Zemanek-Münster

Beak mask "ge gon" ("gägon") ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Dan · ID: 3048498

sold EUR 3,000
Provenance
Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde, Leiden, The Netherlands (Inv.no. B.216-18.)
Henk Buttner, The Netherlands
Piet Lepelaar, Leiden, The Netherlands
Size
H: 20,5 cm
H: 8.1 inch

Description

wood, metal, base

In earlier times this masked figure was supposed to teach the villagers about the significance of the hornbill, which is believed to have been the first being once created by “Zla”, the creator god of the Dan.

In the course of time, “ge gon” became a pure entertainment mask that captivates with its bird-like movements during performances.


The object Beak mask “ge gon” (“gägon”) with the object ID 3048498 was part of the auction 97th Auction on November 6, 2021. The object with the lot number 109 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,000 with an asking price of EUR 2,500.

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.


Publications

AHDRC: 0183366


Exhibition

Leiden, Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde, 1980-1995


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