The Diomande are a subgroup and close relative of the Dan. They belong to the so-called ‘Dan cluster’ – the Dan Mano, Dan Kran, Dan Mau etc. The Diomande use very similar types of mask to the true Dan. However, the deep, incised lines of the scarification marks that surround the entire edge of the face are characteristic of the masks of the Dan Diomande – as is seen on the present mask.
This object is a so-called ‘fire runner’, or ‘Zakpäi mask’, as they are also known among the actual Dan. They are worn by young men who, acting as a kind of ‘fire brigade’, run through the village extinguishing ‘forgotten’ and still burning stove fires while women are working on the fields. Stylistically, it is a ‘classic’ ‘fire runner’ mask made from hard, brown wood and dyed black. It has a high, bulging forehead and round, short ‘tubular eyes’, a wide, short nose and a wide, open mouth. An excellent, old piece with noticeable traces of use and only some small age-related damage (colour abrasion and a minimal crack on the back rim; the tip of the nose shows some old chipping). It has a very beautiful, black shiny patina on the front and back. Height: 28 cm; width: 16 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
Private collection of Dr. Karl-Ferdinand Schädler, Munich, Germany

Lit.:
'Die Kunst der Dan' by Fischer & Himmelheber, Rietberg Museum, Zurich, ill. 53, 60, 61, 62, 64.