A We or Wobé mask, Eastern Ivory Coast, collected in the village Tai, decorated with wood carved teeth around the face, half painted red, half white, full round mouth with metal prongs decorating it, large nose painted black, puffy eyes open in slits, the top of the head is mounted with darkened cotton; the back of the mask protected by fabric around the edge of the mask. Signs of use. Provenance: Belo Mohamed Garba. "The border between Cote d'Ivoire and Liberia cuts across several ethnic groups, including the Dan, Wee, Kran, and Grebo. In Dan society, dangerous immaterial forest spirits are translated into the forms of human face masks. Whether or not they are worn, such sculptures are spiritually charged. Male performers, gle-zo, experience a dream sent by the mask spirit that allows them to dance it. In performance, the masks are integrated into the hierarchical system that governs political and religious life." Lit: The Met