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Dan Masks : Polychrome Dan Mask with Raffia Coiffure
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Polychrome Dan Mask with Raffia Coiffure - PF.8020 (LSO)
Origin: Liberia/Ivory Coast
Circa: 20
th
Century AD
Collection: African Art
Style: Go Ge (?)
Medium: Wood, Nails, Raffia
$9,800.00
Location: United States
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Photo Gallery |
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Description |
This powerfully rendered and well-used mask
was made on the West African coast, and
possesses traits indicative of several distinct
groups. The face is long and fairly narrow, with a
prominent forehead. The nose and eyebrows are
carved in high relief, with flanges at the bottom
of the nose to indicate nostrils. The mouth is
open, exposing the teeth. The face is painted
with stripes of bright colours from the eyes
diagonally down to the jawline. The midline of
the face is marked with a line of brass studs
reaching from the forehead to the chin. The apex
of the head is adorned with numerous nails that
have been bent over, attaching and supporting
various pieces of leather, textile and raffia that
surmount the head to represent a hat or coiffure.
The patina is uneven, and the mask shows signs
of long use.
The form of the mask and the coiffure suggest
an origin with the Dan of Liberia and the Ivory
Coast. Much of their mythology and social
structure is based upon the forest and its fiercer
creatures – the Leopard Society is the main
organ of social control. Prior to the 1960s there
was scarcely a social function that did not have
its own mask, from fire-watching (= fire warden),
adjudicators, warriors, debt collectors, social
delinquents and warriors, and others for enlisting
workers to clear paths, to catch runaway wives,
to race unmasked athletes (“runner masks”), to
snatch feast food to serve to children and even
for spying. The paint, however, is unusual for
these pieces, which are usually dyed black or
very dark brown with minor details (especially
the eyes) picked out in lighter colours. It is
interesting to note the brass studs, as these are
more typical of another West African coastal
group: the Bete. However, the facial features are
refined and moderate, unlike the grotesque
warrior masks produced by the Bete, so it is
more probably an example of Dan art.
The precise function of this piece cannot be
ascertained with certainty, although it bears
characters reminiscent of Go-Ge masks – these
were worn for chiefly funerals. Whatever its
function, this is an impressive and attractive
piece of African art.
- (PF.8020 (LSO))
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