Dance mask - Dan - Côte d'Ivoire
01
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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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Dan mask titled Masque de danse from Côte d'Ivoire, carved in wood by the Dan people, dimensions 220 × 135 × 60 mm, provenance Biankouma in eastern Côte d'Ivoire near Man and the Liberia–Guinea border, in excellent condition, sold without a stand.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Ivory Coast
Dan
Wood
Height: 220 mm
Width: 135 mm
Depth: 60 mm
Provenance: collected at Biankouma in the east of Ivory Coast near the town of Man and close to the border with Liberia and Guinea.
1. Geographical and cultural origin
The forest region: The Dan people live in a zone of forests and mountains extending mainly in the west of Ivory Coast and the northeast of Liberia, where they are sometimes called Gio.
The bush spirits (Gle): Among the Dan, the mask is not designed as a human creation intended to hide a face, but as the physical manifestation of a Gle (an invisible bush spirit). This spirit chooses to incarnate itself through wood to communicate with humans and participate in the management of society.
2. Ritual use and typology
In Dan statuary, the shape of the eyes directly determines the function and character of the mask spirit. Here two broad categories are distinguished; this mask belongs to the second:
Feminine masks with half-closed eyes (Deangle): Usually soft, peaceful and linked to initiation or rejoicing.
The running or fire mask (Zakpei or Gunyege): The piece has large round, excavated eyes, characteristic of masks with a dynamic, masculine or warrior function.
The running mask (Gunyege): Used during inter-district or inter-village foot-race competitions during the dry season. The wearer of the mask pursues the youths; if he catches them, he removes an attribute. It is a means of training the youth and maintaining dynamic social cohesion.
The fire-surveillance mask (Zakpei): During the dry season, when hot winds blow and fire risks are high, this mask travels through the village to ensure that women have truly extinguished domestic hearths before midday. If a fire is left unattended, the mask imposes a fine or confiscates goods.
3. Stylistic characteristics of the piece
The aesthetics of this piece testify to the pared-down classicism and strong graphic force of Dan art:
The oval of the face: The mask presents an oval shape, with a slightly protruding forehead and a chin that narrows downward.
The eyes and mouth: The circular, wide, and deeply perforated orbits provide excellent visibility to the dancer (essential for running or rapid movements). The mouth is carved with volume, with full lips projecting forward and slightly open, letting the breath pass.
The peripheral perforations: The numerous circular openings drilled along the lateral and lower border were used to fasten a thick beard (often made of plant fibers or hair) as well as the headdress and the fabric costume that entirely concealed the body of the initiate.
Patina and reverse: The outer face shows a dark, matte patina, evidence of traditional application of plant pigments or ritual mud. The reverse shows a regular hollow and a lighter internal patina caused by repeated rubbing against the wearer’s face.
Fast and protected shipment. Packages are sent with tracking number. Delivery between 1 and 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union via Chronopost International. Delivery via Colissimo International in the rest of Europe and worldwide
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
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: 220 mm
Width: 135 mm
Depth: 60 mm
Provenance: collected at Biankouma in the east of Ivory Coast near the town of Man and close to the border with Liberia and Guinea.
1. Geographical and cultural origin
The forest region: The Dan people live in a zone of forests and mountains extending mainly in the west of Ivory Coast and the northeast of Liberia, where they are sometimes called Gio.
The bush spirits (Gle): Among the Dan, the mask is not designed as a human creation intended to hide a face, but as the physical manifestation of a Gle (an invisible bush spirit). This spirit chooses to incarnate itself through wood to communicate with humans and participate in the management of society.
2. Ritual use and typology
In Dan statuary, the shape of the eyes directly determines the function and character of the mask spirit. Here two broad categories are distinguished; this mask belongs to the second:
Feminine masks with half-closed eyes (Deangle): Usually soft, peaceful and linked to initiation or rejoicing.
The running or fire mask (Zakpei or Gunyege): The piece has large round, excavated eyes, characteristic of masks with a dynamic, masculine or warrior function.
The running mask (Gunyege): Used during inter-district or inter-village foot-race competitions during the dry season. The wearer of the mask pursues the youths; if he catches them, he removes an attribute. It is a means of training the youth and maintaining dynamic social cohesion.
The fire-surveillance mask (Zakpei): During the dry season, when hot winds blow and fire risks are high, this mask travels through the village to ensure that women have truly extinguished domestic hearths before midday. If a fire is left unattended, the mask imposes a fine or confiscates goods.
3. Stylistic characteristics of the piece
The aesthetics of this piece testify to the pared-down classicism and strong graphic force of Dan art:
The oval of the face: The mask presents an oval shape, with a slightly protruding forehead and a chin that narrows downward.
The eyes and mouth: The circular, wide, and deeply perforated orbits provide excellent visibility to the dancer (essential for running or rapid movements). The mouth is carved with volume, with full lips projecting forward and slightly open, letting the breath pass.
The peripheral perforations: The numerous circular openings drilled along the lateral and lower border were used to fasten a thick beard (often made of plant fibers or hair) as well as the headdress and the fabric costume that entirely concealed the body of the initiate.
Patina and reverse: The outer face shows a dark, matte patina, evidence of traditional application of plant pigments or ritual mud. The reverse shows a regular hollow and a lighter internal patina caused by repeated rubbing against the wearer’s face.
Fast and protected shipment. Packages are sent with tracking number. Delivery between 1 and 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union via Chronopost International. Delivery via Colissimo International in the rest of Europe and worldwide
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
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
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Excellent condition
Sold by
