251126 - Antique extremely Rare African Bete mask - Iv. Coast.

Antique & extremely Rare Bete mask from Iv Coast.

Height; 31 cm.

Hand carved from a single piece of wood and beard.

This Bete mask dates from the first half of the 20th century and comes with an certificate of authenticity.

The Bete are a farming people living in southwestern Ivory Coast, between the Bandama and Sassandra rivers. Only the western Bete region exhibits a mask tradition inspired by We models, used by the Gla community and passed down through their Nyabwa neighbors. This origin is confirmed by the use of the Nyabwa language during mask dances, as well as by the involvement of the Nyabwa, who teach their role to the wearers of Bete masks. The masks are used in funeral rites, during mourning ceremonies, or in honor of an important figure. On these occasions, the masks—or one of their companions—sometimes carry a spear, perhaps recalling the original function of the war masks.

Comes from the Belgian private collection of Maurice C.P. Verstuyf (°Etterbeek 1949) graduated in the Plastic Arts department of graphics at the Higher Sint Lukas Institute in Schaarbeek (Brussels) in 1971.

Maurice C.P. Verstuyf aka Stef Verstuyf was art director and creative director in several international advertising agencies until 2014 and started his collection of tribal art in the early 1970s.

This collection consists of masks and statues (no weapons) mainly from CONGO (RDC) and also from GABON, ANGOLA, IVORY COAST, GHANA, TOGO, LIBERIA, CAMEROON and NIGERIA.