Dan Deangle mask

Traditional mask coated with an almost black pigment as is often the case on traditional Dan masks. Also typical features, the rounded forehead showing a midline. Here, the eyes are gaping circular holes representing the keen eyesight of the wearer.
The nose is thin with flared nostrils and the mouth is slightly open with full lips. The series of perforations around the perimeter were used to fix the rope cap hiding the wearer.

There is a great variety of masks in African Dan art with different names and roles. It is not always easy to tell them apart, especially when regional specificities come into play. Nonetheless, the hierarchy of the Dan spirit world is represented by a number of important and highly charged masks. Dan masks bear the generic name of Gle.
The Dean'gle, represented by this mask, is gentle, peaceful, and feminine, although considered genderless. The opposite is the Bu’gle, who is warrior and masculine, although, again, he is seen to be genderless. The Dean'gle represents the ideal form of beauty as envisioned by the Dan in whose body of art the power of the lines is very marked, which generally delights collectors who are fond of sculptural purity in the first art. The function of the Deangle mask here was to feed, teach and entertain the children.

The support is included.

This piece is part of an important Belgian collection of Dan, Bassa and other subgroups masks.