Lot: 113

84th Tribal Art Auction

Anthropomorphic mask "deangle"

Liberia, Dan or Mano

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
Sebastian Fernandez, New York, USA H: 9.4 inch This object is not available anymore.

wood, blackish-brown patina, concave vaulted facial plane with a high bulging forehead and narrow slit eyes, tiny ears with drilled holes, slightly dam. (nose), cracks (forehead), abrasion of paint, small traces of insect caused damage, drilled holes around the rim broken out in parts, base;
the "dean" mask characters belong to the circumcision camps ("mbon") of young boys and girls. They act as mediator between camp and village and they are responsible for food and protection of the initiates. They joke with the women and ask them to send plenty of food to the camp.