Mask - Dan - Côte d’Ivoire

Dan mask , Ivory Coast culture. 1950’s.
Tribal African art used for cultural dances, rituals or ceremonial use.
Powerful ceremonial mask.
Jute attached with hemp twine or local vine fibre acts as a head piece attachment covering whatever costume used beneath it.
The tubular eyes (nya-gbo), a classic feature of masculine nature, pertaining to the use for either entertainment, judges or warriors.
The round eyes symbolize telescope allowing wearer to see into both the human and spirit world.
The open mouth represents the aggressive, dynamic or fearsome spirit.
Wood used to carve this particular mask probably iroko wood being more malleable and impervious to bugs and insects.
Approx: 24 cm high x 19 cm width.
Depth: 7 cm.
Thickness of mask: 1.6 cm