**First Time At Auction**

West Africa, Ivory Coast / Liberia, Dan/Bassa, ca. early 20th century CE. This is a personal passport maskette that is carved from a lightweight wood and was created by the Dan peoples to serve as a protective talisman. The mask has a variety of characteristic features consistent with similar maskettes such as a high and flat forehead, upturned nose, protruding mouth, a low-carved hairline, squinting eyes, and a pointed chin. This example also features a vertically-delineated bar of incised tribal markings on the forehead. Such maskettes were created to connect the owner with a specific spirit that is believed to offer guidance and protection, and such maskettes were oftentimes sewn on fabric clothing and stored in a leather pouch that is worn and carried by their owners during travels. Custom museum-quality stand included. Size: 2" W x 3.4" H (5.1 cm x 8.6 cm); 5.5" H (14 cm) on stand.

Provenance: Ex Moore Denver, CO, USA collection, acquired 30 years ago

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#121963

Wonderfully-aged brown patina, slight wear to nose tip and lips, and surface wear commensurate with age.