African Arts Gallery

Dan mask (N° 21655)

Unlike the African masks of the Dan of the northern region with a smooth patina, the southern masks offer a grainy surface, such as this example with a majestic headdress. br>Two types of secondary masks are particularly theatrical: racing masks, gunye ge , intended for inter-clan competitions that required good vision, and fire-keeper masks, zapkei ge . Other royal masks ,the go ge , used only on special occasions, have an identical physiognomy and are adorned with a sumptuous headdress lined with cowries, textiles, and sometimes feathers.
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