Dan or Mano Artist

Feminine-Style Mask, Côte D'Ivoire/Liberia

deangle

Presumed period: Late 19th/early 20th century

Wood, black grainy patina, teeth from an African Palm Civet (Nandinia binotata)

Height 9 7/8 inches (25.1cm)

Provenance

Merton D. Simpson (1928-2013), New York

Private Collection, acquired from the above circa 1970s – 1980s

Sotheby’s, New York, 16 May 2013, lot 85

Private Collection, acquired at the above sale

This refined mask is carved in hard wood with delicate female features and pierced around the edges with round holes, the top with a second row. The artist, clearly a master, has created a beautifully balanced design with the vertical ridge on the forehead perfectly centered, level slit eyes, slightly raised cheekbones, a naturalistic nose and protruding mouth with full lips, the upper having a clearly defined philtrum and two African palm civet teeth inserted. Naturalistic ears, seldom represented in Dan masks, border the sides. The exceptional patina is black and grainy.