The ‘Tankagle masks’ of the Dan are very similar to the so-called ‘Deangle masks’, that is, masks with slit eyes, worn by the men who look after the young initiates in the bush camp. ‘Tankagle masks’ are, however, always larger and executed with richer detail than the ‘Deangle’ masks. These ‘Tankagle’ are purely entertainment masks, in which the dancers perform for the enjoyment of the public in the villages of the Dan.
The present ‘Tankagle mask’ of the Dan is carved from hard, heavy wood and originally dyed black on the front side. It displays a noticeably wide forehead, bulging strongly towards the front, with a vertical ornamental scarification in the middle. Its eyes are indeed also slit (as with the ‘Deangle type’), but emphasised as almond-shaped in relief. Also, its protruding ears are more carefully fashioned than is typical of the ‘Deangle masks.’ The wide, slightly curved nose and the ‘sensuous’, open mouth conform completely to the typical ideal of the Dan masks. Overall a piece with some colour scuffing due to age on the front (forehead, nose, lips), but with a convincing, shiny and slightly encrusted patina at the front and an excellent, shiny usage patina on the back, on the inside. No damage.
Height: 27 cm; width: 19.4 cm.
First third to mid-20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
Austrian collection.

Lit.:
‘Die Kunst der Dan’ by Eberhard Fischer & Hans Himmelheber, ill. 20, 22, 24, 27; ‘Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture’ by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 169; ‘The Tribal Arts of Africa’ by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, p. 36, ill. 2.