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.
Publications
AHDRC: 0183366
Exhibition
Leiden, Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde, 1980-1995