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THBRare Pair of African Dan Poro Society Headdress Masks
Lot 44b
About Seller
Artemis Fine Arts
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$1,500 - $2,500
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| $300 | $50 |
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| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
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| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Fine Arts
Aug 22, 2025
Set Reminder
2025-08-22 10:00:00
2025-08-22 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Indigenous Art - Ralph T. Coe Center, Santa Fe, NM
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/indigenous-art---ralph-t-coe-center-santa-fe-nm-20324
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
View Full Catalog (452)
- Lot Description
West Africa, Liberia and Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire), Dan peoples, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A rare and compelling pair of face masks, each with an elaborate headdress, likely associated with the Poro society - a male initiation society that governs spiritual and social order across many West African communities. The headdresses, which extend horizontally from the mask, are constructed around a stick core wrapped in cotton cloth, decorated with cowrie shells, dense raffia fringe, and central glass mirror discs. A cloth veil hangs down to conceal the wearer's neck, preserving anonymity. The masks are carved in contrasting expressions: one features wide, circular open eyes suggesting heightened alertness or spiritual activation; the other, with narrow slitted eyes, evokes sleep or introspection. Each chin is adorned with a densely packed textile extension terminating in four iron bells, which rattle. Size: 30" L x 7" W (76.2 cm x 17.8 cm); 25" H (63.5 cm) on included custom stand.
Exhibited: "Hands on... Culture Shock!" Ralph T. Coe Foundation for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Hands-On Curatorial Program 2015 April 2 - December 31, 2015
Provenance: Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; ex-Ralph T. Coe personal collection; purchased at the Peabody Museum shop at Harvard Museum
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
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#196418Discoloration and staining to cloth as expected with age and use. Some holes and tears, but overall great conditions.Condition
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