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Masks/Headdresses
African masks are fascinating and their variety and magic are unique. Masks should not be considered separately from the costumes that maskers wear or the dances that are performed.
The majority of African masks have closed eyes, that is, they are closed to this world and open to the spirit world.
Masks were generally worn and the dances were performed by men.
African masks will make a plain wall come alive by creating interest and texture. Grouped together they make a rivetting display.
Makonde Breast (5)
Price: £145.00+delivery prices as below
Mainland UK £7.50
Europe by arrangement
Rest of World by arrangement
This wonderful and special body mask comes from the Makonde people from southern Tanzania. It is carved from wood with breasts, protruding navel and swollen stomach is adorned with raised tattoos and represents a young pregnant woman (amwali ndembo). This body mask is used during the initiation ceremony of adolescent boys and girls. The mask forms part of a costume of a male dancer who wears a matching female mask to protect his identify. Together with a male mask figure, he performs a mesmerizing dance that includes the dramatisation of the burdens of pregnancy and the agonies of childbirth.
These body masks look particularly good when mounted on its own custom made stand or mounted on a wall in groups of two's or three's.
Measurements: 65cm long 33cm at it's widest point
Afikpo mask
Price: £150.00+delivery prices as below
Mainland UK FREE
Europe by arrangement
Rest of World by arrangement
This unusual mask originates in Nigeria. The Afikpo are a subgroup of the Igbo people. The mask is used by dancers during the yam harvest ceremonies and other important functions. Among the Afikpo, putting on a mask transforms the performer into a spirit (mma).
The name, mma ji, means "knife-yam" and is a reference to the knife- or machete-like form that surmounts the mask. It is worn by older boys who wear the mba costume in okumkpa performances.
Measurements: 53cm high 20cm widest point
Bobo cow mask
Price: £150.00+delivery prices as below
Mainland UK £10.00
Europe by arrangement
Rest of World by arrangement
This mask originates from the Bobo peoples, of Burkina Faso, West Africa. Carved from a single piece of wood it is decorated with intricate multi-dimensional geometric designs and zoomorphic motifs. To the peoples of Burkina, the bull represented power and cunning while the circles around the mask's eyes are intended to evoke an owl, thus symbolizing magic power from the spirit world. The alternating use of dark and light patterns depicts teaching and rites of passage; the dark representing the elders, with the light symbolizing the younger, untrained initiates.
Kuba kipoko mask (large)
Price: £375.00+delivery prices as below
Mainland UK £10.00
Europe by arrangement
Rest of World by arrangement
This is a large, striking Kipoko mask, which is hard-to-find. It has been made by the Kuba people of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been finished with cowrie shells and raffia.
It symbolises the power of the ancestors and the positive aspects of the Chief.
The enlarged eyes are thought to reflect watchfulness. The small mouth is thought to suggest that the Chief should choose his words carefully.
Measurements: approx 46cms high including raffia.
Tji Wara (5)
Price: £275.00+delivery prices as below
Mainland UK £15.00
Europe by arrangement
Rest of World by arrangement
The Bamana people of Mali believe that a mythical farming antelope named Tji Wara (also known as Chi-Wara) taught their ancestors to farm successfully. Bamana Tji Wara from the Seguo Region in mali, is part antelope and part man. They are worn as headdresses and danced as pairs by two male dancers wearing one male and one female headdress. The male represents the sun the female represents the earth. Although they are a number of different Tji Wara's they all display a highly abstract body, often incorporating a zig-zag motif, which represents the sun's course from east to west, and a head with two long horns which represent the millet that is harvested. The Tji wara is one of the secret societies of the Bamana people. The Tji wara dance was originally a religious ceremony. Now, for many of the Bamana people the celebration takes place at the time of planting and harvesting.
Measurements: 88cm high and the head is 85cm long.
Mende Sowei mask (2)
Price: £350.00+delivery prices as below
Mainland UK £15.00
Europe by arrangement
Rest of World by arrangement
This large and beautiful helmet mask comes from Sierra Leone. It comes from the female Bundu / Sande society which is responsible for directing the inititaion of young women. It is very unusual in that it is worn by women and as such is virtually unique in Africa. Although women throughout Africa often act as intermediaries between the spirit world and the earthly world, there are no other known examples of women using masks.
The masks are intended to evoke beautiful and wealthy women - featuring elaborate hairstyles and folds of flesh around the neck (a sign of prosperity). During the initiation, young girls are taught manners, hygiene and child rearing skills. This mask has been carved from a single piece of wood and would grace any room.
It comes complete with a custom made stand.
Measurements: 41cm high
Grebo
Price: £175.00+delivery prices as below
Mainland UK £10.00
Europe by arrangement
Rest of World by arrangement
There is little information on the masking traditions of the Grebo and the Kru. These masks feature several pairs of protruding cylindrical eyes, a long straight nose and protruding mouth.
Evidence has now transpired that indicates that it originated from the neighbouring Kru before being produced by the Grebo. It is thought that the multiple pair of eyes convey the mask’s power to see hidden things or represent ancestors. Many of these masks were used for entertainment purposes or for male societies.
Measurements: 49cm high 23cm wide.
Bwa hawk mask (4)
Price: £175.00+delivery prices as below
Mainland UK £7.50
Europe by arrangement
Rest of World by arrangement
A wondeful, large hawk mask from the Bwa people of Mali / Burkina Faso. Of the Bwa wooden masks, the bird masks and butterflies are the most abstract, consisting of a broad, horizontal plank, decorated with large geometric patterns. The mouth projects from the centre and there is a large hook representing the hornbill's beak. Butterflies are symbols of new life brought by moisture in the spring, for they hatch and cluster around pools left by the first rains of the year.
The masks appear at important funerals to honor the dead and escort their soul to the world beyond. They also dance at agricultural festivities to ensure the proper progression of the seasons, and at initiation rituals to help introduce young men and women to the secrets and responsibilities of adulthood.
Measurements: 95cm length 25cm width
Lulua Mask
Price: £130.00+delivery prices as below
Mainland UK £10.00
Europe by arrangement
Rest of World by arrangement
This mask originated from the Lulua people and has been carved from a single piece of wood. It has raised tribal motifs. The Lulua people come from the Democratic Republic of Congo. These masks are rarely seen. This one comes with a purpose made heavy duty display stand.
Measurements: 22cm high 17cm widest point
