Anthropomorphic bird mask "geayagle"
Côte d'Ivoire, Dan
sold
EUR 500
Provenance
Harald & Ursula Suhr, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada / Germany (1978, acquired in Abidjan, Ivory Coast )Size
H: 31 cm
H: 12.2 inch
Description
wood, blackish brown patina, remains of yellowed kaolin, nails, carved with a strong beak, chaplet, forehead and cheek tattoos, cutting in the middle of the beak, washing patina, rep. (underside of the beak), crack at the same place;
present mask belongs to the big group of “kagle” mask figures and performs for entertainment. She got her name from a friendly bird, which is said to bring good luck to the people by hearing or seeing him. Therfore the man who wears the mask should be a particular good dancer or singer, and should bless the audience and the organiser of the celebration.