Lot: 284

80th Tribal Art Auction

Mask "kyäsä"

Côte d'Ivoire, Guro

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
H: 24 inch This object is not available anymore.

wood, blackish brown patina, slightly sticky, raised vertical forehead ridge and "gash" on the left cheek, area above the forehead and columnar three-parted superstructure covered by drilled holes (for feather ornament), slightly dam. (nose tip), fine cracks, abrasion of paint (mouth), rep. (chin, drilled holes around the rim backside);
"kyäsä" is the most important mask type of the "dye" mask ensemble, a large group of human- and animal-faced masks wearing abundant raphia costumes. "Kyäsä" represents a strong man, a kind of war leader. Carrying a mighty tuft of feathers "fäkyä" on his head, a wooden knife in his hand and animal skin at his back, characteristic feature is a large gash on his cheek.


Fischer, Eberhard & Lorenz Homberger, Die Kunst der Guro, Elfenbeinküste, Zürich 1985, p. 102 ff.