Deangle Dance Mask - Dan - Côte d'Ivoire
05
days
18
hours
55
minutes
45
seconds
Starting bid
€ 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 bois mask from the Dan people of Côte d'Ivoire, measuring 215 mm high, 135 mm wide and 65 mm deep, in good condition, sold without a stand.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Ivory Coast
Dan
Wood
Height: 215 mm
Width: 135 mm
Depth: 65 mm
This mask is a highly classical and particularly expressive work from the Dan people, in Ivory Coast.
It is more specifically linked to the Deangle (or Tankagle) mask category, characterized by fine features, great softness, and often described by specialists as "feminine masks" because of their aesthetic ideal of serenity, though they are exclusively worn 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 the piece. This line or band of white kaolin emphasized around the eye slits symbolizes the link with the invisible world, purity, and clairvoyance. It indicates that the spirit of the mask acts in light and with benevolence.
The narrowed or slit eyes: Unlike war or justice masks (with round and tubular orbits projecting anger), the horizontal, almost closed eyes express reserve, interiority, peace, wisdom, and docility.
The full, slightly open lips: The mouth is of substantial flesh, protruding slightly forward. The lips are sculpted very realistically and are drawn to sing, murmur blessings, or emit melodic sounds during rituals.
The braided headpiece around the edge: The perimeter of the wooden face is adorned with a braid of plant fibers or rough fabric, which materializes hair implantation and served as an anchor to the heavy textile and raffia costume that concealed the dancer’s body.
2. Its ritual and social use
The Deangle mask is fundamentally a 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 the 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:
Women of the village, not allowed to enter the camp, would bring food to the mask bearer.
The mask would then transport 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 dedicated more to public play) participated in village festivities. 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. A superb patina of use is visible, heavily marked at 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 mounting method of the mask to ensure the dancer’s perfect stability during the smooth, rhythmic movements of the choreography.
The parcels are shipped Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France with Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery in the rest of Europe and worldwide with Colissimo international.
We speak english
Mask african art African mask art arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
African statue art 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
Wood
Height: 215 mm
Width: 135 mm
Depth: 65 mm
This mask is a highly classical and particularly expressive work from the Dan people, in Ivory Coast.
It is more specifically linked to the Deangle (or Tankagle) mask category, characterized by fine features, great softness, and often described by specialists as "feminine masks" because of their aesthetic ideal of serenity, though they are exclusively worn 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 the piece. This line or band of white kaolin emphasized around the eye slits symbolizes the link with the invisible world, purity, and clairvoyance. It indicates that the spirit of the mask acts in light and with benevolence.
The narrowed or slit eyes: Unlike war or justice masks (with round and tubular orbits projecting anger), the horizontal, almost closed eyes express reserve, interiority, peace, wisdom, and docility.
The full, slightly open lips: The mouth is of substantial flesh, protruding slightly forward. The lips are sculpted very realistically and are drawn to sing, murmur blessings, or emit melodic sounds during rituals.
The braided headpiece around the edge: The perimeter of the wooden face is adorned with a braid of plant fibers or rough fabric, which materializes hair implantation and served as an anchor to the heavy textile and raffia costume that concealed the dancer’s body.
2. Its ritual and social use
The Deangle mask is fundamentally a 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 the 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:
Women of the village, not allowed to enter the camp, would bring food to the mask bearer.
The mask would then transport 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 dedicated more to public play) participated in village festivities. 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. A superb patina of use is visible, heavily marked at 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 mounting method of the mask to ensure the dancer’s perfect stability during the smooth, rhythmic movements of the choreography.
The parcels are shipped Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France with Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery in the rest of Europe and worldwide with Colissimo international.
We speak english
Mask african art African mask art arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
African statue art 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
Deangle Dance Mask
Ethnic group/ culture
Dan
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Sold by
