Need help with mask carving

Discussion in 'Tribal Art' started by Crim000, May 18, 2020.

  1. Crim000

    Crim000 Active Member

    If anyone can help with this small little mask it is appreciated. Carved from a light wood and seems to resemble a bird man figure 079B7EFC-BCA3-48DB-8ADB-A5138BC622B5.jpeg 21E8A8F5-4D05-41C8-97F1-3156BDC3DC1D.jpeg 0E9473A6-F768-40EF-8EE1-283CC0C544CB.jpeg 59617795-9AED-4AE0-A0FD-94092AD0C1D4.jpeg AD336402-D9E3-4360-8E3D-E5E395BD56D6.jpeg
     
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  2. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    african?
    maybe songay or seufo....?
     
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  3. laura9797

    laura9797 Well-Known Member

  4. Taupou

    Taupou Well-Known Member

    Yes, Dan mask, Ivory Coast.
     
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  5. Crim000

    Crim000 Active Member

    Thanks for the comments any guess on age or information???
     
  6. Taupou

    Taupou Well-Known Member

    (Sorry, but I had to stop to take an important phone call, that came just as I began writing.)

    I should have mentioned that, since the Dan tribe is located on both sides of the border between the Ivory Coast and Liberia, it could have been made in either country.

    The size, which appears to be too small to actually be worn as a dance mask, plus the lack of any holes used to attach it, indicates it is a "passport mask," or at least a passport-style mask.

    Passport masks were small versions of actual masks, but designed to be carried on the person, rather than displayed in a public dance. They were personal charms and protective spirits. Several neighboring tribes in western Africa made them. And today they are produced as souvenir items.

    It's difficult to tell the age from the photos, or the authenticity, that is, whether it was made for personal use, or as an item to be sold.
     
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  7. Crim000

    Crim000 Active Member

    Thank you for your help @Taupou
     
  8. J Dagger

    J Dagger Well-Known Member

    Looks relatively new to me. I’ve been looking at African carved masks and art a lot lately. It doesn’t look older than second half of 20thc to me and more likely last third. I’m no where’s close to an expert though. Doesn’t look like any signs of much age. Agree Dan passport mask.
     
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