Mask, "nimba", (D’mba) which rests on the shoulders of a male dancer who is further disguised by raffia suspended from the “shoulders” of the mask to cover the dancer’s torso. The mask represents a woman with motherly qualtities, characterized by large, pendulous breasts, a pronounced head and nose and studded coiffure. During wedding festivities in particular, the role of women’s roles are celebrated. In addition to being worn as a mask at celebrations of birth and marriage primarily, its four legs let it stand on its own between uses. Age uncertain. Carver unknown.

The Baga, live in the swampy area along the coast of Guinea. Their artistic traditiions include the creation of these easily identified headdresses and other unique forms. Baga women are responsible planting and growing rice, a primary foodstuff for the tribe. Baga men do the fishing and manage trees that provide kola nuts, which is a substance of ceremonial importance.

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African Ceremonial Mask, classic Dan style with oval eyes.

Impressive in its simplicity.

Ribbons of striped fabric material on each side - probably hand-loomed native cotton. Numerous irregularly sized and shaped holes around perimeter for holding raffia and fabric when danced.

ca. late 20th Century. Maker once known.

Acquired from Keith Barton, owner of Les Primitifs Gallery, Chicago, IL in 1980’s.
9" x 6" AGC19

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A powerful ceremonial mask of six eyes, painted wood face, raffia head dress, open mouth. From Africa’s Dan tribe, located in western Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). Age unknown, estimated at ca. 1975. Maker once known. Acquired in 2004 from Hamidu Sellah, a trusted importer of African tribal artifacts with whom we have a longstanding relationship. 11" high x 7" 20 wide. #AGDE79

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African Baule Tribe ceremonial mask, "Bo Nun Amun", helmet-style, wood, combining a gazelle face, surmounted by a snake coiled around a tuft of raffia, and a lizard in its flared-nostrils jaw. Carver Once known. Age uncertain
35" high. Acquired from an African tradesman in 2004.

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Ceremonial mask of the Baule Tribe of West Africa , elegantly carved with detailed coiffure in traditional Baule style. Half almond eyes, square mouth, scarification on brow and cheeks. Acquired in 1993, from the personal collection of Dr. Mamadou Diop MD, Senegalese physician, collector and gallery owner in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). Carver once known. Age estimated (by Dr. Diop) ca.1940s. 15" high

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Tribal Ceremonial Mask, Dan Tribe, wood, with horns, circular eyes, full lips, bone teeth protruding. Acquired 1993 from the collection of Dr. Mamadou Diop MD, Senegalese physician and African art collector living in Abidjan, C.I. Maker Unrecorded. ca 1940s
11.5" X 8" #AGH106

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Baule Tribe Ivory Coast African Ceremonial Mask, wood, vibrant red painted face, finely carved coiffure, collar secures raffia body covering.
18.5" tall. ca. 1930's. ex. Collection of Dr. M. Diop MD, a Senegalese physician, collector and gallery owner in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. AGX747

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Mask, Baule Tribe, zoomorphic, black and red paint, open mouth. Collar for attaching body-masking material (usually dried vegetable fibre. Interior bite-stick at wearer's mouth level for hands-free stability while dancing.
9.5" x 5.5"

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Ceremonial Mask, wood, Dan Poro society, traditional horn bill design, with almond-shape eyes, maker unrecorded, ca 1980s, Acquired 1988 from trusted African tribal artifact importer, Ousman Kera.
11" X 4.5" #AGW548

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African Dan Tribe Ceremonial Mask, monkey fur on hornbill, red fabric, metal eyes. Breakaway damage at top rear. ca. late 20th Century. Acquired in 1995 from Felix Weston. Maker unrecorded
10" h. + 17" beard x 6" w. #AGF072

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African ceremonial mask, wood classic Dan face, with leather and fabric head cover, decorated with cowrie shells, feathers and goat hair. Maker once known. ca. 1975, Acquired in 1991 from Ali Sellah, trusted African artifact agent.
11" high x 26" long #AGV224

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African (Gabon,) Fang tribe, mask, wood, helmet-style, four faces, black iron stand. Maker once known. Acquired 1995 from reputable African importer.
13" x 10" #AGH583

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Dogon ceremonial mask, Walu, wood, carved with six projections extending above the face, which emulates Dogon architecture. Walu is a funerary rite that is danced when an important villager passes, or periodically on behalf of all who have passed before. It is intended to accompany the deceased into the world of their ancestors. Walu is an antelope. The projections represent antelope horns. The ceremony is tied up in a legend about Walu as the protector of the sun, and who died as a result of that responsibility. The style of the mask form is similar to Dogon architecture in Mali
23" tall x 8" wide. #AGCT14

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African Ibo tribe ceremonial mask, semi-helmet, painted over face and sides. Elephant effigy in coiffure. Serpents and Colonials painted on sides and back. Acquired in 1992 from trusted Native African art importer, Hamidu Sellah. Shows evidence of native repair inside. Museum-exhibited in 1995. ca. early 1900s, per source. No record exists of the Ibo artist who created this striking example of Ibo culture.
18” x 9” #AGV356

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Ceremonial mask, monochromatic, wood, overhanging coiffure, almond slit eyes, recticulated jaw, with sticks used to replicate teeth. Artist unrecorded. Age uncertain. Acquired for this collection in 1995 from African Waterways, a dealer in African Tribal art.
8 1/2" high plus included stand

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Mask, "Ngaady a mwaash", with attenuated face.

This mask represents the daughter of Woot, who is the major god in Kuba creation. She was the wife of the first king, making her the mother of all Kuba royalty.

Lines painted as running down the cheeks symbolize tears of pain and joy.
Cap of raffia fiber with cowrie shells. Facial scarification paint. Blue and yellow vertical beading. Black and white beads around mouth.

Acquired in 2000 from online vendor. Provenance begins with acquisition in 2000. Age uncertain. Carver once kknown. 18" high x 8" wide #AGD305

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African Lele tribe mask, attenuated face. Cut raffia hair. Natural hair beard. Cowrie shell and bead trim.

This is an older piece, precise age uncertain. Acquired 1996 from Hamidu Sellah, a trusted African importer. Carver unrecorded.
19" high, including stand.

Face masks like the one shown here are augmented with full-body costumes to complete the manifestation of spirits that serve as intermediaries between the Supreme Being and the people.

Masking ceremonies and dances are usually associated with manhood initiations and funerals, events of great significance to the people.
19” high #AGF414

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African Kuba tribe ceremonial mask, wood, raffia coiffure, copper repousse' with beads hanging from the finely etched face plate, which emulates scarification. Maker once known. Acquired in 1991 from Hamidu Sellah, trusted African native vendor, who estimated age as ca. 1960s.
16" X 9" x 9" deep #AGV115

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Ceremonial helmet mask from Senoufo tribe, helmet with horns, embedded cowrie shells, fabric and figures. Maker once known. Acquired in 1992 from Ali Sillah, who estimated the age at ca.1960s.
16" x 9" diameter #AGX252

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Senoufo helmet mask, wood, featuring a single large bird hosting four smaller birds pegged in wings.

This ensemble of birds is similar to a traditional Senoufo staff that is posted in the field to give incentive to boys who work there.

The most productive worker receives this mask as recognition of his achievement.

We acquired this treasure of African tribal art personally in 1990 from El Hadj in the Senoufo village of Korhogo, Cote d’Ivoire, Africa. He estimated its age as mid-20th Century.

24” high x 12” wide, Shipped Free within the 48 mainland United States.

The small birds are detached from the larger bird for storage. #AGV234

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Vintage African Yoruba crown, beaded, conical with bead veil, surmounted by beaded birds, on stand. Approx. 40" from tip of bird to base of veil. Acquired in 1998 from Hamidu Sellah, who estimated age at late 1900s. Maker once known.

This vintage Yoruba Tribe beaded crown (adenla) is from Nigeria, West Africa. When a Yoruba oba, dons an adénlá, it is a ritual signifying that the oba is connected to his ancestors and gods.

The beaded veil is intended to shield observers from the immense spiritual power emanating from eye contact with the oba. The birds represent Okin the royal Bird. and are symbolic of older women in the tribe who provide council to the oba.
40” h #AGE481

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Ceremonial mask from Yoruba people of Nigeria. Conical top, painted with multi-colored facial features, wicker base. Please

Note: the mask shows significant insect damage on the rear side from infestation at some time in the past. Maker once known. Acquired in 1997 from Hamidu Sellah, who estimated age at ca1995.
22" Tall. #AGEF553

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Ceremonial mask, traditional Egungun style, hare & hunter, used in parts of the Yoruba ceremonies.

Acquired in 1990 from the private collection of Bruce Green, Naples, Florida. who estimated its age at ca1950s. Carver once known.

Exhibited at the Norton Museum in Palm Beach, Florida.
15" high x 6 1/4" x 7 1/2"

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African Yoruba mask, Gelede, painted with multi- colored facial features. calabash base, fabric collar with cowrie shells. Four conical coiffure features. Maker unrecorded. Age uncertain but known to be at least ca1999, since that was the year we acquired it.
15 1/2" Tall x 11 1/2" x 16" #AGE722

African Bassa mask, Janus faced, Bundu society, wood. Maker once known. ca. 20th Century. Acquired 1992
17" X 10" x 13" deep. #AGx121

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Mask, Bobo tribe leopard effigy, with puppet action for legs. Bobo people are located primarily in Burkina Faso, central Africa.
26" x 11" #AGDE31

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African Cameroun Grasslands dance mask, wood, water buffalo effigy. Maker once known, ca 1970s, Acquired 1980

Please Note: As is often the case when wood from the tropics moves to dryer climes, there has been some serious cracking and loss along the top of the head. Low price reflects this natural deterioration.
33.5" X 14" wide #AGW097

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Africa, Burkina Faso. Gurunsi Nafana mask, plank style, with large open circle in the superstructure over a trapezoidal face. Red abrus seeds around the eyes.

These masks were worn on the top of the head and danced to ward off evil spirits from affecting the village.

Maker once known. Age unknown. Acquired it in 2001, affirming its age as just under vintage. Online source Krillin.
.39 1/2" X 18" #AGD481

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African Guro tribe (Cote d’Ivoire) mask, wood, top piece, with collar holes for suspending a fabric/raffia covering over the wearer's body. Woman's nocturnal dance mask in the shape of a chameleon.

Age uncertain. Carver once known. Acquired from the collection of Dr. Mamadu Diop MD, Senegalese physician, collector and gallery owner in 1992 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. He estimated the age at ca1930s.
4 1/2" high #AGX770

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African Pende Tribe of Congo, mask, wood with scarification and teeth showing, raffia coiffure and woven raffia beard, Maker once known, Est. age ca.1945. Acquired by us in 1990.

Masks carved, adorned and worn by Pende tribe members are some of the most evocative works of all African tribal art.  

They appear in ceremonies that accompany agricultural events, initiation rituals marking the passage of boys to men, and the ritual installation of chiefs.

In Pende culture, however, chiefs are primarily honorific and social control is provided by families rather than tribal leaders.
19" x 12", face 8" #AGW976

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