COLLECTION MONSIEUR X. - Lot 131

COLLECTION MONSIEUR X. Bété mask Ivory Coast Wood, brass nails H. 45 cm Provenance : André Schoeller, Paris, 2002 Collection Monsieur X. A superb, powerful and expressive Bété or Niabwa mask displaying all the classic characteristics of the style: a large, toothed mouth, a protruding nose, tubular eyes, a broad, overhanging forehead and four inward-facing horns, the symbolism of which has never been fully elucidated. Our example also features - and this is quite rare - a large pair of crescent-shaped horns taking root at the top of the skull, giving the mask a particularly graphic line. Old brass nails and remnants of pigments dot the face. Very fine old patina. Sold without base.