Anthropomorphic face mask "sagbwe" or "gunyege" · Côte d'Ivoire / Liberia, Dan-Yacouba · ID: 3047118
Kurt Wagner, Munich, Germany (before 1998)
Description
wood, metal, fur, rest. (rim zone)
This mask belongs to the complex of “sagbwe” masks, which are often also called “runner” or “fire watcher” masks.
This is due to the fact that the initiates go through a special training which includes competitive running contests and that during the dry season their main duty is to protect the village from fire.
They are mainly found in the northern Dan region, where they are called “zakpai”.
The object Anthropomorphic face mask “sagbwe” or “gunyege” with the object ID 3047118 was last part of the auction 95th Tribal Art Auction at October 24, 2020 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 156.
You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.
Comparing literature
Fagaly, William, Ancestors of Congo Square, New Orleans 2011, p. 101 f.
Publications
"Mua Mingo", Faszination Afrika, Kult- und Gebrauchsgegenstände des Schwarzen Kontinents, Privatsammlung Kurt Wagner, Congress Centrum Amberg, 25.7 - 30.8.1998 (cover)