament to the skill and artistry of the Guro tribe's craftsmen and serves as a symbol of their rich cultural heritage. Today, the mask is highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts from all over the world, further cementing its status as a masterpiece of African art. **134182** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2023 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on eBay since 1997 and has received more than 56,000 positive feedbacks. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with their multi-racial family. They have been honored with eBay's Hall of Fame award, and by eBay Giving Works, through which they have raised more than $125,000 in charity auctions. Customer Service: We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care! Handling Time: We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out the same day, and all go out within 48 hours. Returns: We want you to be happy with your purchase. You're welcome to return an item within 30 days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you're returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we'll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we'll refund the credit card. Combining Shipping: You are welcome to wait to pay, and to combine multiple items for shipping. We ask that you keep each order to 10 days or 10 items, whichever comes first--then start another order. When you're ready, just send us a list of item numbers or an invoice request and we'll send you an invoice. You can pay by Paypal or credit card. 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Price: 240 USD

Location: Denver, CO

End Time: 2024-08-26T19:36:24.000Z

Shipping Cost: 20.98 USD