Ivorian Baule Mask - Ebony Face with Headdress bronze They are believed to embody

They are believed to embody the spirits they represent

The dark hue of the wood adds a sense of gravitas and mystique to the piece

The fabric is often made from locally sourced cotton

This 18th-century Senufo wooden bowl from Côte d'Ivoire exemplifies the exceptional craftsmanship and functional artistry of the Senufo people

The woman’s figure is elegantly carved

Ivorian Baule Mask - Ebony Face with Headdress bronze They are believed to embodyBaule Mask from Ivory Coast 20th Century The Baule people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Cote dIvoire (Ivory Coast). They belong to the Akan peoples who inhabited Ghana centuries ago. According to a legend, in the eighteenth century, the queen mother, Abla Pokou had to lead her people west to the shores of Comoe, the land of Senufo. To cross the river she sacrificed her son. This sacrifice originated the name Baule, for Baouli means the child