Mask of Initiation - Dan - Côte d'Ivoire
07
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02
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12
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€ 1
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 220 - € 250
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Initiation mask from the Dan people of Côte d'Ivoire, carved wood with a cord, dimensions 275 × 175 × 120 mm, provenance Côte d'Ivoire occidentale / Liberia.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Côte d'Ivoire
Dan
Wood / cordage
Height: 275mm
Width: 175mm
Depth: 120mm
Sécation slit at the top middle on the back, with a metal clasp, see photo of the back of the mask.
From the morphology, several features stand out:
elongated and highly stylized face;
numerous metallic inlays;
three small heads or faces arranged on the upper part;
compact and deep volume allowing wear on the face.
The whole evokes the traditions of western Côte d'Ivoire and the border area of Liberia, notably the Dan, Wè (Guéré) peoples or certain related groups.
However, the three superimposed faces constitute an unusual element. This iconography more closely resembles masks associated with particular spiritual powers, the representation of multiple ancestors, or initiatory societies.
If the object is indeed ritual, it could have served:
- during initiation ceremonies;
- in dances linked to male societies;
- for rituals of communal protection;
- during funerals or ancestral commemorations;
- as a temporary incarnation of a protective spirit.
The three faces could symbolize:
- several ancestors reunited;
- a supernatural vision in multiple directions;
- the meeting of different spiritual powers;
- the presence of auxiliary spirits accompanying the main entity.
The numerous metallic discs do not seem to be purely decorative. In several West African traditions, metal is associated with:
- protection against harmful influences;
- prestige;
- spiritual strength;
- the social status of the holder.
Provenance:
Western Côte d'Ivoire / Liberia region
Dan or Wè related tradition.
What makes this piece interesting is not so much its size but its three-face iconography, relatively uncommon.
The parcels are sent from Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days by Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide by Colissimo International.
We speak english
Mask african art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateCôte d'Ivoire
Dan
Wood / cordage
Height: 275mm
Width: 175mm
Depth: 120mm
Sécation slit at the top middle on the back, with a metal clasp, see photo of the back of the mask.
From the morphology, several features stand out:
elongated and highly stylized face;
numerous metallic inlays;
three small heads or faces arranged on the upper part;
compact and deep volume allowing wear on the face.
The whole evokes the traditions of western Côte d'Ivoire and the border area of Liberia, notably the Dan, Wè (Guéré) peoples or certain related groups.
However, the three superimposed faces constitute an unusual element. This iconography more closely resembles masks associated with particular spiritual powers, the representation of multiple ancestors, or initiatory societies.
If the object is indeed ritual, it could have served:
- during initiation ceremonies;
- in dances linked to male societies;
- for rituals of communal protection;
- during funerals or ancestral commemorations;
- as a temporary incarnation of a protective spirit.
The three faces could symbolize:
- several ancestors reunited;
- a supernatural vision in multiple directions;
- the meeting of different spiritual powers;
- the presence of auxiliary spirits accompanying the main entity.
The numerous metallic discs do not seem to be purely decorative. In several West African traditions, metal is associated with:
- protection against harmful influences;
- prestige;
- spiritual strength;
- the social status of the holder.
Provenance:
Western Côte d'Ivoire / Liberia region
Dan or Wè related tradition.
What makes this piece interesting is not so much its size but its three-face iconography, relatively uncommon.
The parcels are sent from Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days by Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide by Colissimo International.
We speak english
Mask african art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Indigenous object name
Mask of Initiation
Ethnic group/ culture
Dan
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Wood / cordalette
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Fair condition
Sold by
