 Wood mask, 'Bobo Cane Head'
$62.95
now
on sale! $56.66
The visage of courage, this mask is a captivating personification of Bobo pride. The Bobos escaped Moshie subjugation and settled around Bobo Dioulasso, west of Burkina Faso. They are renowned for their masking traditions, for they developed several types to be worn for special celebrations, especially at funerals or when honoring the deity they call Do, to whom they pray for rain and fertile lands. This mask is hand-carved with manual tools from dried sese wood, embellished with white clay and adorned with a raffia crown. Louis K. Botchway and Bomukasa proudly present the piece, the excellence of the workmanship evident in the refined vivification of the mask. |
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 Wood mask, 'Fortuneteller'
$62.95
This mask from Benin exudes the mystical secrecy that surrounds the fortuneteller. Revered by many, the fortuneteller is gifted by the gods to divine the future and comfort the afflicted. Evans Doe Martey hand-carves this piece with delicate ease, using handmade tools that allow for finer detail. A brass plate rests atop the ample forehead, its embossed patterns similar to tribal markings. A captivating personification of the supernatural, this fortuneteller's mask is ideal for a collection of world art. |
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 Wood mask 'The Virtue of Knowledge'
$89.95
This mask of striking features represents a protective spirit that has taken an animal form. The mask originates from the beliefs and traditions of the Nuna people from Burkina Faso and represents the gift of knowledge in the face of ignorance. Evans Doe Martey carves a faithful sese wood replica of the mask and adorns it with embossed brass plates. |
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 Wood mask, 'Mossi Fertility Image'
$157.95
now
on sale! $142.16
Round eyes dominate a face from the Mossi tribe of Burkina Faso. Crowned by an elaborate headdress, the mask by Salihu Ibrahim boasts an antique finish created with white clay. This personage presides over agricultural ceremonies designed to protect fruit trees. The couple that stands above denotes fertility. |
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 Beninese wood mask, 'Fon Chieftain'
$49.95
His headdress denotes a position of authority and his demeanor is commanding. Parallel lines add length to his face and suggest ritual scarification. Meticulously crafted by Abdul Karim Star, this mask represents a ruler of Benin's Fon people and is given to the chief as a symbol of leadership and power. |
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 Wood mask, 'Mossi Protector'
$89.95
now
on sale! $80.96
Round eyes dominate a watchful face from the Mossi tribe of Burkina Faso. Divided into quadrants by perpendicular lines, the mask by Salihu Ibrahim boasts an antique finish created with white clay. Appearing on several occasions each year, this personage presides over sacrifices at the beginning of the rainy season to ensure a good millet crop and harvest of wild fruits. The mask also remains on the family shrine where it receives prayers for members of the family in need. |
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 Wood mask, 'Bobo Ram'
$134.95
now
on sale! $121.46
A symbol of purity, the ram boasts long horns that curl majestically about its head. Evans Doe Martey creates a handsome mask from the Bobo people of Burkina Faso. Spiritual purity plays a vital role in African traditions. |
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 Wood mask, 'Bwa Bush Spirits'
$124.99
Salihu Ibrahim carves a beautiful mask filled with meaning known only to initiates in the Bwa tribe of Burkina Faso. The checkerboard represents the separation of good and evil, wise from stupid, and male from female. At the top, a large white crescent denotes the moon of the masks that shines during the seasons when the masks perform. Ibrahim names the piece Nwantantay, or "Bush Spirits." Nwantantay have no natural shape and must be portrayed in abstract geometric form. The spirits embodied in the masks bless the families that own the mask and dance with it in public. |
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 Wood mask, 'Little Child'
$32.95
now
on sale! $29.66
Smooth features characterize a small child, ably depicted in a mask by Wilson Aboagye. Meticulously carved by hand and polished to a rich sheen, the personage represents the Gurunsi tribe of Burkina Faso. Aboagye names the piece Bega, which means "child." |
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 Wood mask, 'Mossi Ancestor'
$49.95
now
on sale! $44.96
Powerful and mysterious, this imposing character comes from the Mossi people of Burkina Faso. Its smooth, even contours reveal rich color that adds to its intrigue. Hand-carved by Salihu Ibrahim, the personage represents a family ancestor, each design arising from a myth that explains the mask's origin. Such masks were kept in a family shrine and received prayers and sacrifices. |
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 Burkina Faso wood mask, 'Enchanted Bird'
$132.95
now
on sale! $119.66
Believed to possess mysterious powers, this enchanted bird is never seen during the day. Whoever glimpses it during the daytime will be empowered with good fortune. Juliana Akandas transforms a legend from the Bwa tribe of Burkina Faso into a colorful mask. |
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 Burkina Faso wood mask, 'Faceless Spirits'
$109.95
now
on sale! $98.96
Featureless, this mask represents protective spirits that can take animal form or can appear as strange beings. These spirits watch over families, clans and communities. They provide for fertility, health and prosperity as well as continuity of life. Superbly carved by Salihu Ibrahim, this mask is representative of the Gurunsi people from Burkina Faso. |
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 Burkina Faso mask, 'The Entertainer'
$99.95
This mask of ornate beauty celebrates the traditions of the Fulani people. They are regarded as the "cowboys" of Dore, in Burkina Faso. When the mask is brought out, the Fulani people know it will be a day of entertainment. Abubakari Alhassan hand-carves the mask of sese wood and decorates it with embossed aluminum plates. |
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 Burkina Faso wood mask, 'Bwa Butterfly Spirit'
$99.99
Target-like circles on the face identify this ethereal winged creature as a butterfly. Gliding on white wings, the mask represents a nature spirit among the Bwa tribe of Burkina Faso. The zigzag motif around the face signifies the ancestral path which every Bwa must follow in order to master life. Salihu Ibrahim carves the elegant image from African sese wood. |
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 Beninese mask, 'Warrior Dance'
$67.95
Robert Nortey replicates the Adzogbo dance mask, which originates in Benin. Meaning "War Ritual," the Adzogbo dance is performed only by men so they may display their physical strength and prowess, as well as their spiritual power. The dance is preceded by a series of spiritual songs, and is now performed in Togo and Ghana. Nortey carves the mask from sese wood and adorns it with hand-painted motifs and embossed brass plates. |
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 Burkina Faso wood mask, 'Fortune'
$92.95
now
on sale! $83.66
Geometric motifs adorn tall horns on this dramatic mask. Meticulously carved by Salihu Ibrahim, it comes from the Bobo people of Burkina Faso. Ibrahim paints the mask by hand and rubs it with white clay, while river stones become the shining eyes. Such masks are thought to bring good fortune and are used to celebrate a bountiful harvest. |
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 Wood mask, 'Cheeky Chimp'
$72.95
now
on sale! $65.66
Salihu Ibrahim carves the image of a monkey with a cheeky smile, influenced by the artistic stylizations of the Nuna tribe. Hailing from Burkina Faso, the Nuna families and clans honor the animal spirits living in the world around them; they believe these spirits are powerful so they seek their protection and their blessings. Ibrahim uses polish and kola nut to embellish this sese wood mask. |
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 Wood mask, 'Perseverance'
$72.95
now
on sale! $65.66
Distinguished by a heavy brow and prominent cheeks, this personage speaks with elongated lips. Salihu Ibrahim explores the icons of the Nuna people of Burkina Faso, formerly Upper Volta, with this hand-carved mask. Honoring powerful animal spirits that live around them, the Nuna seek their protection and blessings. |
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 Burkina Faso wood mask, 'Fulani Tribesman'
$99.95
This imposing mask celebrates the traditions of the Fulani people. They are regarded as the "cowboys" of Dore, in Burkina Faso. When the mask is brought out, the Fulani people know it will be a day of entertainment. Abubakari Alhassan hand-carves the piece of sese wood and decorates it with embossed brass. |
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 Burkina Faso wood mask, 'Protective Spirits'
$109.95
now
on sale! $98.96
Featureless, this mask represents protective spirits that can take animal form or can appear as strange beings. These spirits watch over families, clans and communities providing fertility, health, prosperity and continuity of life. Superbly carved by Salihu Ibrahim, this mask is representative of the Gurunsi people from Burkina Faso. |
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