Description:

West Africa, Liberia/Ivory Coast, Dan people, ca. late 19th to mid-20th century CE. A collection of three hand-carved wooden maskettes: two are slightly smaller than adult face sizes, and one is miniature with elongated ends. The eyes of two are highlighted with white kaolin pigment, and the smallest maskette blends zoomorphic and anthropomorphic features, depicting a human-like face with a crest on top and a bird-like beak below the chin. Whether or not these were worn, miniatures and copies of masks were created as spiritual connections to full-sized ceremonial dance masks. Small ones were often kept close to their owner, worn on the body or stored nearby - believed to hold the same protective and guiding powers as their larger counterparts. These maskettes also played a role in male society initiation ceremonies and were carried during travel for protection and as a symbol of cultural identity, hence the term "passport mask." Size of largest: 7" L x 4.5" W (17.8 cm x 11.4 cm)

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, squinted eye mask acquired from a private French collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

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#190203

  • Condition: Old abrasions and chips to all three. Old inactive insect bore holes on the smallest mask. Nice patina throughout.

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November 22, 2024 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000