Wood, carved and with black patina
Ivory Coast, early 20th century
Guro and Dan people
Heddle pulley with triangular body, crowned by figural carved handle, below iron rod with thread spool (presumably added later), verso inscribed with old collection number 'B62'
Dan passport mask of oval shape with tapered chin, concave facial plane with prominent ridge on the forehead, crescent eyes, a semi-conical nose and protruding lips
Cf. Heddle Pulley with Figure, 19th-20th century, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number: 1980.560.2
Height of heddle pulley (incl. base): 21 cm
Dimensions of mask: 10 x 6 x 3.6 cm
Good condition, consistent with age
The heddle pulley is attached to the weaving loom holding a cord with two healds; Dan-masks are kept by initiated mask dancers as talisman and proof of their affiliation to a particular secret society

Literature:
Karl-Ferdinand Schädler, Weaving in Africa, South of the Sahara, Munich 1987, p. 222; Aldo Tagliaferri, Miniature Masks from West Africa, Mailand 1997, p. 25.

Condition:
Both pieces are in good condition, consistent with age and bearing usual signs of wear. The heddle pulley partially with slight surface abrasion, verso with small notch. The mounting of the base is loose. The Dan-mask partially rubbed. The height of the pulley including the base measures 21 cm, the mask measures 10 x 6 x 3.6 cm. (nlu)

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