Mask "deangle"
Côte d'Ivoire, Dan
not available anymore
Provenance
Antoine Ferrari de la Salle, Abidjan, Ivory Coast (1970’s)German Private Collection
Size
H: 24,5 cm
H: 9.6 inch
Description
wood, brown patina, small remains of kaolin, typical form: concave vaulted face, forehead ridge and narrow slit eyes, drilled holes for attachment of a tube from fabric above the forehead, metal teeth missing, slightly dam., minor missing parts (nose, mouth, rim backside), abrasion of paint;
“deangle” literally means a “joking and smiling” mask character. The name implies that a friendly and beautiful appearance is described, destined to entertain the people. The “dean” mask characters belong to the circumcision camps (“mbon”) of young boys and girls, which are always situated in the holy forest nearby the village. They act as mediator between camp and village and they are responsible for food and protection of the initiates.
Publications
AHDRC: 0142247