Superb mask, Dan Bec. - dan /magic - Côte d'Ivoire (No reserve price)

Fetish Beak Mask - Dan / Mahou - Liberia - African masks
Among the Dan, masks are the spirits of the bush and not their representatives.

Very numerous in their diversity, the Dan masks are called Guégo, 'mask head'.
The general term Gle (Gleu in the southwest) refers to the entire character.
Glé embodies the spiritual force that dwells in the forest and wishes to participate in the life of the village.

The mask bearer and its owner enjoy a very high status within the village hierarchy.
Their appearance at masked parties resolves conflicts that could not be settled by the village chief.
Those who do not respect masks commit a serious crime against their society and their religion.

The Dan masks are very hierarchical during ceremonies.
Some appear only to entertain the public, while others are silent or equipped with speech.
The majority speak and sing, their voices capable of manifesting through music.
The details of a classification approach established by JB Bacquart are available here.

Generally made from very hard wood, they are polished with leaves from a tree similar to sandpaper, then dyed black using natural dyes (latex, soot...).

Round-eyed masks embody a feminine spirit, while slitted eyes represent a masculine spirit.

Often, for funeral masks, the mouth is widely rounded, as the mask sings praises of the deceased. (local sources AM)

Older funerary masks have either a normal or sewn mouth.