Wé mask, " singer mask ", Ble gla, Ivory Coast Wood,... Lot 39

Wé mask, " singer mask ", Ble gla, Ivory Coast Wood, horn, fibre, red and beige fabrics, metal bells and bells, white pigment. H. 33 cm - W. 23 cm Wé mask, " singer mask ", Ble gla, Ivory Coast H. 13 in Provenance: - European private collection The group Wé, established on both sides of the Cavally River in Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire, was once known to collectors as the Guéré population in the southern region of Côte d'Ivoire, which has long been perceived by other inhabitants of the country as an inhospitable region. The Ble gla mask itself, is quite ovalized, the forehead, shared by a very raised scarification, narrowed upwards, the eyebrows are marked above lenticular eyes, partially surrounded by kaolin, as in their neighbours the Dan, the nose and mouth are very pronounced as is customary in this style. The mask is encircled by a very beautiful headdress with a horn, pieces of red cloth (souvenirs of military occupants?) as well as numerous braids, and a very impressive beard made of metal bells and bells intended to call the protective geniuses, hence its nickname "singing mask".