Small head sculpture ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Dan · ID: 3037849

Description

wood, dark brown patina, remains of pigments, elongated neck surmounted by an oval head with high pointed headgear with decoration nails, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion, base;
such heads are thought to act as guardian or protective spirits, similar in function to the miniature “ma” masks. They are also said to be greatly feared objects which, when used by judges, guarantee that order will be kept and truth will be spoken.

The object Small head sculpture with the object ID 3037849 was last part of the auction 78th tribal art auction at October 18, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 226.

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Comparing literature

Johnson, Barbara C., Four Dan Sculptors, San Francisco 1987, p. 22