Sikire KAMBIRE Gaoua (1896 - 5 October 1963, Gaoua, Burkina Faso). Wooden mask with a beautiful harmonious volume, finely striated curved hairstyle, semi-circular eyes and scarification marks on the temples. Height: 17 cm. Width: 11 cm. Small chips. Note: The appearance of this type of mask dates back to Henri Labouret, who was French colonial administrator of the Gaoua region from 1914 to 1924, and who commissioned Sikire Kambire to copy a Baule mask. Kambire was considered the most talented Lobi sculptor. He was trained by the great master Okuena of the "Gbokho" school of sculptors. Literature: For more details on Sikire Kambire and an overview of his work, see P. Meyer Kunst und religion des Lobi Rietberg Museum Zurich 1981.