DAN CHIEF's DANCING MASK (IVORY COAST, AFRICA) - SUPERB

UNIQUE AFRICAN  MASK - 'DAN' CHIEF's DANCING MASK (IVORY COAST) - SAID TO HAVE BEEN WORN BY A CHIEF IN TRIBAL FESTIVALS!!!!

A rare opportunity to own an unusual DAN MASK from the Ivory Coast. This mask has been purchased by FAIRTRADEGHANA from a collector in Ghana who is selling off some of his collection.

The DAN tribe traditionally live in the Ivory Coast and Liberia, which are adjacent to Ghana in West Africa, and there are strong historic links with tribes in Ghana. They traditionally danced often during festivals and ceremonies.

This MASK is reputed to have been worn by an actual DAN chief during tribal festivities in Cote d'Ivoire. It is called a 'Dancing Mask', and when the chief wore it, other tribesmen would perform a dance around him. Only the chief was supposed to wear such a mask. 

There is a wooden central mask, with a burlap cloth surround. The mask is wearing a 'crown' decorated with cowrie shells. The mask is in good condition but has some wear and minor drying cracks etc. We do not know the actual age of this mask, but it is reputed to have been used on several occasions.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about it, or if you have further information about it.

WOODEN MASK - Approximately 13 inches (33cm) tall by 11inches (28cm) at widest point , and weighs around 5lbs (2kg+).