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Not to be confused with the Wayang Topeng mask used in a dramatic form of dance performances, this mask was used in performances and stories about the kingdom of Janggala . . . about a love story between a prince and princess. Obviously not used by the…
Continue reading → - Item Number: M-1600
- Provenance/Origin: Bali through Thailand. Age unknown
- Composition: Wood
- Dimensions: 12" tall x 5.5" at widest point
- Weight: 1 pound
- Price: $ 88.00 USD
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One of the most complex and intriguing Suku mask that I have every seen! The Suku (aka Basuku) are people from SW Congo and Northwest Angola. They speak a derivation of the Bantu language of the Niger-Congo group of languages. Suku women cultivate a root vegetable…
Continue reading → - Item Number: M-1227
- Provenance/Origin: Suku peoples. DRC. Mid-1990s
- Composition: Wood, pigment, paint, vegetal fiber, cloth
- Dimensions: Figure & Helmet: 17" tall; Total with vegetal fiber: 24" tall; Width at horns: 16"
- Weight: 8 pounds with stand
- Price: $ 890.00 USD
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Bordering on Cameroon and Gabon, the Bulu are part of the larger Fang group and share cultural similarities.
UNIQUE? Yes, because the Bulu practice the ngi ritual… where members wear this “gorilla” mask to ward off sorcery and poisonings. This anti-witchcraft society whose leadership is…
Continue reading → - Item Number: M-9174
- Provenance/Origin: Cameroon Grasslands, mid- to late- 1900s
- Composition: Wood, Wicker Binding, Kaolin Pigment
- Dimensions: 11" tall x 8" widest x 6" deep
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
- Price: $ 285.00 USD
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There are about 60,000 Salampasu people who live east of the Kasai River (bordering the DRC and Angola). History reveals that they are viewed with terror by adjacent tribes (e.g. Chokwe and Lunda). The Salampasu are governed by territorial leaders who, in turn, supervise village chiefs.…
Continue reading → - Item Number: M-8640
- Provenance/Origin: Salampasu tribe. DNC. Angola. Circa 1970s - 1980s
- Composition: Wood, copper, cord
- Dimensions: 15" tall X 8" wide x 10" deep
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
- Price: $ 365.00 USD
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Look at the dynamic carvings of this helmet mask. The high and bulging forehead is quite normal for this ethnic group. But the depth and symbolism of the carvings is quite extraordinary. I have spent some time in trying to determine the significance of this…
Continue reading → - Item Number: M-8069
- Provenance/Origin: Congo. Circa mid-1900s
- Composition: Wood and Cord
- Dimensions: 15" tall x 9" wide x 8" deep
- Weight: 2.75 pounds
- Price: $ 295.00 USD
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An object d’art wooden bird mask, with a quality suitable for a museum exhibit. Superbly carved by Chokwe artisans to honor divine ancestors. Acquired from a Pretoria South African Gallery whose owner has direct access to chiefs in the Congo. Based on my purchases and…
Continue reading → - Item Number: M-2486
- Provenance/Origin: DNC, Congo. Circa 1975 - 1900s
- Composition: Wood, pigment, woven vegetal fibers
- Dimensions: 16" tall x 12" wide x 8" deep
- Weight: 4 pounds (mask alone)
- Price: $ 1,195.00 USD
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One of the three known royal masks, the helmet Bwoom is one of the oldest mask types used by the Kuba. These were introduced in the 17th Century by King Miko mi-Mbul. Most often used in funerals, they are also used…
Continue reading → - Item Number: M-5805
- Provenance/Origin: Kuba peoples. DRC. Circa mid-1900s
- Composition: Wood. Twine and fabric.
- Dimensions: 15" tall x 14" at widest x 16" deep
- Weight: 7.5 pounds (mask alone)
- Price: $ 835.00 USD
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The largest ethnic group in Mali are the Bamara… about 2.5 million. In the northern region of the Bamara territory are the Marka (aka Warka), known for their unique and artistic masks covered with brass or copper and other adornments. The masks are generally carved with…
Continue reading → - Item Number: M-2955
- Provenance/Origin: Mali Africa. Bamara. Circa 1970's
- Composition: Brass/copper, wood, fibers, beads
- Dimensions: 16" tall x 8" wide x 6" deep
- Weight: 3.25 pounds
- Price: $ 455.00 USD
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A typical “male” Dan mask (round eye holes) known as the “fire runner” or “zakpai”. They were worn by young men who ran through the villages of the northern Dan tribes dressed in full…
Continue reading → - Item Number: M-2851
- Provenance/Origin: Northern Dan tribes. Cote D'ivoire. Mid-1900s.
- Composition: Wood and metal / textile accent pieces
- Dimensions: 9.5" tall x 5.5" wide and 3" deep
- Weight: 1.25 pounds
- Price: $ 245.00 USD
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This mask was used in a dramatic form of Indonesian dance called Topeng. Such masks are used to interpret traditional stories concerning fabled kings, heros and myths. Hand made and hand painted in the mid-1900s and acquired in Cirebon in West Java (about 200 miles east…
Continue reading → - Item Number: M-2237
- Provenance/Origin: Cirebon West Java Indonesia. Mid-1900s
- Composition: Wood, paint
- Dimensions: 13" tall x 8" wide x 2.75" deep
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Price: $ 125.00 USD
