A superb and very old mask, with a slightly pinched mouth and a large powerful forehead, like its cheekbones, that plunges and ends with large arches that protrude and overhang its slit eyes. This mask is exceptional both for its plastic qualities, its great age, its presence, and for the rarity of its typology. It is covered with an important patina of soot, known as smoke, which testifies to its age and to the fumigation methods that made it possible to preserve important objects in situ from woodborers. It is still marked by an ancient reddish pigment around the eyes. It is not surprising in view of all its qualities that this beautiful mask passed through the hands and expert eye of René Rasmussen, who kept it in his private collection, and who published it in 1951 with other works from his collection in a small publication (Art Nègre) presented by him and which has since become almost mythical. For a mask of the same rare typology, but of much lesser quality and age, see : Masken der Wè und Dan Elfenbeinküste - Die Sammlung des Schweizer Malers Charles Hug Paris 1928- 31, Museum Rietberg Zürich, 1997, p. 77, fig. 47. Dan, Ivory Coast Wood, remnant of an old ochre pigment around the eyes, superb and old patina from smoke and use. H. Height : 25 cm Provenance : - Private collection of René Rasmussen, Paris. - Sotheby's sale, London, July 3, 1989, lot 86. - Collection Nadine Vinot-Postry, Paris, 1992. Publication : Art Nègre, presented by René Rasmussen, Éd. Le Soleil Noir 1951, reproduced fig. 24.