Actor mask "bagle" · Ivory Coast, Dan/Kran · ID: 3032648
Richard Rüegg, Zurich, Switzerland
Description
wood, silver metal teeth, the lower half dyed with crusty blackish patina, the upper part with reddish brown paint, raised vertical forehead ridge, short tubular eyes, small metal peg on the forehead to fasten a head ornament, slightly dam., paint rubbed off in some areas;
this mask type is very common among the western Dan. The wig often consists of cotton fibers or frazzles of cloth, the costume is a tippet or a large skirt made of plant fibers. The mask appears for entertainment, the dancer beats the musicians with a stick and throws objects he finds on his way.
The object Actor mask “bagle” with the object ID 3032648 was last part of the auction 69th tribal art auction at June 2, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 184 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,500.
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Comparing literature
Barbier, Jean Paul (ed.), Art of Côte d' Ivoire, Vol II, Genf 1993, ill. 89