Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask
Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask
Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask
Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask
Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask
Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask
Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask
Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask
Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask
Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask
Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask
Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask
Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask
Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask
Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask
Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask
Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask
Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask
Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask
Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask

Guro Wood Polychrome Painted Zamble (Zamblé) Mask

17475

$2,000.00
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 from Côte d’Ivoire, Ivory Coast Mid-20th Century

 A boldly carved and vividly polychromed Guro wood mask depicting Zamble, a mythical male spirit-being whose hybrid form fuses human, antelope, and leopard features. The elongated serene face is painted a brilliant green, with lowered almond eyes, a narrow nose with vertical forehead scarification above the brow, a small red-lipped mouth revealing the teeth, and a neat pointed chin. Rising above the brow is a tall openwork arched superstructure/crest flanked by a pair of spotted serpent-like animals,  one yellow with white spots, one white with multicolored spots, a composition representing the leopard/antelope attributes and serpent acolytes typical of the Zamble cult's iconography. The entire surface is animated with brightly painted triangles, diamonds, and ovoid pastilles in red, blue, yellow, green, black, and white; the exuberant polychromy typical of Guro masters working in commercial oil/ripolin paints from the mid-20th century onward.

Zamble is part of a sacred masquerade triad with his wife Gu (beautiful and serene) and his wild grotesque brother Zuali/Zauli, and historically performed at second funerals and commemorative ceremonies owned by specific families. The interior is deeply excavated with visible adze marks, retains its original fiber/rattan attachment cords and traces of textile costume, and bears an applied collection label 

Size: 18 inches L. 

Provenance: From the Estate of Dr David Gardner; New York and FL; acquired Charles Goldstein, The 24 collection with metal tag no 1685. 


The 24 Collection was founded by Charles Goldstein (1927–2016), a legendary Miami entrepreneur who operated high-end retail galleries and showrooms. The 24 Collection featured African and Eurasian art alongside designer furnishings and jewelry, and was a significant source of African art for Florida collectors from the 1970s onward.

Every object is guaranteed authentic and as described, and has been legally acquired and imported in accordance with U.S. and applicable foreign regulations on the movement and sale of antiquities. A signed certificate of authenticity with a description and photograph accompanies this object. Any restoration is described on the invoice.

Free insured shipping within the United States on most pieces; oversized works are quoted at checkout. We pack and ship ourselves, usually within two business days. International shipping by USPS or DHL is calculated at checkout; if your country is not listed, write to us. Customs forms state the full value; international buyers are responsible for duties and taxes.

Any object may be returned within 14 days of receipt for a refund or credit. Contact us first. See Buying from Us.

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