124 - DAN, Ivory Coast / Liberia

DAN, Ivory Coast / Liberia Anthropomorphic mask Carved wood with a dark brown to black patina, accented with white pigment. An elongated face with a high, domed forehead; raised eyebrow arches above elongated, openwork eyes, accented with white pigment. The prominent nose dominates a slightly parted mouth with thick lips revealing carved teeth, also accented with white. The angular cheeks extend toward a tapered chin. Geometric decoration incised on the sides of the face. Mounting holes around the perimeter. H.: 25.5 cm. Provenance According to information provided by the family, this mask was collected by André Del Lallemand during his assignments in West Africa, likely in the 1920s. Since the Dan people have historically been settled in a region now divided mainly between western Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia, the mask may have been acquired during one of his stays in Africa. It was then kept in André Del Lallemand’s family and passed down through the generations to the current owner. A Knight of the Legion of Honor and recipient of the Military Medal and the War Cross, Colonial Infantry Chief Warrant Officer André Del Lallemand undertook several campaigns and overseas assignments during his career, notably in Africa, before also serving in French Indochina.