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Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Mask with Hinged Jaw (Bu Gle)

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Mask with Hinged Jaw (Bu Gle)

Among the Dan, disputes were traditionally settled by calling upon individuals wearing masks such as this. They were believed to be incarnate spiritual beings capable of rendering unbiased judgments. The unusually small size of this mask as well as the condition of the wood and surface patina suggest that it is a very early example.

Culture: Dan
Medium: Wood, organic material, monkey skin, iron nails
Place Made: Liberia
Dates: 19th century
Dimensions: 10 1/4 x 5 1/8 x 5 1/2 in. (26.0 x 13.0 x 14.0 cm)
Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands
Museum Location: This item is on view in African Galleries, 1st Floor
Accession Number: 2000.38.2
Credit Line: Gift of Blake Robinson
Image: Overall, 2000.38.2_transpc003.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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Crystal_Callender (8)
- dan
- wood
- organic
- iron nails
- face
- mask
- jaw
- monkey skin
Lee_Rubinstein (1)
- Bu Gle
ninakuriloff (1)
- 19th century
Egg (1)
- fur
spbivona (1)
- Mask
jenmaicha (4)
- Liberian
- wood
- monkey skin
- mask

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