Collection African art from Belgium. African mask Dan from the Ivory Coast "with round hollowed out eyes, known as a "gunyéya" or "gunye ge" used for racing events during the dry season. This specimen would also be a zapkei ge, responsible for preventing fires by watching over domestic fires, a tiny fragment of red textile indicating that the eyes were originally stretched with textile. Elegant metal base enhancing a finely carved antique piece. Height on base: 35 cm. It is following dreams in which the spirits would manifest themselves that the masks were sculpted according to precise indications in order to be honored through their appearances. The Dan also carve, always according to the indications of the diviner, miniature masks on the model of the large masks. They are worn as amulets by children. The Dan masks, of varied workmanship, are generally performed during very theatrical entertainment festivals where women play a predominant role. The mask known as "mocking" called Déanglé defines an ideal of beauty and benevolence because it is sculpted in honor of the young girls of the village or of renowned men. Each mask had a name linked to its function. Also used during circumcision rites, they appear in the company of singing masks gle sö and large masks go ge relating to the go society, which exercises justice and maintains social stability.
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