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We are pleased to offer a selection of Masks from Africa. |
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Bassa, Guinea Family Mask
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This dance mask is really quite lovely. There is a blue coloring on some of the
braided hair, ears eyelids and upper lip. A pink to red color is also on
the braided hair, tattooed cheeks and inner lips. Some cotton fiber is
still attached to the mask. There are a few square holes close to the
hair which contain a tight knotted material. The beautiful
scarification tattoo's on this very angular and defined mask are quite
dramatic and well executed.
As
far as age, I was told about sixty years old, but I do not think that it
is quite that old. This is an unusual mask for me. I have not had
another one quite like this before. This would be a nice piece for any
collection.
This finely carved dance mask stands 16"
tall on it's custom display stand. The mask by its self measures 12"
high by 7" wide by 8" deep. |
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Gere Ivory Coast Passport Mask
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A wonderful and detailed passport mask of
the finest quality. This mask has everything going for it. Carved out
of wood it has sea shells, land snails, teeth, animal hair, cotton fiber
and cloth. The mask has tons of patina and libations. Being worn as
part of a head piece to denote which tribe the dancer is from it evokes
strength and power. One of several pieces that came from a private
collection I acquired, this is the most elaborate. Collected in the
1960's the original buyer had an eye for excellence.
Dimensions:
Standing 11 1/2" high on
its custom base the mask measures 9" high by 4 1/2" wide at the whiskers
and 6" deep, tilted. |
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Hemba Mask from Gabon, Zaire, Africa
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SKU # 0445008 |
This Hemba Big Mouth Monkey Clan Mask is the classical style one
is to expect when looking for the dynamic African Art. This mask has been used a few times with a slight smoke
smell to it. The age is undetermined, but I believe it to be newer rather than older.
You will love the simple but elegant style of this mask as it will go well in any location and blend well with different styles. Dimensions: 11 1/2" High x 10" Wide x 8" Deep Standing 21" on its custom
made base.
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This well detailed body mask is from the Yoruba tribe, Nigeria, Africa. It was used for
making medicine and for difficult deliveries the bodice form is turned
upside down with the interior facing up. The belly shape makes a great
bowl and shows years of patina and use It is in incredible condition.
The scarification tattoos on
this body mask are well defined and precise with red coloring showing
through the patina on both sides of the belly. The animal going down
between the breast shows traces of red and white. Most of the side
holes on the bodice have been worn through, thus helping to age this
magnificent piece. I would put it from the 1850's to 1900's. It could
be earlier but that I can not guarantee.
This body mask is ready to
be displayed on the wall with it's own custom wall mount.
Dimensions:
30"
high 14 3/4" wide and 10 1/2" deep |
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This mask is from the Dan Djmou Tribe in Liberia and Guinea, Africa. Danbec meaning Dan (tribe) bec (bird mouth) is used to
speak to the people.
The wood carved
mask is adorned with hand woven cotton cloth with indigo dye on each
side of the face. The eyes are covered with copper and a light weight
metal goes down the nose. The red velvet like fabric covers the face
and cheeks. The top of the mask has a bundle of bells, goat horn, nut,
hair, rings, and a Gree Gree bundle (charms, prayers, and potions).
The beak is covered with horse hair,
nails and pitch. There is a small chip on the tip of the beak but it is not visible from the front.
As far as age, I date this piece from the middle 20th century.
Shown here is one of six Danbec mask acquired, each
different. Please contact us if you would like to see the collection.
It has a custom made wall mount and is ready to hang.
Dimensions:
30"long 7" wide and 8 1/2" deep
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DANBEC MASK
SKU# 0130007-2
This traditional male dance mask is from the Dimou tribe located between Liberia and Gurea, Africa.
The is the second mask of six that I collected at the same time. This particular mask is used to speak to the people when worn at the dance. It has a simple, traditional design with very few additions.
There are three old bells around the face which rest on top of the hand woven cotton fabric. As with all mask of this kind it is carved from one piece of wood and has nails, sea shells, earth pigments and the usual patina found on a mid century item. There is some clay residue that transferred from the face of the dancer.
There are not any cracks, chips or splits on this Danbec mask. It is ready to be installed with it's own custom display mount.
Dimensions:
22 1/2" long x 6 1/2" wide x 7 1/2" deep.
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FESTIVAL DANCE MASK
SKU# FAA22
This dance mask is from the Yaka tribe, Wamba River Zaire
(Congo) Africa.
This beautiful and unusual Man's Festival Dance Mask
comes from the present King's collection. His father died at 85 years of
age and these were kept in his home.
Sometimes male and
female dance with the same style mask. The male mask has the full
upturned nose, while the female has a shorter and wider nose. Mothers
and Fathers of a household have masks but the children do not. This
information was given to me by a very, very reliable African Dealer.
Made of woven raffia, bamboo, paint, earth pigments wood and
patina, this is really a stunning dance mask. It is excellent condition with only a few rubbings along the roof line and an oval hole
beside the mouth. The raffia along the base of the house was broken in
one place and has been repaired.
This mask comes with it's own custom made
stand. It is about 70 years old in age and a must have for any
collection. If you have any remaining questions, please feel free to ask.
Dimensions:
30" high x 14" wide x 14" deep
Price: $2,300 + Add to Cart |
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Dan Liberia Passport Mask
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A Dan Passport mask carved from one piece
of wood with three sets of horns surrounding the face. The mask is worn
on the top or front of the head during a dance ceremony. It denotes
which tribe the dancer is from. This
passport mask is from the 1960's.
Standing 9 3/4" high on the custom display stand (slightly tilted)
Mask alone is 7
1/2"high 4" wide and 4" deep
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Elephant Bone Passport Mask
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With years of use, this mask has a patina
the color of butterscotch. Being of elephant bone this is a very
important item for the user. I would say that this carving would have
been used by a diviner or sorcerer. The raffia beard had been added recently. This item is very dense and heavy and a good collectors
piece. Currently the mask is hung by a cord. If you want a display stand, please let us know.
Dimensions:
Standing 6 1/2" high, 2 7/8" wide and 1/2" deep and 13" with
the beard. |
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A passport mask used for ceremonies. This
piece has years and years of libation, changing the color of the ivory
to a dark mahogany color. The beard is new as well as the cord to hang
it by. The carving on this face, hair and hat are very symmetrical in
execution. If you would like a stand for this please let us know.
Dimensions:
Standing 4 3/4" high 2 1/2" wide and 3/4" deep and 9 1/2"
with the beard.
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Baule Ivory Coast Festival Dance Mask
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A very fine wood carved mask that was
worn during Festivities when dignitaries visit the village. There is still a mouth piece attached to the interior of
the mask. For those who do not know what this if for, the dancer grips
the wood in his mouth to keep the mask from falling off. The carver
did a beautiful job of carving because the coffer and scarification
tattoos are done in very fine detail. Traces of Kaolin clay can be seen
on this mask.
A beautiful
patina covers the surface of this mask. Nothing has been remove or added
and it is in it's original form. This mask is from the middle 20th century.
Dimensions:
Standing 18" high on its custom
made base the mask in it's self is 15" high 8 1/2" wide and 8" deep. It
is on a 5 1/2 square metal base. |
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Danbec Passport Mask, Liberia
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This Danbec passport mask is worn on the
top of the head at a dance. This mask identifies the dancer to the
tribe he belongs to. Carved from one piece of wood, the beak has a
slight curve to it. The raffia is standing wild because this has been
in storage. A little warm water spray will take care of it. There are
traces of Kaolin clay on the face and a indigo cotton cloth around the
rim of the face. It is from the 1960's.
Dimensions:
Standing 12" high on it's custom made base, the wood
mask is 8" high 3 1/2" wide and 4" deep tilted on the base.
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Dogon Baboon Dance Mask, Mali
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This Baboon Mask is very simple in design
but extremely strong visually. With the piercing eyes and square mouth,
the patina and libations just add to the mystique. The wood has had
years of weathering and this has caused a crack to form on the back of
the mouth. This does not harm or detract from the mask at all. The
holes around the edge of the mask are worn as well as the holes for the
mouth piece.This mask has it's own custom made mounting. This is a good piece as a single, or to add to an existing collection.
Dimensions:
Standing 12"
high 5" wide and 4" deep. |
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This Early 20th Century mask is simple in
it's carving but very strong in it's look. The mask has a zig zag
pattern carved above the eyes and across the eyebrows. There are lots
and lots of patina and libations covering the entire front of the mask.
On the sides where the holes for the mouth stick is, some places are worn through. The eyes are triangle and the beak is turned up with
an open mouth. This mask has been mounted for the wall with it's own
custom stand.
Dimensions:
Measures 18" high 7 1/2" wide and 6" deep.
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Bobo Society Beck Mask, Burkina Faso |
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Bobo Society Mask is from the Burkina
Faso tribe which is located in Inland West Africa. I was told that that
the area this mask came from is the Mali and Burkina Faso region. I was
also told that this mask was worn for three generations and then retired.
The man's Bird Society Dance Mask is well worn in the inside with a
mouth guard made of cotton fabric. The eyes are encircled with
concentric rings and large triangle groves go from the back of the mask
to the beak. The end of the beak is wrapped with a heavy cotton twine
and encrusted with patina and smoke. The incised horizontal line under
the tong make this a very good example of fine craftsmanship. This well
used mask is covered with patina and smoke which is not fresh, but
stable. Because of the dark color of this item it was hard to get a
good picture of this dance mask. It comes with it's own custom made stand.
Any questions please feel free to ask.
Standing Size is 16" by 21 1/2" long and 7" wide.
The metal
base is 7 3/3" by 6" |
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Kuba , Gabon Zaire Harvest Society Mask
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This fun Kuba helmet mask is shaped like a bee and used at the harvest festival. The light weight wood is carved on
both sides with circles and squares. On the topside of the mask the
circles have traces of Kalon clay and soot and the squares design on
the underside also have traces of red pigment. There are triangle
shaped holes on each side of the body of the bee for chin strap
supports. Well used and a little rough around the edges. Upon purchase
please let me know if you want this Bee Mask to have a table stand or
wall mount. This is a nice visual item.
Size 33"
wide by 13" tall and 4 3/4" deep.
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Banbara Society Mask - Mali
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This society dance mask is the
traditional style of the Bambara people. The hand carved wood base face
is covered with embossed copper sheeting, and woven cotton fabric. I would date this Bambara Society
Mask to be about 30 years old. A nice piece for any collection.
The
mask stands 11 1/2 " high (on custom 15" base) 4 1/2" wide and 4"
deep. |
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Liberia Ceremony Dan Mask
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This Liberia Dan dance mask has some
wonderful features to it. The adornments have not been removed as with
many mask coming from Africa. Around the jaw is cotton cloth with small vertebrae of
snake, brass bells and small leather pouches(containing prayers).
Aluminum is used for the teeth and a nail is attached to the top of the
head. The back of the mask has a woven cotton cloth that is remaining
from the original dance costume. Please note that most of the Dan mask I have
encountered have all of the charms and strength pieces removed, so this is a very nice piece.
Measuring 9" high (on csutom 12" stand) by 5" wide
by 4" deep. |
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