MASQUE, DAN, CÔTE D'IVOIRE |

Collection Kevork Loris Essayan (1897-1981), Paris
Boisgirard et de Heeckeren, Paris, "Collection Essayan", 25 avril 1977, n° 276
Collection Max Itzikovitz, Paris, acquis lors de cette vente
Collection Marceau Rivière, Paris, acquis ca. 1982

La Flèche, Château de Carmes, Arts premiers de Côte d'Ivoire, 11 janvier - 3 mars 1997 / Nogent-le-Rotrou, Musée municipal du Château Saint-Jean, 8 mars - 28 avril 1997

Boyer, Girard et Rivière, Arts premiers de Côte d'Ivoire, 1997, p. 46 et 127, n° 27

Good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. Two smalls parts of the rim of the mask have been broken and glued, restoring perfection to the mask. Exceptional nuanced dark brown glossy patina with caramel tones on the edge of the forehead.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Caractéristique du style Dan septentrional qui s’est épanoui aux confins de la Côte d’Ivoire et du Liberia, ce masque allie superbement la force des volumes et la sensibilité des traits. Le visage, large et anguleux, exalte une puissance sereine accentuée par la finesse des modelés et la patine très sombre, brillante sur les reliefs. L’imposante nervure centrale, équilibrant par sa tension l'ensemble de la face, conclut sur la projection de la bouche entrouverte - commissures abaissées - autrefois sertie de dents métalliques. Représentant l'idéal de beauté en pays Dan, l’étroite fente des yeux plissés identifie ce masque à un visage féminin. Il s’apparente très étroitement à un autre masque acquis par Roger Bédiat dans la région de Danané dans les années 1940, ayant rejoint ensuite la Collection de Vivianne Jutheau, Comtesse de Witt (Sotheby’s, Paris, 14 décembre 2016, n° 6).

Characteristic of the northern Dan style, which flourished in the region that straddles the Côte d'Ivoire-Liberia border, this mask superbly combines the forcefulness of its volume with the sensitivity of its features. The face, broad and angular, exudes a serene sense of power enhanced by the fineness of the modelling and the darkness of the patina with glistening reliefs. The tension of the imposing central ridge gives balance to the composition of the face, leading the viewer to its slightly parted lips with dipping corners, which originally revealed metallic teeth. Consistent with the ideals of beauty in Dan culture, the narrow slits of the eyes identify this mask as female.

This mask is closely related to a mask acquired by Roger Bédiat in the Danane region in the 1940s, then in the Viviane Jutheau, Comtesse de Witt Collection (Sotheby’s, Paris, 14 december 2016, n° 6)