Lot: 99

95th Tribal Art Auction

Expressive face mask

Liberia / Côte d'Ivoire, Grebo / Kru

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
Knud Nielsen, Jelling, Denmark H: 14 inch 3000 EUR
plus 27 % commission, VAT, transport and insurance

wood, pigments,
The Grebo people settle in southern Liberia, on the shores of the Cavally River, which forms the border with Côte d'Ivoire. The Kru are their direct neighbours. Despite centuries of contact with the West, the masking traditions of both groups are insufficiently documented.

In any case, these fascinating masks offered a source of inspiration for many modern artists. Last but not least, it is said to have been a Grebo/ Kru mask that inspired Picasso to create his work "Guitar" in 1912 (today in the Museum for Modern Art, New York).