Anthropomorphic mask "deangle" or "tankagle" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Dan · ID: 3047962

Description

wood, metal, human hair, plant fibre, filling material, base

This mask captivates with the expressiveness of its facial features,
which are almost exaggerated in their manner.

The pierced sickle-shaped eyes are surmounted by round bulging eyelids, which are adorned with concentric grooves. The mouth is large, the lips flattened into a diamond shape. The cheekbones are particularly accentuated.

Two other masks showing these features, and thus possibly attributable to the same artist, published in AHDRC 0066958 and 0066962. Both masks were first published in 1977.

Present mask can be attributed as “deangle” or “tankagle” mask type. “Deangle” masks belong to the circumcision camps (“mbon”) of young boys and girls. “Tankagle” means pantomimic dancing mask figure and exclusively performs for entertainment.