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Yaure mask

Late 19th – Early 20th Century
Height: 34 cm
Wood

Yaure mask, Ivory Coast

The best-known masks of the Yaure, a small ethnic group inhabiting the central region of Ivory Coast, represent human faces supplemented by animal attributes.

There are evident stylistic influences from neighboring tribes. In the present example, the slightly open mouth with rows of teeth and the narrow nose recall the gu masks of the neighboring Guro.

Provenance

Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Arcade Gallery of London
Collection of Mark Isaacson and Greg Nacozy