Deangle Dance Mask - Dan - Côte d'Ivoire
06
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13
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02
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03
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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 € 150 - € 200
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Masque de danse Deangle, a wood mask from Côte d'Ivoire by the Dan people, in good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Ivory Coast
Dan
Wood
Height: 215mm
Width: 135mm
Depth: 65mm
This mask is a highly classical work and particularly expressive of the Dan people’s art in Ivory Coast.
It is more specifically linked to the Deangle (or Tankagle) type of mask, characterized by fine features, great gentleness, and often described by specialists as "feminine masks" due to their aesthetic ideal of serenity, though they are worn exclusively by men.
1. The symbolism of the mask
Among the Dan, the plastic beauty of a mask directly reflects its goodness and spiritual benevolence. The morphological elements of this piece possess highly codified symbolic codes:
The white kaolin around the eyes: This is one of the most striking aspects of this piece. This line or this band of white kaolin emphasized around the eye slits symbolizes the link with the invisible world, purity and clairvoyance. It indicates that the mask’s spirit acts in light and with benevolence.
The narrowed or split eyes: Unlike war or justice masks (with round and tubular orbits projecting anger), the horizontal, almost closed eyes express restraint, interiority, peace, wisdom and docility.
The full, slightly open lips: The mouth is fleshy, protruding slightly forward. The lips are sculpted in a highly realistic way and are drawn to sing, murmur blessings or emit melodious sounds during rituals.
The braided border headdress: The circumference of the wooden face is dressed with a braid of vegetal fibers or rough fabric, which materializes the hair implantation and served as an anchor for the heavy textile and raffia costume that concealed the dancer’s body.
2. Its ritual and social use
The Deangle mask is a fundamentally mediating, protective and festive entity. Its interventions within the community revolved around three major roles:
The link with initiation camps
Historically, this was its primary function. When village boys isolated themselves in the bush for their initiation period (the passage to adulthood), this mask served as a sacred link between them and the rest of the community:
Having no right to enter the camp, the village women would hand food to the mask-bearer.
The mask would then carry these provisions to the young initiates in the bush. It embodied a reassuring, almost maternal figure, watching over their well-being during this difficult transition.
Public entertainment and blessing
Outside of initiation periods, the Deangle (which becomes Tankagle when it dedicates itself more to public performances) participated in village celebrations. It is a mask that loves interacting with the crowd:
It moves gracefully, accompanied by musicians (often drum players).
It sings, recites proverbs, mimics scenes and distributes blessings to villagers in exchange for small gifts or food.
The back of this piece offers valuable technological clues. One observes a superb patina from use, very marked in the center and on the edges, due to repeated contact with the dancer’s forehead and cheeks. The peripheral orifices, regularly pierced, confirm the solid method of fastening the mask to ensure the dancer’s perfect stability during the fluid and rhythmic movements of his choreography.
Packages are sent from Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in France in 1 to 3 days with Chronopost, 2 to 5 days throughout the European Union.
Delivery in the rest of Europe and worldwide with 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 TranslateIvory Coast
Dan
Wood
Height: 215mm
Width: 135mm
Depth: 65mm
This mask is a highly classical work and particularly expressive of the Dan people’s art in Ivory Coast.
It is more specifically linked to the Deangle (or Tankagle) type of mask, characterized by fine features, great gentleness, and often described by specialists as "feminine masks" due to their aesthetic ideal of serenity, though they are worn exclusively by men.
1. The symbolism of the mask
Among the Dan, the plastic beauty of a mask directly reflects its goodness and spiritual benevolence. The morphological elements of this piece possess highly codified symbolic codes:
The white kaolin around the eyes: This is one of the most striking aspects of this piece. This line or this band of white kaolin emphasized around the eye slits symbolizes the link with the invisible world, purity and clairvoyance. It indicates that the mask’s spirit acts in light and with benevolence.
The narrowed or split eyes: Unlike war or justice masks (with round and tubular orbits projecting anger), the horizontal, almost closed eyes express restraint, interiority, peace, wisdom and docility.
The full, slightly open lips: The mouth is fleshy, protruding slightly forward. The lips are sculpted in a highly realistic way and are drawn to sing, murmur blessings or emit melodious sounds during rituals.
The braided border headdress: The circumference of the wooden face is dressed with a braid of vegetal fibers or rough fabric, which materializes the hair implantation and served as an anchor for the heavy textile and raffia costume that concealed the dancer’s body.
2. Its ritual and social use
The Deangle mask is a fundamentally mediating, protective and festive entity. Its interventions within the community revolved around three major roles:
The link with initiation camps
Historically, this was its primary function. When village boys isolated themselves in the bush for their initiation period (the passage to adulthood), this mask served as a sacred link between them and the rest of the community:
Having no right to enter the camp, the village women would hand food to the mask-bearer.
The mask would then carry these provisions to the young initiates in the bush. It embodied a reassuring, almost maternal figure, watching over their well-being during this difficult transition.
Public entertainment and blessing
Outside of initiation periods, the Deangle (which becomes Tankagle when it dedicates itself more to public performances) participated in village celebrations. It is a mask that loves interacting with the crowd:
It moves gracefully, accompanied by musicians (often drum players).
It sings, recites proverbs, mimics scenes and distributes blessings to villagers in exchange for small gifts or food.
The back of this piece offers valuable technological clues. One observes a superb patina from use, very marked in the center and on the edges, due to repeated contact with the dancer’s forehead and cheeks. The peripheral orifices, regularly pierced, confirm the solid method of fastening the mask to ensure the dancer’s perfect stability during the fluid and rhythmic movements of his choreography.
Packages are sent from Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in France in 1 to 3 days with Chronopost, 2 to 5 days throughout the European Union.
Delivery in the rest of Europe and worldwide with 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
Deangle Dance Mask
Ethnic group/ culture
Dan
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Sold by
