Grebo mask from Ivory Coast. Purchased from a German tribal art gallery. Comes with a certificate of origin. The Grebo are a people living in Liberia and Ivory Coast, estimated to number around 450,000. Determining the exact number of Grebo is challenging due to their diverse dialects forming a continuum, making precise ethnic identification ambiguous. This round-faced mask features downward-pointing fangs, a wide and long nose, protruding forehead, tubular eyes, and cheek decorations. The area of the face extending from above the eyes to below the nose is covered with a white substance, which has chipped off over time. The smooth-polished wooden mask is surrounded by holes along its edges, originally used to attach fabric that was part of the mask. Masks of this style represent forest spirits. There is limited information about the original purpose of these masks, but they are said to have been used to ward off 'soul eaters' and resolve conflicts between clans.