Dan mask Duperrier 

of overall refined proportions and hollowed oval form, the pointed chin and small ears, the full, protruding lips with open, red pigmented camwood mouth, the finelly carved nose framed by delicate cheekbones and slit eyes and the sensitive brows beneath the sloped forehead pierced for the attachment of the braided diadem of hair leading to tendrils on either side, the coiffure is complete and finelly breaded; exceptionally fine aged and varied deep brown and encrusted surface.

PROVENANCE

Christies, Paris, June 2003

LITERATURE AND REFERENCES

Lehuard 1978: 22
Robbins and Nooter 1989: 160, figure 298 ( a quite similar one from the William Brill collection, probably made by the same sculptor)

A very fine Dan mask coming from the Duperrier collection Paris. 

It was in my private collection since 2003, and is the finest mask in my collection

PLEASE  DO NOT BUY this mask because I  am not in a hurry to sell it . It gives me so much pleasure. 

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Information ref nr: Duperrier Dan mask 03.00.05.20.06

My advertising in Tribal autumn'03 edition with the mask. 

The finely weaved fibers rom the headdress is typical from the older XIXth century samples of Dan masks. 

measurements note: height 9 in. 23 cm

CATALOGUE NOTE

The Duperrier mask is an exceptional example of the known style of the Tankangle.

Tankangle is an entertainment masquerade in which the character appears in front of the spectators with an orchestra or chorus, or sometimes with a single attendant. 

The Duperrier mask unifies all the characteristics that the Dan connect with the ideal female beauty, i.e. slit eyes, delicate jawline, small ears and finely plaited hair. The crescent slit-eyes together with the tenderly defined cheekbones and the full lips are of exceptionally fine quality and suggest that this mask is the work of a master carver. 

For related masks see Fischer and Himmelheber (1984: 27, figure 22) and Sotheby's New York, May 25, 1999, lot 224, and lot 33 of the Brill auction at Sothebys.

MORE IMAGES

Tell me if you want to add this fine Dan mask to your collection.  The non-discountable price is 

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