New Year's Sale Ends 1/3 at 22:00 15700→13990 The Dan people are an ethnic group living in the area of Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire in West Africa. Known as the "honor students of African masks" for the completeness of their mask culture and refined aesthetic beauty, they have produced many masks that embody <intelligence, discipline, and negotiation skills> within their calm expressions. This is not a mask to be worn, but a "double" for personal use. When leaving the village, going to the market, or standing in a negotiation— It has served as a spiritual guardian and social "face" on behalf of the owner. Moreover, it is taboo for anyone other than the owner to touch it without permission. It was such a personal and intimate presence. Although it's palm-sized, it's not "modest" just because it's small. What first attracts you is the three-layered structure of black, reddish-brown, and glossy patina. It's not painted, but the color that was born from being used, touched, and aged. Slightly downcast almond eyes. Depending on the angle, the expression can appear gentle or shrewd. This is why the Dan mask is called the "mask of intelligence." The nose bridge is straight, and the mouth is quietly closed, a face that doesn't speak too much, but knows something. Honestly, if this were presented to a negotiating partner, you would feel like you've been outmaneuvered. Item Specifications * Origin: Dan people, Côte d'Ivoire * Material: Wood * Size (approx.): Height 19cm Width 10cm Thickness 7cm * Please check the condition in the photos. In a more niche discussion, this crescent-moon-like sculpted face line is unique to the Dan people, a design that is completed from a side profile rather than a frontal view. Rather than "showing a strong front" to others, the crescent line creates shadows, and it is a shape that symbolizes night, silence, thought, and judgment, rather than outward-facing power like the sun. It embodies the aesthetic sense unique to a passport mask that accompanies travel and negotiation. When displayed, the way light and shadow trace the face made it seem as if it was hoping for its next owner's journey, just before the winter solstice, so I am putting it up for sale. #DanPeople #DanMask #PassportMask #AfricanMask #AfricanArt #PrimitiveArt #TribalArt #Mingei #NotACursedObject #CollectorsItem #OneOfAKind #VintageAfrica #EthnicArt #InteriorArt