Masque, Dan, Côte d'Ivoire

Collection Roger Bédiat (x-1958), ca. 1940
Ader-Picard-Tajan, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 21 mai 1990, n° 50
Collection Viviane Jutheau, Comtesse de Witt, acquis lors de cette vente

Very good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. One tooth in place. Exceptional thick dark patina with beautiful brown nuanced tones. To the rear the rough hollowed carvering is well patinated on the edges.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Caractéristique du style Dan septentrional qui s’est épanoui aux confins de la Côte d’Ivoire et du Liberia, ce masque allie superbement la force des volumes et la sensibilité des traits. Le visage, large et anguleux, exalte une puissance sereine accentuée par la finesse des modelés et la patine très sombre, brillante sur les reliefs. L’imposante nervure centrale, équilibrant par sa tension l'ensemble de la face, conclue sur la projection de la bouche entrouverte - commissures abaissées - autrefois sertie de dents métalliques. Représentant l'idéal de beauté en pays Dan, l’étroite fente des yeux plissés identifie ce masque à un visage féminin.

Il s’apparente très étroitement à un autre masque provenant également de la collection Roger Bédiat (Sotheby’s, Paris, 16 juin 2010, n° 38), collecté par ce dernier dans la région de Danané, dans les années 1940.  

Dan mask, Côte d'Ivoire

Characteristic of the northern Dan style, which flourished in the region that straddles the Côte d'Ivoire-Liberia border, this mask superbly combines the forcefulness of its volume with the sensitivity of its features. The face, broad and angular, exudes a serene sense of power enhanced by the fineness of the modelling and the darkness of the patina with glistening reliefs. The tension of the imposing central ridge gives balance to the composition of the face, leading the viewer to its slightly parted lips with dipping corners, which originally revealed metallic teeth. Consistent with the ideals of beauty in Dan culture, the narrow slits of the eyes identify this mask as female.

This mask is closely related to another mask collected by Roger Bédiat in the Danane region in the 1940s (Sotheby’s, Paris, 16 June 2010, No. 38).