Dan Kran African Bird Mask 12″ – Ivory Coast

$147.50

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This mask was carved in the style of the Dan Kran people of Ivory Coast. The mask features a bird-like face with a large open beak mouth. The head has been decorated with cowrie shells. The mask measures 12 inches tall and weighs 2 pounds. It’s in good condition with minor scrapes, scuffs and fraying. This mask does not come with a stand.

Type of Object

Face Mask

Country of Origin

Ivory Coast

Ethnicity

Dan Kran

Animal

Material

wood, pigment, cowrie shells, fabric, leather

Approximate Age

Unknown

Height (Inches)

12"

Width (Inches)

9.5"

Depth (Inches)

5.5"

Weight (Pounds)

2 lbs

Overall Condition

Some cracking, scuffing and general wear and tear throughout.

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Tribe Information

About the Dan Kran People

“Dan people, who are also known by the name Yacuba, live in the western part of the Ivory Coast and into Liberia where the land is forested in the south and bordered by a savannah in the north. The 320,000 Dan people make their living from farming cocoa, rice and manioc. Before unifying secret societies were set up at the turn of the century, each Dan village was an autonomous socio-political unit governed by a chief elected on the base of his wealth and social position. Today, the leopard society acts as a major regulator of Dan life and initiates young men during their isolated periods of three to four months in the forest. Dan people have achieved notoriety in the area for their entertainment festivals which were historically village ceremonies, but are today performed largely for tourists. During these festivals, masked performers dance on stilts.”
“Dan Kran people inhabit the southern part of the Dan territory and have powerful carved masks with geometric triangular features.”

Source:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.

About the Dan People

The Dan are known for their superb woodwork. Masks are the single most paramount form of artwork created by the Dan, creating a bridge between the supernatural and physical worlds.
Read more about the Dan here.