Very fine and quite interesting wooden mask from the We (Dan) peoples of Cote D\'Ivoire west Africa. *PUBLISHED: Arts premiers de Côte d\'Ivoire: Collections privées by Apollinaire Ocrisse, with forwards by The Museum of African Art , Ivory Coast. The mask is featured in a full page photo. The brass bells on this We mask, together with the slit eyes which designate the mask as female, suggest it is either a “singer” or a griot (“poet and musician”) mask. The more important the spirit mask, the more elaborate the crowning and framing of the “face” with natural and fabricated materials. Such masks are sacred keepers of We history and cultural traditions. Each “singer” masquerade has a “life history.” Passed down from one generation to another within a family lineage, a “singer” builds its language skills and repertory of texts as it increases in age, reputation, and sanctity. Very old “singer” masks are venerated as the “mothers” of younger “singer” masks.A Carved wooden mask with a classic style, exaggerated facial features. The Mask features linear designs accented with metal tacks along with red kaolin clay pigments accenting the eyes and brow and face. A Cowrie shell crown adorns the forehead and a collar of bronze bells.The mask shows good handling and wear, well worn regalia attachment holes and various stains on the interior suggesting actual field use and wear.The mask measures 14 x 11 inches. ( 20 inches tall on professional custom metal display stand.)

Good/fair