Mask "deangle" or "tankagle" · Liberia, Dan · ID: 3041326
Rheims-Laurin, Paris, 2 March 1970, cover, lot 39
Description
wood, brown patina, remains of kaolin and red pigment, metal teeth, cord, concave vaulted facial plane with vertical forehead ridge and narrow see slits, framed by massive tube from fabric embroidered with nassa snails and colourful strings of glass beads in four rows, various magical appendages (chicken feet, special pieces of wood), lower lip over/modelled with blackish mass, slightly dam., abrasion of paint, some cowrie shells missing;
when masks once have left their place of origin, their original function can not clearly be determined. 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.