Male Face Mask (Zauli)

Description

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.

Provenance

Mathias Komor Gallery, New York, N.Y., by 1975 [acquisition documentation in curatorial file]; sold to the Art Institute, 1976.

Male Face Mask (Zauli)

Guro

Possibly early or mid-20th century

Accession Number

50273

Medium

Wood, kaolin, and metal tacks

Dimensions

64.2 × 17.8 × 15.3 cm (25 1/4 × 7 × 6 in.)

Classification

masks

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

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