Mau Gio Mask – Wood – Dan – Ivory Coast

Great wooden mask from the DAN people of Ivory Coast. Small Dan Maou mask in the shape of a human face topped with short twisted horns with a long bird’s beak extending from the chin. Like the Dan and the We, the Maou make miniature versions of their large masks to use as personal protection charms. Like the masks of the Komo society of the Bamana, the Maou masks are heavily encrusted with sacrificial materials. Beautiful sacrificial patina of use.
Beautifull aged patina on the mask. Good condition with traces of tribal use.

Provenance: former private collection from Germany.