Dan Zakpai Mask, Côte d'Ivoire, #593

Dan Zakpai Mask, Côte d'Ivoire, #593Dan Zakpai Mask, Cte d'Ivoire #593 Dan Zakpai "Runner" Mask in a very expressive design. Signs of wear with an excellent patina on all parts including the inner surface. Cotton cord headdress beautifully preserved and is part of the final preparation of an older Mask to be danced. Measurements: 26207 cm; 10" x 8" x 2. 75" Superb example of a Dan Zakpai Mask, from the Cote d'Ivoire, border with Liberia. The Zakpai Mask is translated to mean the Fire

• Dan Zakpai Mask, Côte d'Ivoire #593
• Dan Zakpai "Runner" Mask in a very expressive design.
• Signs of wear with an excellent patina on all parts including the inner surface. Cotton cord headdress beautifully preserved and is part of the final preparation of an older Mask to be danced.
• Measurements: 26×20×7 cm; 10" x 8" x 2.75"
  
• Superb example of a  Dan Zakpai Mask, from the Cote d'Ivoire, border with Liberia.
  
• The Zakpai Mask is translated to mean the ‘Fire Prevention Masquerade’.
  
• Zakpai Masks appears during the Dry Season, and their function is to ensure that Women extinguish cooking fires after use to prevent afternoon winds spreading fire through the Village and Bush.
• Such Masks were typically used during annual Races among neighboring Dan Communities to practice and ensure Rapid Field Fire Notification between Villages.
  
• The shape of the Mask is purely Dan, with a calm and serene expression and wide open, alert eyes which are characteristic of Dan Zakpai "Runner" Masks.
  
• Material : Wood, metal and metal plates, cow hide, felt, natural fibers.
  
• Measurements: 22×13×7 cm (total height with the beard : 24 cm); 9.4" approx.
  
• References: RAND AFRICAN ART: Dan - Masks. Bibliography: THE ARTS OF THE DAN IN WEST AFRICA: Eberhard Fischer & Hans Himmelheber and AFRICAN ART IN MOTION: ICON AND ACT IN THE COLLECTION OF KATHERINE CORYTON WHITE: Robert Farris Thompson