Origin: Baoulé people, Côte d’Ivoire, West AfricaMaterial: Carved wood with natural pigments (black, white, red)Date: Likely mid-20th century or earlier
Description:
A striking example of a Baoulé Goli Glin mask, featuring a large circular face crowned by tall, forward-curving buffalo horns carved with parallel ridges. The facial plane presents almond-shaped eyes with conical pupils and a rectangular mouth panel, accented with remnants of the traditional black, white, and red pigment palette.The reverse shows smooth burnishing and natural patina consistent with prolonged ceremonial use. Wear is visible on the rim, horn tips, and pigment surfaces, suggesting ritual performance rather than purely decorative production. The mask retains drilled holes along the perimeter for the attachment of a raffia or textile costume.
Cultural Context:
The Goli masquerade, central to Baoulé social and spiritual life, unfolds in a series of masks danced in sequence. The Goli Glin represents a powerful protective spirit, appearing later in the cycle to ward off malevolent forces and honor ancestors. The buffalo horns symbolize strength, virility, and authority, while the circular facial form recalls the sun’s life-giving force.

Condition:
Structurally sound with age-appropriate cracks, pigment loss, and surface abrasions. No modern repairs detected. The surface exhibits layered patina from handling, storage, and performance use, enhancing its ethnographic authenticity.