Superb mask - Dan - Côte d'Ivoire (No reserve price)
03
days
10
hours
40
minutes
49
seconds
No bids placed
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 123609 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Fire Mask by Dan/Yacouba, Côte d'Ivoire, made of wood, raphia and cowrie shells; dimensions 37 × 25 × 20 cm; good condition; period 2000–2010.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Fire Mask - Dan / Yacouba - Côte d'Ivoire
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.
The red masks are called 'fire masks'.
Similar in shape to racing masks, they are tasked with monitoring household fires lit by housewives in the courtyards of homes.
Fires can be dangerous when the wind picks up. They should be extinguished during the hot hours of the day; otherwise, beware of those who do not pay attention to the rules.
The mask will rise up, with a playful slapstick in hand to call her to order.
Her husband will be liable for a fine that will be collected by the head of the sacred house.
The fire mask can also direct rescue operations during a bushfire.
Fire Mask - Dan / Yacouba - Côte d'Ivoire
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.
The red masks are called 'fire masks'.
Similar in shape to racing masks, they are tasked with monitoring household fires lit by housewives in the courtyards of homes.
Fires can be dangerous when the wind picks up. They should be extinguished during the hot hours of the day; otherwise, beware of those who do not pay attention to the rules.
The mask will rise up, with a playful slapstick in hand to call her to order.
Her husband will be liable for a fine that will be collected by the head of the sacred house.
The fire mask can also direct rescue operations during a bushfire.
Details
Indigenous object name
Superb mask
No. of items
1
Ethnic group/ culture
Dan
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Period
2000-2010
Material
wood, raphia, and cowries
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Height
37 cm
Width
25 cm
Depth
20 cm
