Mask Item Number: 1373/2 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Black wooden mask with long, angular, protruding nose--beginning immediately underneath the nose, a thick, cascading fringe of reddish-brown hair covers the lower portion of the mask.
History Of Use
Forces (dü), envisaged as omnipresent, invisible spirits, were the first owners of the land. Still, they long to manifest themselves in physical form to intervene in human affairs, sometimes sending dreams to direct the recipients to carve masks through which they are able to materialize. This gägon mask with the long beak and monkey fur beard, told the story of the hornbill who was the first human made by the creator, Zla. Now, most Dan masks are used for secular entertainment.
Item History
- Made in Liberia
- Owned by Helen Purkis before May 30, 1989
- Received from Helen Purkis (Donor) on May 30, 1989
What
- Name
- Mask
- Identification Number
- 1373/2
- Type of Item
- mask
- Material
- wood, monkey hair ? and metal
- Overall
- height 27.2 cm, width 12.7 cm, depth 19.8 cm
Who
- Culture
- Dan
- Previous Owner
- Helen Purkis
- Received from
- Helen Purkis (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Liberia
When
- Ownership Date
- before May 30, 1989
- Acquisition Date
- on May 30, 1989
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 1373/0002