Old Baule Ceremonial Mask — Ivory Coast - African tribal art

Origin: Ivory Coast — Baule peoples
Height: 30 cm
Material: Carved wood, two-tone patina (lighter cap, darker face)
Condition: Visible age crack running through the conical cap and faintly into the forehead (see photo) — stable overall, no active structural risk observed; general age-consistent surface wear throughout

This piece:
A Baule mask combining a tall, smooth conical cap in lighter natural wood tone with a darker oval face below. The face features heavy-lidded, half-closed eyes beneath gently arched brows converging at the nose bridge, giving the mask a calm, inward expression characteristic of Baule facial carving conventions. Small block-shaped ears project from either side of the head, and fine notched linear marks appear at the cheeks and chin, likely referencing scarification patterns. The mouth is carved as a small open rectangular notch. The two-tone patina — warm and light on the cap, deeper and darker across the face — adds visual contrast and is consistent with genuine age and differential handling.

Condition note: A visible crack runs vertically through the conical cap, extending faintly into the upper forehead area (see photo). This is disclosed for transparency; the mask remains structurally stable as photographed.