LIBERIAN DAN-KRAN KAGLE BUGLE MASK WITH TUBULAR OPEN MOUTH The Dan-Kran (also known as Dan-Ngere or Dan-Wé) mask from the Ivory Coast and Liberia is a powerful example of the "Kagle" or "Bugle" style, characterized by its aggressive, geometric abstraction. This large, square-faced animal mask is dominated by a markedly protruding, tubular open mouth, which gives it a fierce and vocal appearance. In the cultural context of the Wé and Dan peoples, these "force masks" are intended to embody wild, unpredictable spirits of the forest, often appearing in masquerades to entertain through energetic and sometimes mock-aggressive behavior. The rugged, encrusted surface of the wood and the presence of circular attachment points around the rim suggest it was once integrated into a complex costume of raffia and textiles, designed to fully transform the dancer into a formidable supernatural entity. height: 17 inches $200-300
