Beaked mask "gägon" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Dan · ID: 3035240

Description

wood, shiny patina, black and red paint, the facial plane framed by incised lines, nails and remains of a beard in the beak area, pierced around the rim, min. dam., traces of insect caused damage, small missing parts, slight traces of abrasion;
the mask was completed by a high tapering cylindrical helmet with feathers, a skirt of grass fibres and blue-white cloth wrapped around the upper part of the body. According to Hans Himmelheber this mask type surely had educational purposes in former times but nowadays it is only used for entertainment of the village people.