African

Ancient Mediterranean

Asian

European and American

Art since 1900

African Art

Masks and masked performance are the dominant art form of the Dan people. Forest spirits play an important role in Dan religion; an adult male who has been inspired by a spirit through a dream may commission a mask, and the mask becomes the embodiment of the spirit. Through performance, which can take many forms, a mask can accumulate power and rise in status over time, moving from entertainment to political and judicial roles. As this happens additions may be made to the original mask, like the buttons, bells and nose ornaments on the other mask in this case.

This is the commonest form of Dan mask, a déanglé or "smiling mask." Although worn by men, these are female masks, and the calm expression and smooth graceful carving present an ideal of female beauty.

We assume that the mask was made for use, but it shows little sign of wear, suggesting that it was used only a short time, if at all, before being sold to a non-African owner. We know that in 1932 it was owned by Burton Emmett, a New York collector of prints and contemporary American art.