French market vocabulary· French
Marques d'utilisation internes
In English use: Internal use traces
Internal use traces — sweat, oil, and rubbing inside masks. Fakers neglect this.
A critical authentication criterion, especially for African masks (e.g. Dan masks of Côte d'Ivoire). Sweat, sebum, and the permanent friction of the dancer's cheekbones, forehead, and chin leave on the inside of the mask unmistakable smoothings and organic deposits. Forgers, who artificially age masks, often neglect these internal traces.