Face Mask
Late 19th or early 20th century
Dan Possibly Liberia Coastal West Africa
Liberia
Dan masks can be male, female, or a mixture of both like the one with a crocodile-like muzzle displayed here. They are manifestations of forest spirits that reveal themselves in dreams to sculptors. A naturalistic or stylized embodiment is then created under the direction of the spirit-patron. There are 11 different types of Dan masks, each with different names and meanings recognized by villages on the borders between Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire.
Wood, metal, and nails