African Arts Gallery

Among the diversity of African dan masks, this version with a curved beak belongs to the category of gagon masks. A beard of vegetable fibers embellished with metal bells skirts his face. This mask occurs during important festivals in the north of the Dan region. Height on base: 46 cm.
Semi-matte black patina.
Renowned in African art, the Yacouba , also called Dan , settled in the west of Côte d'Ivoire but also in Liberia. Their masks, of varied craftsmanship, generally occur during very theatrical entertainment parties where women play a leading role. The so-called "mocking" mask called Déanglé defines an ideal of beauty and benevolence because it is sculpted in honor of the young girls of the village or famous men. Also used during circumcision rites, they appear in the company of the gle sö singing masks and the large go ge masks relating to the go society, who exercises justice and maintains social stability.