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Male Face Mask (Zauli)

A work made of wood, kaolin, and metal tacks.

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  • A work made of wood, kaolin, and metal tacks.

Date:

Possibly early or mid-20th century

Artist:

Guro
Côte d’Ivoire
Coastal West Africa

About this artwork

Forming a dance trio with masks known as gu and zamble (also on display in this case), zauli—or, “the Ugly”—is sometimes identified as zamble’s elder brother or father, and functions as his handsome counterpart. Zauli is everything that zamble is not: dirty, disorderly, brusque, rude, greedy, and somewhat funny. The mask is both admired and feared for its sudden mood swings and supernatural power. Even though Guro masks are now held primarily for entertainment, they were originally developed to divert evil.

Status

On View, Gallery 137

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Guro

Title

Male Face Mask (Zauli)

Place

Côte d'Ivoire (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1900–1975

Medium

Wood, kaolin, and metal tacks

Dimensions

63 × 17.5 cm (24 3/4 × 6 7/8 in.)

Credit Line

The Art Institute of Chicago, Purchased with funds provided by Mr. and Mrs. Eugene A. Davidson

Reference Number

1976.21

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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