The masks below have been sold and are left here for reference and educational purposes.
For UNSOLD We/Wobe masks GO TO WE/WOBE MASK 251
Mask 262 14" high SOLD |
Mask 256 12" high SOLD |
Mask 253 10.5" high SOLD |
 
Mask 257 35" long SOLD |
 
Mask 258 26" long SOLD |
 Mask 259 27" high SOLD |
 Mask 260 16" high SOLD |
 Mask 255 18" SOLD |
Mask 252 14" high SOLD |
Mask 254 13" high SOLD |
Mask 261 15" high SOLD |
Living in along the western edge of the Ivory Coast, the Wobe and their neighbors the Guere share numerous customs and beliefs. Although they are separate tribes, the two peoples are often referred to as the We, whose name means "men who easily forgive
According to Jean-Baptiste Bacquart in his excellent book The Tribal Arts of Africa, We carvers focused on sculpting powerful face masks to which paraphernalia such as shells, bells, nails and feathers were added which were thought to reinforce the power of the masks.
The ferocious aspect of We/Guere masks - bulging eyes, open mouths and sometimes protruding horns - accounts for their identification as "war" masks but, according to Bacquart, they are worn primarily during funerals and - in a"detective" capacity - to single out guilty persons.
We carvers seem to have focused their skills on carving powerful face masks to which paraphernalia such as cowrie shells, bells, nails and feathers were attached. These applied pieces were thought to reinforce the power of the mask. Wobe masks have protruding globular eyes and enlarged lips. The horns found on Guere masks are usually absent from Wobe ones.
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