Anthropomorphic mask "deangle"
Liberia, Dan or Mano
not available anymore
Provenance
Sebastian Fernandez, New York, USASize
H: 24 cm
H: 9.4 inch
Description
wood, blackish-brown patina, concave vaulted facial plane with a high bulging forehead and narrow slit eyes, tiny ears with drilled holes, slightly dam. (nose), cracks (forehead), abrasion of paint, small traces of insect caused damage, drilled holes around the rim broken out in parts, base;
the “dean” mask characters belong to the circumcision camps (“mbon”) of young boys and girls. They act as mediator between camp and village and they are responsible for food and protection of the initiates. They joke with the women and ask them to send plenty of food to the camp.