Dance mask "dhi gla" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Grebo · ID: 3038537

Description

wood, blackish brown patina, encrusted in some areas, remains of polychrome painting, red fabric saturated with mass, typical for the We style: horn-like protuberances, narrow see slits, tubular cheek projections, animal ears and wide aquiline nose, slightly dam., missing parts (on both sides of the forehead), paint rubbed off, base;
the mask was crowned by a large headdress of wild bird feathers and the face was surrounded by an abundant fiber beard. An enormous fiber skirt covered the knees and the legs were wrapped in net leggings with rows of iron bells around the ankles. The mask type appeared on festivals which took place at funerals but also on more profane occasions.

Comparing literature

Barbier, Jean Paul (ed.), Art of Côte d' Ivoire, Vol II, Genève 1993, ill. 133 Homberger, Lorenz, Masken der Wè und Dan, Elfenbeinküste, Zürich 1997, p. 41