Dan Gunyege mask
€230.00
Dan Round-Eyed Mask, Gunyege Type – Côte d’Ivoire / Liberia
This expressive Dan wooden mask is characterized by a powerful oval face, two large circular eye openings, a strongly projecting nose and an open mouth with thick lips and a visible tongue. Small traces of red pigment remain around the lower face, enlivening the dark, irregular surface.
The wide circular eyes relate the mask stylistically to the Gunyege group, often described as “runner masks.” The Metropolitan Museum specifically associates circular eye openings with Gunyege masks used in running competitions. The Smithsonian nevertheless stresses that Dan masks could assume different roles over time, meaning that a precise functional identification should remain cautious when the original performance context is undocumented.
Among the Dan of Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire, masks are generally known as gle or ga and are understood as manifestations of spirit forces called du. Their identity therefore depended not only on sculptural appearance, but also on costume, performer and the circumstances in which the mask appeared.
Numerous small holes around the perimeter were intended to secure additional costume elements such as textile, fiber or a headdress. Comparable round-eyed Dan masks in museum collections retain similar attachment systems.
The strength of this example lies in its direct visual language: the empty circular eyes, projecting features and open mouth create an unusually compelling expression, reinforced by the textured surface and surviving traces of color.
02707
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Mid XXth century
- Size
- 22 cm (35 cm with support)
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection France
- Stand
- Included
- Condition
- Vintage
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Dan Round-Eyed Mask, Gunyege Type – Côte d’Ivoire / Liberia
This expressive Dan wooden mask is characterized by a powerful oval face, two large circular eye openings, a strongly projecting nose and an open mouth with thick lips and a visible tongue. Small traces of red pigment remain around the lower face, enlivening the dark, irregular surface.
The wide circular eyes relate the mask stylistically to the Gunyege group, often described as “runner masks.” The Metropolitan Museum specifically associates circular eye openings with Gunyege masks used in running competitions. The Smithsonian nevertheless stresses that Dan masks could assume different roles over time, meaning that a precise functional identification should remain cautious when the original performance context is undocumented.
Among the Dan of Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire, masks are generally known as gle or ga and are understood as manifestations of spirit forces called du. Their identity therefore depended not only on sculptural appearance, but also on costume, performer and the circumstances in which the mask appeared.
Numerous small holes around the perimeter were intended to secure additional costume elements such as textile, fiber or a headdress. Comparable round-eyed Dan masks in museum collections retain similar attachment systems.
The strength of this example lies in its direct visual language: the empty circular eyes, projecting features and open mouth create an unusually compelling expression, reinforced by the textured surface and surviving traces of color.