Tribal Art

Ex-collection of African tribal art from Belgium.
A face with metal-rimmed pupils and a carefully crafted hairstyle for this large African so-called "racing" mask. The chin is lined with bells and sachets of various ingredients. Height on base: 65 cm.
Masks equipped with round orbits (gunye ge), facilitating vision, are part of the set of northern Dan masks and are used for racing events during the dry season. The zapkei ge, also equipped with circular orbits, are responsible for preventing fires by watching over domestic fires. Among the Dan, or Yacouba, living in the west of the Ivory Coast and in Liberia, the "dü" force which would animate the world would manifest itself in the sculpted masks. According to the Dan, the spirits indicate how to name the mask they wish to see made. These masks of different types are endowed with social, spiritual and political functions, often changing over time.