Dan / Wobé Gebande Beggar Mask, Côte d'Ivoire #138

Dan / Wobé Gebande Beggar Mask, Côte d'Ivoire #138Dan Wob Initiation Beggar Mask, Cte d'Ivoire #138 Wob des W, Region of Man, Village of Koua. Vandenhoute distinguished two large groups of Masks: the Gebande and the Genome. Gebande is the most sacred examples of Dan Masks while Genome is a lower rank of Masks. The classifications relate to the content which the Dan attribute to the Mask, rather than the appearance of the Mask. Gebande Masks can be divided into a series of subgroups and categories:

• Dan / Wobé Initiation Beggar Mask, Côte d'Ivoire #138
• Wobé des Wé, Region of Man, Village of Koua. 
• Vandenhoute distinguished two large groups of Masks: the Gebande and the Genome. Gebande is the most sacred examples of Dan Masks while Genome is a lower rank of Masks. The classifications relate to the content which the Dan attribute to the Mask, rather than the appearance of the Mask.
  
• Gebande Masks can be divided into a series of subgroups and categories:
  
• Subgroups:
  - Singers’ Masks
  - Dancers’ Masks
  - Storytellers’ Masks
  - Beggars’ Masks (their primary use is the collection of Offerings for Ancestors)
• Categories:
  - Gore or Ancestor Masks (the most Sacred of Masks)
  - Gesuya or Avenger Masks (stands up to the Go Master and the Ancestors)
  - Miniature Masks or Passport Masks (substitutes for Goge or Gesuya masks)
  - Zakpai or Sagbwe Masks (Runners’ Mask or Fire Watchers’ Mask)

• Materials: forest wood with a decoration of cotton fabric, inlaid with cowry shells and bells in bronze.

• Condition: internal shiny patina of wear presenting a few antiquity cracks. Without break or restoration.

• Measurements:  34×22×12 cm

• Custom Base included.

• Excellent example of a far older fine mask receiving new (at that time period 1960's attachments and Dance-ready freshening of attachments; please notice the canvas chin attachement).
• Provenance: Collected In Situ during the 1960s, transmitted by Family Descent, then purchased bt the Farafi Gallery.
• Pieter Jan Vandenhoute in 1938/1939. P. J. Vandenhoute was a pioneer in the investigation of Dan and We (Guéré) art on the Ivory Coast in the 1930s. He is the author of 'Classification stylistique du masque Dan et Guéré de la Cote d'Ivoire occidentale', 1948.