This striking 0.50 franc stamp from the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire depicts a Masque Bété — a traditional ceremonial mask of the Bété people, renowned for their elaborate and expressive wooden carvings used in rituals and dances. Designed by Geo François and printed by A. Frères, the stamp features a finely detailed engraved rendering in brown tones, framed with geometric borders typical of early Ivorian issues. It celebrates the country’s rich artistic heritage and the symbolic role of masks in West African cultural identity during the post-independence period.