Dan, Ivory Coast, Liberia: A ‘fire runner’ or ‘zakpäi mask’.
These ‘fire runner masks’, with their large, round eyes, were worn by young men who, in the dry season, ran through the villages of the Dan dressed in full body costumes in order to extinguish ‘forgotten’ stove fires while the women are at work in the fields. Their role is similar to that of a ‘fire brigade’. The present ‘fire runner mask’, called ‘zakpäi’, is an especially beautiful and old example of this mask type: made of hard wood, dyed black, oval with pointed chin, with a small nose, pouting lips, triple scarification marks outlining the face and a small hole above the arched forehead. An (‘empowering’) metal spiral was formerly lodged in this hole. Under the chin this mask has five holes, originally used for attaching a beard made of plant fibres.
Especially noteworthy in this item: the holes on the rim of the mask used for fastening the dance costume are still rectangular and long (older type!). In later Dan masks these holes are round. With very beautiful, black shiny patina on the front and back. Hardly any age-related damage (two holes on the back rim in the upper section are broken; an old crack as a result of protracted use). First third of the 20th century; H: 22.5 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Gal. Pierre Robin, Paris; Viennese private collection.
Lit.: ‘Die Kunst der Dan’ by Fischer & Himmelheber, Museum Rietberg Zurich, ill. 42–62.
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
05.11.2014 - 13:00
- Stima:
-
EUR 3.000,- a EUR 4.000,-
Dan, Ivory Coast, Liberia: A ‘fire runner’ or ‘zakpäi mask’.
These ‘fire runner masks’, with their large, round eyes, were worn by young men who, in the dry season, ran through the villages of the Dan dressed in full body costumes in order to extinguish ‘forgotten’ stove fires while the women are at work in the fields. Their role is similar to that of a ‘fire brigade’. The present ‘fire runner mask’, called ‘zakpäi’, is an especially beautiful and old example of this mask type: made of hard wood, dyed black, oval with pointed chin, with a small nose, pouting lips, triple scarification marks outlining the face and a small hole above the arched forehead. An (‘empowering’) metal spiral was formerly lodged in this hole. Under the chin this mask has five holes, originally used for attaching a beard made of plant fibres.
Especially noteworthy in this item: the holes on the rim of the mask used for fastening the dance costume are still rectangular and long (older type!). In later Dan masks these holes are round. With very beautiful, black shiny patina on the front and back. Hardly any age-related damage (two holes on the back rim in the upper section are broken; an old crack as a result of protracted use). First third of the 20th century; H: 22.5 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Gal. Pierre Robin, Paris; Viennese private collection.
Lit.: ‘Die Kunst der Dan’ by Fischer & Himmelheber, Museum Rietberg Zurich, ill. 42–62.
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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lun-ven: 10.00 - 17.00
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| Asta: | Tribal Art |
| Tipo d'asta: | Asta in sala |
| Data: | 05.11.2014 - 13:00 |
| Luogo dell'asta: | Wien | Palais Dorotheum |
| Esposizione: | 31.10. - 05.11.2014 |