Dan Kran Mask From Liberia And Ivory Coast

Dan Kran mask, from the Krou group in the southwestern part of the Ivory Coast, near the border with Liberia. A mask with a remarkable, highly cubist design and very exaggerated features, with a very prominent nose and mouth, triangular eyes; note the ritual nails set at the top—this consecration nail is often found on Dan masks—and the very irregular, worn attachment holes.  Superb patina of age and use; likely from the late 19th or very early 20th century.
Height: 33 cm, not including the beautiful custom-made base.
This is a mask of celebration and protection, rare in this quality and age!

The glare in the photos is due to the powerful lighting used to show the items as clearly as possible; the objects are slightly darker in reality.
From a very fine collection assembled by expatriates who lived in Africa in the 1950s and 1960s and later passed down through inheritance, and while this isn’t always the case, these cultured individuals took the time to carefully select their pieces on-site; they are all superb and antique, and I have several for sale.
Feel free to contact me to request information or negotiate—it’s part of my job, and I’m happy to do it!