Cassandra D'Cruz
Specialist, Head of Sale
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Lot 53
Dan Mask, Cote D'Ivoire
13 November 2018, 11:00 EST
New YorkUS$15,000 - US$20,000
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Dan Mask, Cote D'Ivoire
takangle or deangle
height 11in (28cm)
Provenance
Jean-Paul Delcourt, Abidjan
Swiss Private Collection, acquired in the 1950s
Thence by descent
'Masks with delicate female features, narrow eyes, and a band over the forehead decorated with cowrie shells, serve a variety of purposes. First, and foremost, they are danced for entertainment. Known in this case as takangle, the masqueraders frequently specialize in singing. In their function as singer masks (glo sö) they support the "great mask" (go ge) and give expression to the authority of the influential Go society. Great masks act as judges and justices of the peace. On the other hand, this type of mask is also associated with the circumcision camps for adolescent boys. Called deangle, or guard masks, they serve as mediators between the camp and the village.' (Hahner, Iris, et. al., African Masks - The Barbier-Mueller Collection, Prestel, 2007, fig. 33)
Finely carved in dense wood with a carefully hollowed interior and pierced around the edges for attachment of the fiber band accented with cowrie shells and beads; the elliptical face slightly curved with the lower half angling slightly out; a raised vertical line separates the forehead and extends down the triangular nose, the protuberant open mouth inset on the upper lip with two metal teeth; fine, encrusted light brown patina with wear indicative of much cultural use.
height 11in (28cm)
Provenance
Jean-Paul Delcourt, Abidjan
Swiss Private Collection, acquired in the 1950s
Thence by descent
'Masks with delicate female features, narrow eyes, and a band over the forehead decorated with cowrie shells, serve a variety of purposes. First, and foremost, they are danced for entertainment. Known in this case as takangle, the masqueraders frequently specialize in singing. In their function as singer masks (glo sö) they support the "great mask" (go ge) and give expression to the authority of the influential Go society. Great masks act as judges and justices of the peace. On the other hand, this type of mask is also associated with the circumcision camps for adolescent boys. Called deangle, or guard masks, they serve as mediators between the camp and the village.' (Hahner, Iris, et. al., African Masks - The Barbier-Mueller Collection, Prestel, 2007, fig. 33)
Finely carved in dense wood with a carefully hollowed interior and pierced around the edges for attachment of the fiber band accented with cowrie shells and beads; the elliptical face slightly curved with the lower half angling slightly out; a raised vertical line separates the forehead and extends down the triangular nose, the protuberant open mouth inset on the upper lip with two metal teeth; fine, encrusted light brown patina with wear indicative of much cultural use.
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