 Benin mask, 'Ghost Spirit'
$69.95
Nii Okaija Annan carves a mask of fearsome beauty that represents a ghost, according to Benin traditions. Highly expressive, this mask is used to invoke the spirits of ancestors. The mask is carved of quality sese wood and adorned with embossed brass plates that mirror the facial artistry of the Benin people, of northern Ghana. |
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 Beninese mask, 'Warrior Dance'
$69.95
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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 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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 Burkina Faso wood mask, 'Enchanted Bird'
$132.95
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, 'Fortune'
$92.95
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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 Burkina Faso wood mask, 'Protective Spirits'
$129.95
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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 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, 'Bobo Cane Head'
$62.95
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, 'Bobo Ram'
$134.95
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'
$124.95
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, 'Bwa Butterfly Spirit'
$97.95
Target-like circles on the face identify this ethereal winged creature as a butterfly. Gliding on soft 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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 Wood mask, 'Earth Goddess Spirits'
$104.95
Portrayed in a mask, ancestral spirits of the earth goddess grace a beautiful design by Salihu Ibrahim. Named Bayiri, it refers to small sculptures of the female bush spirits among the Bwa tribe of Burkina Faso. Such spirits have no natural shape and must be portrayed in abstract geometric form. These feminine spirits are associated with human fertility. |
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 Wood mask, 'Great Monkey Spirit'
$74.95
Salihu Ibrahim carves the vivid visage of a monkey, influenced by the artistic stylizations of the Nuna tribe. Hailing from Burkina Faso, the Nuna families and clans honor the animal spirits living around them; they believe these spirits are powerful so they seek their protection and blessings. Ibrahim uses polish and kola nut to embellish this sese wood mask. |
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 Wood mask, 'Little Child'
$37.95
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
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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 Wood mask, 'Mossi Protector'
$87.95
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, 'Perseverance'
$72.95
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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 Wood mask, 'Wise Elder Chief'
$49.95
His tightly braided hair turned gray, an elderly chief exudes wisdom. White whiskers cover his cheeks and cascade from his chin. Using sese wood, paint and dark tan polish, Victor Yao Delanyo creates a mask in the style of Benin. He names it Oba, which means "ruler;" such masks symbolize the strength of the kingdom of Benin and are worn by chiefs. |
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