Mug, portrait mask of Dan Deangle with a goatee

Among the Dan, the mask allows the spirits, the "ge", to take part in the lives of men.

On this porcelain mug, a portrait mask is drawn in black and grey pencil on a white background. It is placed on the side of the piece, while a fine grey border underlines the base. We see it as our tribute to the iconic "Dan Masks".

🎭 The history of the motif

Among the Dan, in western Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia, a spirit can appear in a dream to ask that a mask be carved for it. Masks with feminine features, such as the Deangle, are benevolent.

• Dan (Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia): also called Yacouba.
• Deangle (Côte d'Ivoire, Dan): a benevolent spirit with feminine features, an oval face and almond-shaped eyes.

✨ What the motif tells

For the Dan, the mask allows the spirits, the "ge", to take part in the lives of men. It is this presence of spirits in the lives of men that the motif tells.

Our reinterpretation

The mask becomes a drawing on the side of the mug. The black and grey of the pencil stand out on the white of the porcelain, and a fine grey border underlines the base. On this piece, the drawn mask is the Dan portrait mask "Deangle": regular features, slit eyes, diamond-shaped mouth with full lips. It is crowned with a thick textile cushion padded with rows of cowrie shells and completed with a goatee. Each mug is decorated to order in our workshop in Alfortville: motif prepared, placed and glazed by hand before firing.

At your table

At the time of a hot drink, place this mug on a light linen tablecloth, in the soft afternoon light, to share a moment with your loved ones. Given to someone interested in African cultures, it reminds us that, for the Dan, the "ge" spirits take part in the lives of men.

Characteristics

• Contents: 1 mug, motif on the outside.
• Colors: black, grey, white.
• Material: porcelain.
• Dimensions: Mug: Ø 8 cm, height 9.1 cm, 30 cl.
• Personalization: colors, first name, date or short message upon request. Mask to choose from hundreds of African-inspired models, drawn from authentic representations preserved in museums, coming from all the countries of Africa: according to what touches or marks the person.
• In case of breakage: replacement of the item possible, same motif, same dimensions, as long as the shape remains in the catalog.
• In the same motif: coffee cup, mug.

Write to us to personalize this mug and choose the mask that will accompany your daily life, echoing the presence of the "ge" spirits.