A Guere mask, Danane region, Ivory Coast. Incl. stand. This mask, carved from wood and composite materials, is a mask from the Dan culture (or the neighboring Wè/Guéré cultural group), originating from western Côte d'Ivoire or Liberia. It is a classic example of a polychrome mask featuring a variety of decorative elements (fibers and earthen crust). A mass of earthen material forms the top of the mask, crowned by an imposing, voluminous headdress with the appearance of a rough, beige crust. It is composed of a mixture of earth, fibers, and agglomerated ritual materials. Just below this headdress, the upper part of the forehead is painted matte black. A vertical black line (a sagittal scar) is visible there, flanked by small protrusions or circular raised studs serving as frontal scarifications. The eyes are set beneath heavy, domed eyelids. They are outlined by wide horizontal slits painted in glossy black, giving the eyes a narrowed, focused expression. The nose is straight, short, and a light natural wood color. A painted black band runs horizontally across the face just below the nose, serving as a chromatic boundary. The entire lower part of the face (the cheeks, mouth, and chin) is painted with a bright, matte red pigment. The red, full lips open to reveal an oval mouth. Inside, four small, pointed teeth made of embedded metal clips or nails are visible. The lower edge of the mask is richly adorned with a mass of dense, curly black plant or textile fibers (similar to curly wool). These fibers form hanging braids and a voluminous beard that frame the jawline. "Among the Guere and Wè people of Liberia and the Ivory Coast, individuals sponsor festivals that take place annually during the dry season, which lasts from November to February. These festivals feature dancing and performances focused on the figure of the gela. The term gela refers to the animated being comprised of face mask, costume, and the wearer beneath. Gela masks are given a variety of identities that, rather than describing their physical appearance, are linked to the powers associated with the mask persona. This gela mask is known as “The Ancient One,” suggesting that the style has persisted for multiple generations. Many people commonly refer to this type of mask as a “Guerre War Mask.” In the case of “The Ancient One,” features are taken to an extreme -- the mask seems to erupt in horns and tusks. Gela can use their power and strength for both destructive and beneficial ends. Older gela, for instance, are thought to be able to cause thunder and foul weather. Any gela, on the other hand, can be called upon to reconcile problems within a community. The feral aspect of the gela acts as a counterexample to humans, who are, by contrast, encouraged to embrace order and civilization. It is believed the gela can gather up the ill will and negative feelings plaguing a community and deposit them back into the forest, where the untamed forces of nature prevail. The forest plays a central role in the lives of the Guere and We people, whose villages are surrounded by the bush. Both peoples are known as healers for their skilled use of forest plants wit medicinal value. These same plants provide leaves that are pounded, mixed with water, and applied to the gela mask in a ritual of activation. The mask is thus invested with the spiritual power and vital energy of the forest." source: Primitive Living and Collecting-. Some of the information is generated by artificial intelligence and is based on published sources from the fields of ethnography, archaeology, and art history. Informant: Bakari MAZ16882