Dan Mask

Refined Dan mask of masterful execution, revealing the full subtlety and sculptural power characteristic of the art of Côte d’Ivoire.
The domed forehead, arched brows, delicately elongated eyes subtly emphasized in relief, broad nasal ridge, prominent cheekbones, and slightly parted full lips form a face of perfect harmony.

The eye contours retain fine traces of kaolin and ancient polychromy—a particularly rare feature, as such elements were often removed through washing to satisfy European taste.
This high-quality work stands out for its deeply sculptural presence, in which each plane of the face appears animated by an inner tension.

The deep, lustrous brown patina, enriched over time through ritual handling, gives the piece a striking and spiritual presence.
Through the finesse of its execution, the rare preservation of its polychromy, and its singular sculptural force, this mask stands as a remarkable example within the Dan corpus, imbued with dignity, spirituality, and timeless elegance.

Date
Mid-20th century

Provenance
Spanish private collection, Galerie David Serra, Barcelona.
Belgian private collection, collection Jonas de Boeck.

Dimensions
24 cm (9.4 in), excluding base.

Condition
Museum condition.

Bibliography
Alain-Michel Boyer, Patrick Girard, Marceau Rivière, Arts Premiers de Côte d'Ivoire, Sepia, 1997.
Masques, Musée Dapper, Paris, 1995.
L’Autre Visage, Masques Africains de la Collection Barbier-Mueller, Adam Biro, Germany, 1997.
Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, L’Art Africain, Mazenod, France, 1988.