Dance mask - Dan / Wé - Côte d'Ivoire
03
days
05
hours
05
minutes
34
seconds
Current bid
€ 35
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
 | €35 | |
|---|---|---|
| €25 |
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 141366 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Dan / Wé wooden dance mask from Côte d'Ivoire, 24 cm high, 17 cm wide and 9.5 cm deep, carved in bois with cubist and anthropo‑zoomorphic features, missing the small wooden point of the left nostril, in good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Ivory Coast
Dan / Wè
Wood
Height: 240mm
Width: 170mm
Depth: 95mm
Missing the small wooden point of the left nostril.
This African wooden mask, 24 cm tall, carved in a vigorous and expressive style, has features that likely orient it toward the Dan or Wè (Guéré / Wobé) cultural area, located in the western region of Ivory Coast and Liberia.
1. Stylistic Characteristics and Origin
The mask’s aesthetics rely on strong cubist and anthropo-zoomorphic traits:
The cheek treatment: Deep vertical grooves carved along the lower part of the face recall traditional scarifications or symbolic motifs found in certain variants of masks from western Ivory Coast (notably among the Wè or neighboring Bete).
Cubical volumes: The nose is highly stylized, forming a protruding rectangular block. The eyes are wide, well-cut oval slits to allow the dancer to see.
The mouth and dentition: The mouth is wide open and prominent, simulating a grimace or shout. It is lined with metal teeth or wooden pegs pointing downward, a frequent attribute aimed at reinforcing the aggressive or wild aspect of the character.
Peripheral perforations: Numerous holes surround the mask’s rim, as well as on the nose and the top of the lip. They were used to fix a substantial adornment that is now gone: a fabric or raffia fiber headdress, a beard, or sometimes animal fur.
This morphology, intermediate between man and animal, directly evokes the so‑called monkey masks (Gon or Kagle) of the Dan‑Wè culture.
2. Use and Ritual Function
In western Ivory Coast traditions, this mask belongs to the category of action masks, dramatic entertainment, or social regulation:
The wild-behavior mask (Kagle or Gon): Unlike masks of idealized beauty (Deangle), this mask embodies a force of the jungle that is unruly, turbulent, and provocative. During celebrations, the dancer adopts unpredictable behavior, mimics simian attitudes, chases spectators, and throws sticks to create a theatrical and festive interaction with the crowd.
Learning and control function: beneath its comic or aggressive exterior, its role is to illustrate antisocial behaviors (violence, chaos, lack of manners) to better valorize, by contrast, the order, discipline, and wisdom promoted by village elders.
Summary
This 24 cm mask originates from the Dan / Wè region (western Ivory Coast). Characterized by its cubical nose, striated cheeks, and an open mouth with sharp teeth, it is a monkey mask or forest spirit. It was used at community celebrations to animate the village with provocative theatrical rituals, while serving as a moral counterexample to teach the rules of social life.
Packages are shipped Monday through Saturday with insurance and a tracking number.
Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery in the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo International.
We speak English
Mask African art African mask art arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Art of statues of Africa arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane African mask art
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 / Wè
Wood
Height: 240mm
Width: 170mm
Depth: 95mm
Missing the small wooden point of the left nostril.
This African wooden mask, 24 cm tall, carved in a vigorous and expressive style, has features that likely orient it toward the Dan or Wè (Guéré / Wobé) cultural area, located in the western region of Ivory Coast and Liberia.
1. Stylistic Characteristics and Origin
The mask’s aesthetics rely on strong cubist and anthropo-zoomorphic traits:
The cheek treatment: Deep vertical grooves carved along the lower part of the face recall traditional scarifications or symbolic motifs found in certain variants of masks from western Ivory Coast (notably among the Wè or neighboring Bete).
Cubical volumes: The nose is highly stylized, forming a protruding rectangular block. The eyes are wide, well-cut oval slits to allow the dancer to see.
The mouth and dentition: The mouth is wide open and prominent, simulating a grimace or shout. It is lined with metal teeth or wooden pegs pointing downward, a frequent attribute aimed at reinforcing the aggressive or wild aspect of the character.
Peripheral perforations: Numerous holes surround the mask’s rim, as well as on the nose and the top of the lip. They were used to fix a substantial adornment that is now gone: a fabric or raffia fiber headdress, a beard, or sometimes animal fur.
This morphology, intermediate between man and animal, directly evokes the so‑called monkey masks (Gon or Kagle) of the Dan‑Wè culture.
2. Use and Ritual Function
In western Ivory Coast traditions, this mask belongs to the category of action masks, dramatic entertainment, or social regulation:
The wild-behavior mask (Kagle or Gon): Unlike masks of idealized beauty (Deangle), this mask embodies a force of the jungle that is unruly, turbulent, and provocative. During celebrations, the dancer adopts unpredictable behavior, mimics simian attitudes, chases spectators, and throws sticks to create a theatrical and festive interaction with the crowd.
Learning and control function: beneath its comic or aggressive exterior, its role is to illustrate antisocial behaviors (violence, chaos, lack of manners) to better valorize, by contrast, the order, discipline, and wisdom promoted by village elders.
Summary
This 24 cm mask originates from the Dan / Wè region (western Ivory Coast). Characterized by its cubical nose, striated cheeks, and an open mouth with sharp teeth, it is a monkey mask or forest spirit. It was used at community celebrations to animate the village with provocative theatrical rituals, while serving as a moral counterexample to teach the rules of social life.
Packages are shipped Monday through Saturday with insurance and a tracking number.
Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery in the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo International.
We speak English
Mask African art African mask art arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Art of statues of Africa arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane African mask art
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
Dance mask
Ethnic group/ culture
Dan / Wé
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Fair condition
Sold by
