Description : DAN MASK, CÔTE D’IVOIRE
takangle or deangle
height 11in (28cm)
Provenance:
Jean-Paul Delcourt, Abidjan
Swiss Private Collection, acquired in the 1950s
Thence by descent
‘Masks with delicate female features,
narrow eyes, and a band over the forehead
decorated with cowrie shells, serve a variety
of purposes. First, and foremost, they are
danced for entertainment. Known in this case
as takangle, the masqueraders frequently
specialize in singing. In their function as
singer masks (glo sö) they support the “great
mask” (go ge) and give expression to the
authority of the influential Go society. Great
masks act as judges and justices of the
peace. On the other hand, this type of mask
is also associated with the circumcision
camps for adolescent boys. Called deangle,
or guard masks, they serve as mediators
between the camp and the village.’ (Hahner,
Iris, et. al., African Masks - The Barbier-
Mueller Collection, Prestel, 2007, fig. 33)
Finely carved in dense wood with a carefully
hollowed interior and pierced around the
edges for attachment of the fiber band
accented with cowrie shells and beads, the
elliptical face slightly curved with the lower
half angling slightly out, a raised vertical line
separates the forehead and extends down
the triangular nose, the protuberant open
mouth inset on the upper lip with two metal
teeth, fine, encrusted light brown patina with
wear indicative of age and much cultural use.
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