Important Dan mask of Tanglalé type – carved wood, cowries, bells, beads and fibers – Coast - Tanglalé-type Dan mask - Dan - Côte d'Ivoire

Spectacular African mask attributed to the Dan people, of the Tanglalé type, Ivory Coast / Western African forest region.

Very expressive and remarkably decorated, this piece combines a powerful wooden sculpture with a particularly rich ensemble of traditional ornaments: natural cowrie shells, contrasting black and white beads, plant fibers, textile elements and numerous patinated metal bells.

The face features a particularly strong sculptural construction: high rounded forehead, projecting powerful nose, broad mouth with richly modeled lips and deliberately pared-down facial lines. The surface retains a dark irregular patina, punctuated by significant signs of wear and erosion that give the mask a remarkable presence.

The hairstyle consists of a substantial sequence of cowrie shells arranged around the upper part of the face. The cowries, long associated in several West African regions with wealth, prestige and exchange, confer on the mask an exceptional decorative presence.

The lower part is especially spectacular: several bells and ancient metal elements, now deeply patinated, surround the chin and are paired with cords, fibers and rows of black and white beads. The whole must have produced, as the wearer moved, a sonic dimension that reinforced the visual impact of the mask.

The reverse side is just as interesting for the collector. It allows direct observation of the wooden structure, the old fastenings, the fibers, the stitching and the significant traces of use and age. Losses, cracks, abrasions, oxidations and alterations of organic materials are left visible and fully contribute to the character of the piece.

The interest of this exemplar lies precisely in its non-over-restored condition: the aging of the wood, the wear of the pigments or surface deposits, the degradation of the textiles, the ancient fibers and the oxidation of the metal elements constitute a visually very coherent whole.

Dan masks are among the most famous mask traditions of Ivory Coast and Liberia. In this tradition, different types of masks could be associated with social, ceremonial and performative functions. The masks marketed under the name Tanglalé are notably characterized by particularly developed ornamentation; Catawiki has recently presented examples also featuring cowries, bells, beads, textiles and plant fibers.

Materials: carved wood, cowries, metal, beads, textile, plant fibers and cords.
Origin attributed: Ivory Coast, Dan cultural area.
Type: Tanglalé / “singer” mask.
Dating proposed: mid to late 20th century.
Condition: antique with substantial traces of use, material losses, cracks, abrasions, textile and fiber deterioration and oxidation of metal elements. Please examine the photographs carefully, which are an integral part of the description.