Hello, this item is a carved wooden Dan or Dan-related mask from the Côte d’Ivoire/Liberia cultural region, most likely dating to the mid-20th century. The compact oval form, strongly projecting lips, triangular nose, large circular eye openings, smooth dark-brown surface and numerous perforations around the perimeter are consistent with masks intended to be worn with an attached textile or fiber costume. The interior shows extensive adze and carving marks together with surface wear around the rim and eye openings. These features, combined with the reported purchase in Côte d’Ivoire in 1982, support the possibility that this was made for local use rather than as a recent decorative reproduction, although a precise Dan subgroup or ceremonial function cannot be established from photographs alone.

The mask measures approximately 7 1/2 x 4 x 2 inches and appears structurally sound, with age-related abrasions and losses consistent with use. The rounded eye openings may relate it stylistically to male Dan mask types rather than the more delicately modeled slit-eyed female masks, but attribution should remain conservative without documented collection history predating 1982. Genuine mid-20th-century Dan masks with convincing wear and older collection provenance remain desirable in the tribal-art market, although examples without a named collector, published history or firm early dating generally trade in the several-hundred-dollar range rather than at the much higher prices achieved by documented early pieces.

Fair Market Value: $400–$800 USD