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One of the main characteristics of the culture of African peoples is the use of masks in rituals and ceremonies. It is believed that the earliest masks were used in Africa before Paleolithic era. They represent spirits of animals or ancestors, mythological heroes, moral values or a form of honouring of a person in a symbolic way. They are made from wood, pottery, textiles, copper, and bronze. |
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Shield (Cameroon) Traditionally used for defence and dances of celebration. Handcaved with deeply etched lines and a handhold on the back side.. This shield looks equally fantastic on one of our stands ($50 ) or when used on the wall. Approx 60cm $155 |
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Bamoun Beaded Mask Cameroon
Traditionally used for ceremonies honouring ancestral spirits and seeking favourable intervention in earthly challenges such as war and drought these bamoun Beaded Masks are made from cane weaving and carved wood, covered in material and handstitched with fine beadwork. Approx 29cm $480
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Bamoun Elephant Mask ( Cameroon) Stunning handbead work on fabric background Height : 1.26 mtr $450 Stands are available to display this item |
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Moon Mask (Cote de Ivoire)
Height approx 1.1 mtr $570.00 |
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Toma The Toma peoples land lays on the border of Guinea and Liberia. A Poro society mask it symbolises the end of the initiation period when young men are received as full members of the tribe Height approx 57cm $450 A tall floor display stand is available for this Mask |
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Beak Mask (Guinea) From the Baga people of Guinea, this form is associated with thorn billed birds symbolising caring ,kind hearted, compasionate and tolerant spirits Right 60cm length $360 Left 43cm length $320 Bottom Left length 73cm $480 Bottom Right 96cm $640 Display stands are available for these masks.
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Lege (Congo) Height : approx 23cm $350 More information is coming soon
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Konden Society Mask, Malinke (Guinee) Known as the initiation Mask in Konden Society, after initiation the young man are segregated from the village and discover the secret of the mask culture. After circumcision, they study & decipher with their elders painted symbols. These evoke the beings & rules which compose the world, & the masks & songs associated with them. Small approx 70cm $ 150.00 Medium approx 75cm $195.00 Large approx 1.10 $280.00 X Large 1.2 mtr $440 XXXL 2.2 mtr $840 |
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Matchurie ( Guinea) Height 60cm $490 |
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Bamoun (Cameroon) Height 50cm $490 |
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Bameliki (Cameroon) Height 31 cm $240 |
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Bamoun ( Cameroon) Height 43cm $425
The grassland region in Southwest Cameroon is a hilly & mountainous area divided into 90 small and independent kingdoms. The artistic production of the people living in this region is closely associated with royal & societal ceremonies. These nkang masks are usually worn during state or annual festivities. During these festivals the lead dancer wears a nkang mask featuring a false beard &coiffure split into symmetrical parts, it does not cover the face of the wearer but sits on top of a bamboo cage surrounded by a tufted collar of palm fibres. |
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Height 33cm $425 |
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Djimini (Cote de Ivoire)
Height 60cm $320 |
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Goro
The Goro is a mythic Anamorphic element of African Art.The cultivated and distinguished style of these masks superbly conveys the mythic element in African art. Their intricate carving and colouration are characteristic of the Ivory Coast. The feature chosen to crown the head of the mask is most often a bird or the horns of an animal representing a mythological being. Generally, these are masks of peace and wisdom. They are often used in ceremonies as the translator of the king to herald important announcements. Height approx 75cm $265.00
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Goro (Cote d'Ivoire)
Height approx 80cm
$320
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Baoule (Cote d'Ivoire)
From Ivory Coast, West Africa. The facial features are so refined that they seem otherworldly. Easily identified by the skilful decoration of the striated hairline. The Baoule people say emotion is expressed solely by the mouth. A pout conveys sadness. Conversely, visible teeth convey cheerfulness. Their society is matriarchal. This is perhaps why women of the masks have feminine features. They are brought out in thanks for good harvests, ceremonial practices and to honour ancient beliefs.
Height 49cm
$445
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Dogon Kanaga Mask
Over 70 anthropomorphic and zoomorphic mask types have been recorded among the Dogon. They appear mostly during dama memorial ceremonies, which were held to accompany the dead into the ancestral realm and restore order to the universe. The Kanaga Mask represents a bird known as kommolo tebu its origin tracing back to a mythical hunter who had killed one of these birds, fabricated the mask in its likeness.
Kanaga masqueraders, who generally appear in large groups, present very exciting dances.
Height 106cm
$565
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Bete
Bete carvers are renowned for one particular mask the
gre or nyabwa, which has exaggerated, grimacing distorted features . In earlier days this mask presided over ceremonies held when peace was restored after a conflict, and it participated in a session of customary justice. This mask offered protection for men going to war, instilling fear and terror in potential enemies.
Nowadays it is worn for a variety of ceremonies, including entertainment dances
Height 34cm
$550
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Boaule (Cote d'Ivoire)
From Ivory Coast, West Africa. The facial features are so refined that they seem otherworldly. Easily identified by the skillful decoration of the striated hairline. The Baole people say emotion is expressed solely by the mouth. A pout conveys sadness. Conversely, visible teeth convey cheerfulness. Their society is matriarchal. This is perhaps why women of the masks have feminine features. They are brought out in thanks for good harvests, ceremonial practices and to honor ancient beliefs.
Height approx 54cm
$530
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Height 40 cm $530 |
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Height 36cm $530 |
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Baoule (Cote d'Ivoire)
Top : Height approx 65cm $290
Bottom: Height approx 60cm $320
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Boule (Cote d'Ivoire)
From Ivory Coast, West Africa. The facial features are so refined that they seem otherworldly. Easily identified by the skillful decoration of the striated hairline. The Baole people say emotion is expressed solely by the mouth. A pout conveys sadness. Conversely, visible teeth convey cheerfulness. Their society is matriarchal. This is perhaps why women of the masks have feminine features. They are brought out in thanks for good harvests, ceremonial practices and to honor ancient beliefs.
Height R:approx 60cm $260
L: approx 50cm $260
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Bamara (Mali)
Height approx 33cm
$250
The Bamara are the largest ethnic group in Mali, until a few decades ago their masks were used during the 7 years of initiation for men.
There are two main style groups of their masks. One is characterized by an oval face with four to ten horns in a row on top like a comb, often covered with cowries or dried red berries. The other type has a ridged nose, a protruding mouth, a superstructure of vertical horns, in the middle of which or in front of which is a standing figure or an animal. The ntomo masks with thin mouths underscore the virtue of silence and the importance of controlling one’s speech.
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Height 55cm $565 |
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Boule (Cote d'Ivoire)
From Ivory Coast, West Africa. The facial features are so refined that they seem otherworldly. Easily identified by the skilful decoration of the striated hairline. The Baole people say emotion is expressed solely by the mouth. A pout conveys sadness. Conversely, visible teeth convey cheerfulness. Their society is matriarchal. This is perhaps why women of the masks have feminine features. They are brought out in thanks for good harvests, ceremonial practices and to honour ancient beliefs.
Height approx 35cm
$170
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Bete
Bete carvers are renowned for one particular mask the gre or nyabwa, which has exaggerated, grimacing distorted features. In earlier days this mask presided over ceremonies held when peace was restored after a conflict, and it participated in a session of customary justice. This mask offered protection for men going to war, instilling fear and terror in potential enemies.
Nowadays it is worn for a variety of ceremonies, including entertainment dances
Height approx 35cm
$290
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Kran (Liberia)
Height approx 55cm
$260
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Bamoun (Cameroon)
Height L: 44cm $560
R: 30cm $560 SOLD
The savannahs of west Cameroon are composed of 3 ethnic groups with ancestors in common, There are 1 million Bamelike spread throughout this region in communities comprising 50-100,000 people. The artistic production of the people living in the grasslands is closely associated with royal and societal ceremonies.
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Bamoun (Cameroon )
Height
L: 61cm $560
R: 50cm $560
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Bamoun (Cameroon)
Height
L: 56cm $560
R: 44CM $560
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Kota Relinque (Gabon
Height R: 47cm $280
Height L: 74cm $280
The Kota are a number of groups of people with different traits. They live in clans with a common lineage ancestry hench revering the relics of their ancestors. These mbulu - ngulu statues would stand guard over the ancestors remains, copper being used in adornment to enhance the ancestor's spirit with longevity & power. The reliquaries are kept outside the homes in huts on the edge of the villages.
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Bobo ( Burkina Faso) Height Approx 45cm- mask only. $520 A display stand is available for this mask. |
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Toma The Toma peoples land lays on the border of Guinea and Liberia. A Poro society mask it symbolises the end of the initiation period when young men are received as full members of the tribe Left: Height: Approx 63cm $330 Right Height: Approx 80cm $520 A stand is available for this mask.
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Nkisa Power Figure (Congo)
Height R: 47cm $180
L: 53cM $180
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