This Dan Guere mask features a dramatic face surrounded with wooden spikes and and metal teeth. The mask measures 15 inches tall and weighs 4 pounds. This piece would make a wonderful addition to any collection.
| Type of Object | Face Mask |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Ivory Coast |
| Ethnicity | Dan Guere |
| Material | Wood, pigment, fiber, cloth, metal |
| Approximate Age | Unknown |
| Height (Inches) | 15" |
| Width (Inches) | 14" |
| Depth (Inches) | 6" |
| Weight (Pounds) | 4 lbs |
| Overall Condition | Some imperfections and wear and tear. See photos or inquire for more information. |
Tribe Information
About the Dan 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.”
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Additional Information
About the Mask
“Dan masks are characterized by a concave face, a pointed chin, a protruding mouth, an upturned nose, a high-domed forehead, and are often covered in a rich brown patina. Similar masks are found throughout the country, but regional stylistic variations occur. For example, northern face masks tend to have very fine features, a high-domed smooth forehead, eyes set in the middle of the face and a very smooth brown patina obtained by immersing the masks in a pool of mud. Southern masks, on the other hand, have protruding features and a rougher patina obtained by applying vegetal pigments.”
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