West Africa, Ivory Coast and Liberia, Dan peoples, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A fantastic wooden bird mask known as a ge gon displaying a huge, curved beak and hooded eyes, all surmounted by a top crest. The individual wearer of this mask would give up his or her identity and assume the identity of the mask's spirit, in this case that of a bird. The wearer then transmitted the message of the spirit to the village verbally or through dances. Masks played central roles in the lives of the Dan people and were prominent in all aspects of society. They addressed two spheres: the realm of everyday life, consisting of daily activities, domestic animals, and tools; and the realm of the forest, consisting of raw materials, wild animals, and spirits. In the realm of the forest, danger lurked everywhere, and many rituals and traditions were created to protect people. This mask could have been used in either realm. Size: 4.5" L x 8" W x 19" H (11.4 cm x 20.3 cm x 48.3 cm); 20" H (50.8 cm) on included custom stand.

This piece was purportedly exhibited at the University of South Dakota Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts as part of the African Art Exhibition in 1992.

Provenance: private Littleton, Colorado, USA collection; ex-John R. Anderson, Yankton, South Dakota, USA collection

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#186852

Small area of loss near bottom and some stable fissures and splitting to wood as well as chips and areas of old inactive insect holes. Nicks and abrasions to surface. Rich patina throughout.