Guro "Union" Mask

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African mask: Between the Baule and Yaure tribes to the west, the Malinke to the north and the Bete-We to the south, the Guro people live surrounded by forest and Savannah in the Ivory Coast. Originally the Guro were known as the Kweni until they were violently colonized from 1906 to 1912 and were given the Baule name Guro by the invading French colonials. Guro daily life was dominated by secret societies and by the belief in protective bush spirits called zuzu. The Guro have a very pronounce masking art style in which they portray an animal linkage to most of their polychrome facial coverings. Their well known masks generally are carved from light wood and fashioned with elongated faces with slit eyes. The subject matter varies greatly as does the animal parts which can surmount, surround and or lie beneath the central semi-human face.

The mask presented here is an exceptional piece! It is a visual tribute to the Guro philosophy of life regarding their relationship with the spirit world. Three large birds are perched atop curling ram horns that are parted by two detailed crocodiles that surmount a pair of antelope horns that are attached to a fish like semi human face. Guro human figures are disperse throuughout the mask symbolizing the union and support sysyem that exists between the Guro and nature and the zuzu. This is a very well carved, intricate Guro mask that has a stunning effect when hung on a wall.

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Dimensions: 30 inches long x 14 inches from widest point x 11 inches deep.

Wt: 5 lbs.