Anthropomorphic bird mask "geayagle" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Diomande · ID: 3033954

Description

wood, encrusted brown patina, carved with a strong beak and forehead crest, decorated with metal sheet, nails and rings, collection number “D 56” on the reverse side, pierced around the rim, min. dam., minor missing parts, slight traces of abrasion;
the Diomande are a small ethnical group of the Dan cluster, belonging to the Konyanke, with their settling area in northwestern Côte d’ Ivoire and adjacent areas of Guinea. Masks of the Diomande have been erroneously attributed to the Dan. They are characterized by their elongated faces and linear skin scarification marks which frame the whole face.
Present mask probably 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.

Comparing literature

Einstein, Carl, Negerplastik, München 1920, ill. 31