Bete Carved Wood Ngre Mask with Horns and Metal Tacks

West Africa, Cote d'Ivoire, Bete culture. A carved wood n’gre mask of the type made by the Bété, a face mask form associated with peacemaking after conflict, the settling of disputes, and the purification of a village. The domed forehead sits above a projecting horizontal brow band, and the recessed face below is divided by a central nasal ridge with small pierced eye openings to either side. The ridge descends into a pair of upturned tusk-like projections that curve across the cheeks above a squared tubular mouth. Round-headed brass and iron tacks line the forehead and tusks, and an iron nail is set at the crown for suspension. The hollowed reverse is pierced around the rim for attachment. Item # 202947

Estimate:$350

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