A very finely carved wooden mask with zoomorphic features, well weathered surface and reddish mineral pigments still evident. According the the website IMO DARA , All spirit masks are described as ge by the northern Dan and as gle or glö by the southern & western Dan (meaning ‘mysterious being’). These masquerade spirits wish to help men and to advise them, revealing their desire through dreams. The masquerade does not merely represent a spirit, it IS that spirit. Prevalent amongst the Northern Dan, the gägon (also called ge gon) mask is today worn to entertain the village accompanied by drummers and singers. It is believed that the gägon masquerade was once responsible for singing songs and proverbs to teach the villagers about the importance of the hornbill (the bird represented by gägon, believed to be the first being created by Zla, the creator god of the Dan. The mask measures 9 x 5.5 inches. A simple black display stand can also be included for an additional $50.00 Provenance: Lavina Tackberry collection, Eye On Design Gallery 1993, Ill.

Fair, heavily eroded