Description:

West Africa, Liberia/Ivory Coast, Dan peoples, ca. early 20th century CE. A Dan mask known as a firefighter mask or a fire mask created for a Zakpei Ge "fire-extinguishing" masker. During the dry season, Zakpei Ge traditionally move about at midday to ensure that fires are extinguished before the afternoon winds threaten to create dangerous conditions. While sharing features characteristic of many Dan masks such as a bulging forehead, a concave face, wide open circular eyes, and a slightly open mouth with protruding lips - the Zakpei or Zakpai mask is unique in that it also has red cloth applied over the eyes. This example is also embellished with red fibers above the upper lip, a braided fiber beard, and more plaited fiber around the visage. Size: 5.6" W x 11" H (14.2 cm x 27.9 cm)

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, acquired in 1987 on the Paris art market

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#156706

  • Condition: Small tuft of mustache hair missing as shown. Abrasions and minor nicks to face and verso, with age-commensurate desiccation and fading to hair components and textile strip across eyes, otherwise intact and very good. Nice patina throughout.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

October 22, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000