Lot 45
  • 45

Très beau masque, Bété / Guro, Côte d'Ivoire

Estimate
50,000 - 80,000 EUR
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

  • Très beau masque, Bété / Guro
  • wood
  • haut. 36 cm
  • 14 in

Provenance

Collection André Lhote, Paris
Ancienne collection de Monsieur Grimar, Belgique, qui l'acquit de l'artiste

Literature

Exposé et reproduit dans:
Fundacion "La Caixa", Africa, La figura imaginada, 2004 : 95, n° 41, catalogue de l'exposition, Palma, Tarragona, Valencia, Zaragoza, juin 2004 - avril 2005

Condition

Good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

La force des traits serrés, conjuguée à la courbe tendue dictée par l'étirement du front bombé, font de ce masque l'un des plus remarquables exemples de la confluence des styles Bété et Guro.

Des canons de la beauté en pays Guro, ce masque emprunte le visage relativement étroit dont le profil dessine une longue ligne sinueuse, s'étirant en courbes et contre-courbes jusqu'au plan des lèvres tendues, le menton fuyant. Il se distingue du corpus classique des masques Guro non seulement par sa taille imposante - rare - mais surtout par la puissance de ses traits.

De la région d'influence Bété / Guro, située au sud de la route conduisant de Bouaflé à Daloa, provient la rare statuaire Bété. L'importance accordée à l'ornementation corporelle - ici dans les scarifications soulignant les paupières et les motifs en chevrons s'étirant sur les tempes - et la rigueur sculpturale des traits, apparentent sans aucun doute ce masque ancien (surface sombre et brillante dont les écailles révèlent la profondeur de la patine) à la tradition sculpturale des artistes Bété.

A very fine Bete or Guro mask, Ivory Coast

The power of the taut features and the tense curve which stretches the length of the convex face makes this one of the most remarkable examples of the confluence of the Bete and Guro styles.

From the Guro's concepts of beauty this mask adopts its narrow face, its profile forming a long and sinuous line, which stretches in curves and counter-curves until it reaches the lips and the receding chin. It is distinguished from the tradition of Guro masks both by its rare and imposing size and by its powerful features.

The rare statuary of the Bete comes from a region of Bete/Guro influence situated to the south of the road between Bouaflé and Daloa. The importance attached to bodily decoration (seen here in the scarifications which underline the pupils and in the chevron motifs which cover the temples), and the sculptural rigour of the features suggest that this mask must be connected with the sculptural traditions of Bete artists.