Tribal Art

Dan mask (N° 20476)

The African masks dan named zapkei ge are responsible for preventing fires by watching over domestic fires. They are worn accessorized with caps, braids, textile cape and raffia, the most prestigious of them being the go ge, royal mask reserved for exceptional events.
A beautiful mahogany brown patina distinguishes this ancient mask. The realistic face with its careful modeling bears checkered keloidal markings around the eyelids and highlight the ribbed forehead. The metal spikes at the outer corners of the eyes are noteworthy. Smooth patina.
For the Dan, or Yacouba, living in the west of the Ivory Coast and in Liberia, the "dü" force that animates the world manifests itself in the sculpted masks. It is in this way that it seeks to bring knowledge to man in order to give him support, and uses the channel of dreams beforehand. The spirits then indicate how to name the mask they wish to see made. These masks of different types are endowed with social, spiritual and political functions, often evolving with time. Acquired by Guy Mercier, consultant for the Solvay group. While radiating in West and Central Africa as part of his work, and collecting works in situ, the majority of his collection is however from "cabinets of curiosity" that abounded in European capitals during the 1920s. It also comes from prestigious galleries (Paris, Brussels, London, New York), but also from purchases from other collectors. Jean-Charles Mercier inherited the collection in its entirety and enriched it with new acquisitions over a period of twenty years. Litt. African Masks from the Barbier Mueller Collection" ed. Adam Biro