Dan Gunyeya RACING Mask FINE, African Mask Start Price USD 540.00 Current Price USD 540.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, July 20, 2008 End Time Sunday, July 27, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Dan Gunyeya RACING Mask FINE, African Mask' Description Title: Dan Gunyeya RACING mask,Liberia, older FINE Type of Object: Face mask Ethnic Group: Dan Country of Origin: Liberia, Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Materials: Wood Approximate Age: mid 20th C Dimensions: Height 9.5 inches Overall Condition: Good Damage, Repair: Edge has eroded in several places, and eyes have some old damage. Additional Information: This is a Dan mask known as Gunyeya, sometimes called ‘Zakpai ge’ when it shows small round eyes. The present mask has quite large eyes and is most likely a Gunyege,  an active and aggressive mask that serves a number of functions.The Gunyeya as well as the Zakpai ge  is a racing mask worn by a dancer who is chased by an unmasked runner. If caught, the pursuer wears the mask and is, in turn, pursued It is a ‘fire watch’ mask that insures proper use of cooking fires by women and will throw sticks and things about and knock over cook pots with their meals into the fires and may even beat the women if they were careless in their use of fire. In the past it also served as a war mask. This is a classic example of traditional old carving with delicate features, a very thin carved wood and with a dynamic profile of the face.  To support the age of the mask the interior shows signs of much wear and use. Recommended Reading: Kerchache's ART OF AFRICA **024774** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!