The 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 32 × 7 × 5 cm, 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 Baoulé aesthetic tradition — one of the most formally refined and internationally celebrated of all West African carving traditions.
The 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 chin labret or beard form is carved — a specific cultural detail associated in the Baoulé tradition with male status, age, and spiritual authority.
The scarification program is the most culturally specific of the series. A diamond crosshatch band covers the forehead — deeply incised, perfectly regular. On each cheek, long, flowing diagonal parallel lines 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.
The 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.
The 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.
The wood — most likely African mahogany (Khaya) 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.
Key Details
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Type: Decorative carved wood mask / quality African collectible art
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Style: West African — Baoulé tradition, Côte d’Ivoire; single horn crest
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Origin: Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa)
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Age: Mid-to-late 20th century — circa 1960s–1980s
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Material: Rich dark tropical hardwood — African mahogany (Khaya) or similar; hand-polished natural finish
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Dimensions: 32 × 7 × 5 cm / 12.6 × 2.8 × 2.0 in
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Display: Screw-eye hanging loop — ready to hang
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Design: 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
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Condition: Good — carving crisp and intact; polish deep and even; wood sound
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Collectibility: Highest quality in series — approaches boundary between decorative export art and ethnographic object
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SKU: 2C97
