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African Dan Complex tribal mask from Liberia and Cote

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:300.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
African Dan Complex tribal mask from Liberia and Cote
African Dan Complex tribal mask from Liberia and Cote D'Ivoire, ceremonial dance mask, or runner's mask, 19th Century. Masks among the Dan people functioned on many different levels. They would entertain, teach correct behavior, and even serve as judicial agents during disputes and criminal sentencing. It is believed that when worn, the spirit that inhabits the mask would overcome the performer; therefore the actions would be that of the spirit. Because Dan masking is particularly complex, it is almost entirely unknown what functions each mask performed when they are removed from their originally setting. Provenance: Private collection collected between 1910 and 1930. (Size: See second photo for measurement.) Photos are part of the description representing the condition report. Pangaea Auctions urges Bidder's to view all attached photos.