Mask "kyäsä"
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80th Tribal Art AuctionMask "kyäsä"
Côte d'Ivoire, Guro
Provenance | Size | Starting price / estimated price |
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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.