Cote d’Ivoire and Liberia
Dan
Wood, cotton fiber, metal, rattan, feathers, bone
Early 20th Century
Length: 8.25 in
Other – Regalia – Headdress

Headdresses are the most important art form of the Dan people of Cote d’Ivoire and Liberia.  What is seen here is a headdress, as the word mask usually encompasses a full-body regalia constructed of raffia, feathers, and fur. The Dan people refer to these headdresses as gle or ge.  These are terms that refers both to the physical mask and the individual spirits the mask or regalia believed to be embodied during masquerade performances.  Gle can be divided into two categories: that of dean gle, which is a gentle, peaceful gle without a gender, but whose qualities are thought of as feminine;  and that of bu gle, which is the war gle named after the sound of a gunshot, whose qualities are thought of as masculine.

This is a dean gle headdress that represents an idealized version of Dan beauty. It is characterized by an oval shape face and smooth forehead with circular eyes trimmed in metal.  The mouth is prominent and the upper lip is pierced with inserted teeth.  A knotted rattanfiber surrounds the face and supports three metal bells, in addition to a cap of fabric, fibers and feathers. The face of the headdress was painted black and shows signs of wear with a shiny patina.  The dean gle‘s functions are to teach, entertain and nurture.  With the bells, this is possible a singer’s headdress.

Source: DAN masks – RAND AFRICAN ART