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<p>[QUOTE="2manybooks, post: 4297362, member: 8267"]Masks such as this are commissioned as idealized portraits of particular individuals, and embody Baule standards of beauty. In Susan Vogel's book, <i>Baule: African Art Western Eyes</i>, she states that "Through most of the twentieth century these highly varied masks have been made in greater numbers than any other kind of Baule mask." They are worn during entertainment dance performances known as Mblo, and so can be referred to as Mblo masks. They do not have any specific religious or symbolic significance.</p><p><br /></p><p>In performance, the mask is combined with a full costume of draped textiles that cover the dancer. The costume is attached to the rim around the mask, using the holes drilled there.</p><p><br /></p><p>Without knowing the history of your particular mask, it is difficult to say if it was used in Mblo performances, or if it is a very nice version made for sale. The presence of the drilled rim, and the damage visible on the rim, might indicate it was used. Differences in the prices for Mblo masks could be based on several factors, including whether a mask has a documented provenance, and the quality/attractiveness of the carving.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="2manybooks, post: 4297362, member: 8267"]Masks such as this are commissioned as idealized portraits of particular individuals, and embody Baule standards of beauty. In Susan Vogel's book, [I]Baule: African Art Western Eyes[/I], she states that "Through most of the twentieth century these highly varied masks have been made in greater numbers than any other kind of Baule mask." They are worn during entertainment dance performances known as Mblo, and so can be referred to as Mblo masks. They do not have any specific religious or symbolic significance. In performance, the mask is combined with a full costume of draped textiles that cover the dancer. The costume is attached to the rim around the mask, using the holes drilled there. Without knowing the history of your particular mask, it is difficult to say if it was used in Mblo performances, or if it is a very nice version made for sale. The presence of the drilled rim, and the damage visible on the rim, might indicate it was used. Differences in the prices for Mblo masks could be based on several factors, including whether a mask has a documented provenance, and the quality/attractiveness of the carving.[/QUOTE]
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