Dean Gle Mask

Dan

1 of 4

Object Label

Historically, Dan society vested political leadership in a council of elders. Masks served as agents of social control, enforcing the council’s rules and orders. The masked figures were believed to be incarnate spiritual beings capable of rendering unbiased judgments. The specific functions of individual masks, once removed from their village contexts, are impossible to determine. Here, the nearly closed eyes and small mouth contrast with those of other masks and probably indicate that this example served in a peacemaking function and generally created harmony in the community. On the other hand, the form of the bu gle mask (no. 2) with projecting eyes and mouth was designed to be deliberately frightening.

Caption

Dan. Dean Gle Mask, late 19th–early 20th century. Wood, pigment, 9 3/4 x 6 x 3 in. (24.8 x 15.2 x 7.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Evelyn K. Kossak, 80.244. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery

Not on view

Collection

Arts of Africa

Culture

Dan

Title

Dean Gle Mask

Date

late 19th–early 20th century

Geography

Possible place made: Côte d'Ivoire, Possible place made: Liberia

Medium

Wood, pigment

Classification

Masks

Dimensions

9 3/4 x 6 x 3 in. (24.8 x 15.2 x 7.6 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Evelyn K. Kossak

Accession Number

80.244

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