Dan mask from Côte d'Ivoire. Part of over 50 years. Delivered on base.

The Dan are a subtribue belonging to the Dan-Nuere. They live in eastern Liberia, Guinea Conakry and Côte d'Ivoire. The social and spiritual basis of the Dan-Nuere is the secret society Poro, which means in the Temmé language "Sierra". The Dan-Nguere masks are characterized as much by their varieties, as by the fact that a kind of mask can be used in different areas for different purposes. The female dan masks are known by the importance they attribute to the beauty of the face: oval shape, slightly prominent forehead, torn eyes, fine nose and ajar mouth. They enhance the finesse of its lines with a brilliant patina introduced into wood, using plant substances. When they dry, they take a soft color, which with use looks like the lacquer. The function of these masks is to adjust the disagreements and protect the new born. Dan generally make replicas of these masks, which they call "my", to venerate them and as protection against diseases. They remain hidden and serve as proof of belonging to the company Poro, converting into almost sacred objects, honoring them with offerings of rice and palm oil, and sacrifices in full moon periods. The face of dan male masks is more realistic, and sometimes with details of animals. He has vital strength, called "du", sent by Zlan the creator to men and animals. There are many "du", and they tell people in dreams how they want to be represented. Sometimes they want a fetish, or a tree to be planted, but they can also ask for a mask to reside. Then, the mind materializes and turns into a "gle", and it can intervene directly in the life of the community. Each "Gle" has its function, and chairs the different social events. They are also present in moments of danger, or distraction. This is why there is a wide variety of Dan masks.