African Tribal Art: Dan People, Liberia: Mask in the form of the abstracted face of a bird, whose open beak is lined with teeth. Carved wood with an overall dark stained patina, with lighter teeth, eyes and incised lines on the upper beak defined by kaolin clay pigment. The periphery of the mask is incised with holes for costume attachment. A bent nail (reportedly used for hanging the mask during storage) is at the crown of the head. Late 19th/early 20th century.

In Dan society, forest spirits are translated into the forms of human face masks. The masks send a dream to male performers, instructing them on how to dance it.

Performances of Dan masks may span the careers of many generations of wearers, contributing to their increasingly sacred status.

13H x 6.25W x 7.5D (inches).

Private Collection, Massachusetts, Private Collection, New York

Good condition with smooth patina and scuffs consistent with handling. The back rim is smoothed, the attachment holes are worn and some are broken from use.

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