Mask – Wood – Dan – Ivory Coast

Old Dan mask in a very expressive design.
The Dan style is quite evident, with round eyes and large bulging mouth
Good condition with a beautiful aged patina on the wood.

The border between Cote d’Ivoire and Liberia cuts across several ethnic groups, including the Dan, Wee, Kran, and Grebo. In Dan society, dangerous immaterial forest spirits are translated into the forms of human face masks. Whether or not they are worn, such sculptures are spiritually charged. Male performers, gle-zo, experience a dream sent by the mask spirit that allows them to dance it. In performance, the masks are integrated into the hierarchical system that governs political and religious life.
Dan masks have been documented as the embodiment of at least a dozen artistic personalities.

Provenance: Manfred Schäfer, former gallery owner Ulm, Germany. Custom made stand is included in this lot.

Object	Mask
Ethnic group:	Dan
Country:	Ivory Coast
Material:	Wood
Estimated period:	Mid 20th century
Sold with stand:	Yes
Dimensions:	40x16x12 cm (with stand)
Weight:	1800 gram
Condition:	Good condition, used with some signs of wear