{"product_id":"african-carved-hardwood-mask-baoule-style-single-horn-cote-d-ivoire-mid-20th-century-32-cm-2c97","title":"African Carved Hardwood Mask, Baoulé Style, Single Horn, Côte d’Ivoire, Mid-20th Century — 32 cm — 2C97","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe finest carving in the series — a deeply accomplished African face mask in rich dark tropical hardwood, warm mahogany-brown, densely grained, polished to a deep lustrous finish. At \u003cstrong\u003e32 × 7 × 5 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e, this is a fully three-dimensional sculptural work of considerable presence, produced in Côte d’Ivoire by a carver of exceptional skill working within the \u003cstrong\u003eBaoulé aesthetic tradition\u003c\/strong\u003e — one of the most formally refined and internationally celebrated of all West African carving traditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe face is the finest carving in the series. High, prominent cheekbones modeled in full three-dimensional relief; deeply carved, heavy-lidded eyes of real sculptural weight and repose; a strong, well-defined nose with clearly modeled nostrils; full, sensuous lips slightly parted in serene authority. Below the lower lip, a small \u003cstrong\u003echin labret or beard form\u003c\/strong\u003e is carved — a specific cultural detail associated in the Baoulé tradition with male status, age, and spiritual authority.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe scarification program is the most culturally specific of the series. A \u003cstrong\u003ediamond crosshatch band\u003c\/strong\u003e covers the forehead — deeply incised, perfectly regular. On each cheek, \u003cstrong\u003elong, flowing diagonal parallel lines\u003c\/strong\u003e descend from the cheekbone toward the jaw, following the natural curve of the face — a scarification pattern directly associated with the Baoulé people of Côte d’Ivoire, a recognized cultural and aesthetic marker of the tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe crest is a single tall, elegantly tapering horn — smooth, undecorated, rising to a fine point with quiet authority. At its base, a collar of horizontal parallel grooves creates a formal, almost classical transition between skull and horn. The back of the crown continues the diamond crosshatch pattern across the full three-dimensional surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe neck and body carry a complete decorative program: horizontal groove neck collar, diamond crosshatch chest and shoulders, diagonal slash sides — a layered sequence of geometric ornament that covers the entire piece from horn tip to base, confirming the carver’s ambition to treat this as a complete sculptural object.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe wood — most likely \u003cstrong\u003eAfrican mahogany (Khaya)\u003c\/strong\u003e or a related dense tropical species — is significantly above the previous pieces in density, color, and grain quality, and contributes materially to the overall presence and value of the object. Carving crisp and intact throughout; wood sound. Screw-eye hanging loop on reverse — ready to display.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Decorative carved wood mask \/ quality African collectible art\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e West African — Baoulé tradition, Côte d’Ivoire; single horn crest\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAge:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mid-to-late 20th century — circa 1960s–1980s\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich dark tropical hardwood — African mahogany (Khaya) or similar; hand-polished natural finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 32 × 7 × 5 cm \/ 12.6 × 2.8 × 2.0 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDisplay:\u003c\/strong\u003e Screw-eye hanging loop — ready to hang\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDesign:\u003c\/strong\u003e Single tapering horn with horizontal groove collar; diamond crosshatch forehead; flowing diagonal Baoulé cheek scarification; chin labret detail; diamond crosshatch crown back; horizontal groove neck; diamond crosshatch chest; diagonal slash sides\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good — carving crisp and intact; polish deep and even; wood sound\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCollectibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e Highest quality in series — approaches boundary between decorative export art and ethnographic object\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSKU:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2C97\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"One Royal Art","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54233174311258,"sku":"2C97","price":19600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0636\/9656\/8577\/files\/2C97_1.jpg?v=1780568226","url":"https:\/\/www.oneroyalart.com\/de-europe\/products\/african-carved-hardwood-mask-baoule-style-single-horn-cote-d-ivoire-mid-20th-century-32-cm-2c97","provider":"One Royal Art","version":"1.0","type":"link"}