Information
h 32 cm
Dance mask with a moveable jaw.
Wood with a dark glaze, vegetable fibres, a strip of cloth on the forehead, spikes, residue of monkey skin, indigenous canvas. There is a sequence of holes around the edge, which are the signs of prolonged use, old fractures. Provided without platform.
Masks produced for tribal dances for the Dan and Kran people. They are famous and well-sought after by African art collectors.This model depicts the face of a primate, which could perhaps be a chimpanzee, in a stylised manner. It is produced with sharp-edged volumes which alternate – a concept that we would now call “cubist”.The forehead sticks out in front, its eyes are circular cracks, and at the base of the nose two thick cylinders protrude, which is a representation designed to invoke fear.The arch-shaped cheekbones enclosed a face where the large mouth, with a moveable jaw, highlight this typical marked feature of primates. Its ears are missing. The profile of the mask presents a series of small holes which were used to attach it to a fibre cloak, the whereabouts of which are unknown, which completely covered the dancer. Monkey skin still covers the lower lip.
Dance mask with a moveable jaw.
Wood with a dark glaze, vegetable fibres, a strip of cloth on the forehead, spikes, residue of monkey skin, indigenous canvas. There is a sequence of holes around the edge, which are the signs of prolonged use, old fractures. Provided without platform.
Masks produced for tribal dances for the Dan and Kran people. They are famous and well-sought after by African art collectors.This model depicts the face of a primate, which could perhaps be a chimpanzee, in a stylised manner. It is produced with sharp-edged volumes which alternate – a concept that we would now call “cubist”.The forehead sticks out in front, its eyes are circular cracks, and at the base of the nose two thick cylinders protrude, which is a representation designed to invoke fear.The arch-shaped cheekbones enclosed a face where the large mouth, with a moveable jaw, highlight this typical marked feature of primates. Its ears are missing. The profile of the mask presents a series of small holes which were used to attach it to a fibre cloak, the whereabouts of which are unknown, which completely covered the dancer. Monkey skin still covers the lower lip.
Provenance
Galleria Paolo Morigi, Lugano (Collected in Liberia between 1956-57 around 20-25km from the villages around Tchein;
Collection of Walter Schwab, Bern (inv. WS 156) (1977)
Collection of Walter Schwab, Bern (inv. WS 156) (1977)
Literature
FISCHER EBERARD & HIMMELHEBER HANS, Die Kunst der Dan, Rietberg Museum Zurigo,1976, (64);
Specialist Notes
Lot not located at Finarte offices but in Switzerland. It could be subject to customs costs related to the importation into the buyer’s country. In any event, any customs cost and/or burden related to importation shall be borne by the buyer. For more information, please write an email to arteafricana@finarte.it;
In their work published in 1976 after lengthy research, Eberard Fischer and Hans Himmelheber describe how these masks were used for ritual ceremonies, celebratory dances, youth initiations and village festivities etc.Condition report
To request a Condition Report, please contact arteafricana@finarte.it
The department will provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that what Finarte declares with respect to the state of conservation of the objects corresponds only to a qualified opinion and that we are not professional conservators or restorers.
We urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. We always suggest prospective buyers to inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition during the exhibition days as indicated in the catalog.