Guéré (wé) Ritual Mask – Ivory Coast / Liberia
Spectacular mask with an expressive face, surrounded by a beard of wood and fibers, topped with a textile headdress decorated with cowrie shells. It comes from the Guéré people (Wé group), settled in the west of Ivory Coast and the south-east of Liberia.
These masks were used in powerful ritual contexts: customary justice, village protection, initiation ceremonies. The mixture of materials (wood, textile, shells, pigments) reinforces their visual and symbolic power, and links them to feared and respected bush spirits.
Each element has a specific function: to impress, to mask the identity of the wearer and to embody invisible forces.
These masks were used in powerful ritual contexts: customary justice, village protection, initiation ceremonies. The mixture of materials (wood, textile, shells, pigments) reinforces their visual and symbolic power, and links them to feared and respected bush spirits.
Each element has a specific function: to impress, to mask the identity of the wearer and to embody invisible forces.
1 850 €
Period: 20th century
Style: Tribal Art
Condition: Good condition
Width: 21 cm
Height: 34 cm
Reference (ID): 1580231
Availability: In stock
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