stunning mask - Dan - Liberia (No reserve price)

MALE MASK - DAN / YACOUBA - LIBERIA - AFRICAN MASKS
Among the Dan, masks are the spirits of the bush and not their representatives.

Very numerous in their diversity, the Dan masks are named Guégo, "mask-head".
The general term Glé (Gleu in the southwest) designating the entire character.
Glé embodies the spiritual force that inhabits the forest and wishes to participate in village life.

The mask bearer and its owner enjoy a very high status in the village hierarchy.
Their appearance, during masked celebrations, resolves conflicts that could not have been settled by the village chief.
One who does not respect the masks commits a serious crime against his society and his religion.

Dan masks are highly hierarchical during ceremonies: some appear only to entertain the public, others are mute or endowed with speech.
The majority speak and sing, their voice may manifest through music.
Typically made from very hard wood, they are polished with the leaves of a tree similar to sandpaper, then dyed black using plant dye (latex, soot...).

Masks with round eyes embody a feminine spirit, eyes slits a masculine spirit