This angular, cubist mask type represents a chimpanzee and is worn with large full body costumes during important feasts of the Dan, the Dan Kran and Dan Ngere in order to provoke and ‘galvanise’ the audience with crass jokes and jumps. The present 'Kagle mask' is an especially beautiful example: the semicircular, bulging forehead protrudes over the deep-set, round eyes. The angular and square cheeks and the triangular-shaped nose are also distinctly protuberant. Under the nose, the chimpanzee’s round ‘snout’ extends even more to the front. The top of the mask is surmounted by an ‘empowering’ iron bow.
This exceptional object has the remains of some white colouring (kaolin) on its front side. There is some colour abrasion due to age. There are also some minor cracks on the back rim. Otherwise no damage. The excellent shiny patina along the edges and on the inside (back) testifies to the old age of the mask. Overall a magnificent object: pure ‘Cubism’ in so-called ‘primitive art’. Height: 25 cm. Between c. 1900 and the first third of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
Ricqlés auction, Paris, on 6 June 1999, lot no. 136; Auction of the English Collection of Dennis Hotz at Christie’s, Paris, on 14 June 2011, lot no. 186; Serge Schoffel gallery, Brussels; currently: Viennese private collection.

Lit.:
'Die Kunst der Dan' by Fischer & Himmelheber, Rietberg Museum, Zurich, ill. 78, 80, 82, 84; 'African Art in American Collections' by Robbins & Nooter, ill. 327; 'The Tribal Arts of Africa' by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, p. 36, ill. 7.