Anthropomorphic bird mask "geayagle" with movable jaw · Côte d'Ivoire, Dan · ID: 3041237
Alex Wittendorff, Copenhagen, Denmark
Description
wood, blackish brown patina, encrusted in some areas, plant fibre cord, with large curved beak and two rows of jagged teeth, beautiful detail: carved nostrils, slightly dam. (forehead), cracks, abrasion of paint;
present mask falls into the category of “kagle” mask figures and is performed for entertainment. She got her name from a friendly bird, whose appearance is considered a good omen and whose call promises happiness to the people. Therefore the man who wears the mask should be a particular good dancer or singer, and should bless the audience and the organizer of the celebration.
The object Anthropomorphic bird mask “geayagle” with movable jaw with the object ID 3041237 was last part of the auction 84th Tribal Art Auction at November 5, 2016 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 89 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,600.
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Comparing literature
Fischer, Eberhard, Himmelheber, Hans, Die Kunst der Dan, Zürich 1976, p. 114 f.