Dan Standing Female Figure Liberia

Overall Condition: Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.   Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.  We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings.  Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.

Damage/Repair: Chipped edge

Dan art is a particular style of African art that originates from the Dan people, who live primarily in Liberia and the Ivory-Coast. Dan art is known for its intricate wood carvings, which often depict human or animal figures. The carvings are typically used in a variety of cultural and religious contexts, such as initiation ceremonies, funerals, and divination rituals.

One of the most iconic forms of Dan art is the mask, which is used in a variety of different ceremonies and rituals. Dan masks are often characterized by their elongated shape, and by the use of stylized features such as high foreheads, narrow eyes, and pointed chins. The masks are often decorated with intricate geometric patterns and symbolic imagery, such as animals or plants.

The Dan in the past lived in small villages and towns ruling themselves through a complex arrangement of family lineages, men's secret societies and various initiation ceremonies. Famous for their masks the Dan believe that spirits of the wild known as Du manifest themselves in masks and masquerades to humans instructing and sustaining them in life.  Famous for their masks the Dan believe that spirits, known as Du, live in the untamed forests and manifest themselves to humans in masks and masquerades instructing and sustaining the Dan in life.  When during a dream a male was instructed by a Du to dance a mask, he would commission a carver to make a mask for him.  Among the Dan, masks are grouped in an assortment of forms with different duties assigned to each. 

In addition to masks, Dan art also includes a wide range of other forms, such as figurines, stools, and musical instruments. Many of these objects are decorated with the same stylized features and symbolic imagery as the masks, creating a cohesive and visually striking artistic tradition.

Overall, Dan art is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Dan people, and to the power of art to express complex cultural and spiritual ideas.