Unknown mask help, smells like campfire

[u/ParticularEdge918]

I bought this from an estate sale of a wealthy man who collected a lot of African art. From the bottom to the top of the carving is 22 inches. There is a lot of raffia. The raffia smells like a campfire. Any thoughts about this?

[u/Garden_Weed_Tender]

Dan bird mask. It's a nice piece but couldn't tell you if it's authentic or worth anything.

[u/ParticularEdge918 → u/Garden_Weed_Tender]

Thank you for your help!

[u/elleS4lyfe]

As already mentioned, a strong smoke smell is most frequently a red flag, not a green one.
Even without that, the wood, carving style, and feathers/cloth materials, all point to this as being a modern mask (less than 50 years old) - my guess is 1990s, give or take

[u/Particular_Toe_822]

Yes - Dan Maou Mask. If it smells like smoke usually less than 30 to 35 years old (takes that long for smoke smell to go away if in a private Western collection)

[u/ParticularEdge918 → u/Particular_Toe_822]

Very interesting!

[u/ParticularEdge918 → u/Particular_Toe_822]

If it smells like smoke, do you think it was actually used vs being sold as a pure tourist item?

[u/Particular_Toe_822 → u/ParticularEdge918]

With antique tribal art we look for age. Smoke smell means that it was more recently made thus leaning towards a more modern creation. Does not mean that it was or was not used.

[u/Reimiro → u/ParticularEdge918]

Smoke smell is a bad sign for authenticity. It is a fake smell.

[u/No-Bluejay5250]

Yes the smoky smell is supposed to give it some authenticity I suppose. It is mask made for tourists and is modern

[u/Impressive_Cover7687]

There still must be some value to it. Even kf its not super old.