Dan Mask, Ivory Coast

Beautiful Dan mask depicting a pear-shaped face with a slightly concave face, from which emerges the high domed forehead ending in the subtle modeling of the browbones. Their line extends to the slightly protruding cheekbones to encircle the round eyes surrounded by metal, the tip of the nose stretched forward, the fleshy mouth half-open thrown forward at the lowered corners and set with metal teeth. The large round eyes clearing the view of the wearer indicate that this is probably a gunye ge « running mask "or a zakpei ge « fire guardian mask ”. The periphery of the face is decorated with parallel scarifications. Presence at the top of a wrought iron nail and sacrificial materials. Very beautiful deep nuanced patina, reddish brown, shiny. Very nice surface on the back, enlivened by the deep traces of the tool used to sculpt it.

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Origin
SVV Baratoux – Dubourg Enchères – Art d’Afrique – 15 novembre 2019, Bordeaux
Collection Eve Begalli, Grenoble, acquired during this sale