This is the rating and price for African Dan-Wobe Wood, Brass, & Hair Face Mask

Description : West Africa, Liberia or Ivory Coast, Dan peoples, ca. mid-20th century CE. An intriguing and highly-stylized face mask decorated with a profusion of ornaments. The face is hand-carved from hard wood, and is characterized by an enormous nose, large bulging eyes with narrow slit-form openings, a crested brow, and a group of brass, bead, and textile ornaments which hang just above two carved eye holes. The mouth has a prominent upper lip, curved similar to the nose, with an open mouth, large tongue, and brass teeth. Small nails and thin leather straps wrap around the chin. Attached at the sides are dozens of wooden spikes. Horse hair hangs from several parts of the face. A woven textile headdress is wrapped around the top and back of the head. Earthy pigment covers the wooden face. This is a striking example from Western Africa! Size: 13.25 W x 15.25 H (33.7 cm x 38.7 cm), 20 H (50.8 cm) on included custom stand. The Dan people, who occupy portions of Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire, produce masks for nearly every element of occasion of their society, including education, war, peace, and entertainment. Dan artisans, when crafting these masks, looked to the natural world for inspiration and would then go beyond that to create an abstract and stylized rendering. Such masks were created to connect the owner with a specific spirit that is believed to offer guidance and protection. In Mande, the Dan language, masks are referred to as gle or ge, which is also the term for the supernatural beings who live outside the village and who can inhabit such masks during ritual dances and celebrations, they were typically kept safe in sacred huts when not in use. Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, ex New York, USA private collection All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #147721
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Estimate (low-high) : 1200 USD-1800 USD It's free to register now to view!

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