Dan Racing Mask ,AMBASSADORS COLLECTION Start Price USD 795.00 Current Price USD 795.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, October 08, 2008 End Time Friday, November 07, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Dan Racing Mask ,AMBASSADORS COLLECTION' Description Dan Racing Mask , Liberia,  African, Raffia HairType of Object: Mask Ethnic Group: Dan Country of Origin: Cote d'Ivoire/Liberia Materials: Wood, vegetal fibers, pigmentApproximate Age: Mid 20th century Dimensions: 20 inches Overall Condition: GoodDamage, Repair: old bug damageSTAND NOT INCLUDED! Provenance: From the Collection of Ambassador Patricia and Mr. Richard Hawkins. Ambassador Hawkins is currently the U.S. Ambassador to Togo. She has previously served the State Department in Zaire, now Democratic Republic of the Congo; Burkina Faso; and Cote D'Ivoire. Richard Hawkins is also a career Foreign Service Diplomat. Both of them have connoisseur's eyes. The Hawkins' have collected African art for many years, and we are delighted to offer a portion of their magnificent collection. Additional Information: A beautiful example of one of the most famous of the many styles of Dan masks, the "gunyeya." These so-called "racing" masks were historically used in a serious game of chase, where the runner being chased, the mask-wearer, would be beaten if caught. The roles would then be reversed, and the captor would don the mask and, in turn, be chased. These games continue today, but are now forms of entertainment, and actual violence is rare. The Dan have produced an enormous pantheon of masks, many of them of very high quality, much to the delight of collectors around the world. Considering their sheer quantity, the number of masterpieces is astounding. The braided headdress adds another dimensions  to the impressive character of this mask. The mask shows signs of long use and good age. Recommended Reading: See THE ARTS OF THE DAN IN WEST AFRICA, by Fischer and Himmelheber. I have examined this piece and agree with the description.Niangi Batulukisi, Ph.D.  **041338** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!