African Masks | African Tribal Masks

A portrait mask, signifying a beautiful woman, these masks were danced for entertainment. included on this mask are the scarifications on the cheeks that once typified the Baule (baule ngole) but no longer exist. Following independence, the government proscribed them in order to eliminate signs of ethnicity and bring all Ivoirians into a single people.
PRICE: $214.99

This type of mask, explicitly depicting a specific person, is exceedingly rare in Africa. These ndoma, which in Baule language means "double", "replica", "equivalence" or "copy", are designed as true portraits of real people living in the village and are given names. Which people have been thus honored? Social status is the deciding factor, whether in the case of a beautiful woman from a family with means, or an old man with a magnificent beard, whose prestige is acquired through a series of valorous hunting expeditions. A mask of this kind is not commissioned by the person it prepresents, but rather by a group of admirers, who pay the sculptor to make an effigy of the "beautiful woman" or the old man to honor them.
PRICE: $229.99

The Chokwe Pwo African art mask is a female mask. When masqueraded, the performance which is for entertainment, a comedy of manners or social satire, is very popular and is open to every one. In present times, it is mostly masqueraded at Christmas celebrations, political rallies or workshops on rural development run by NGOs.
PRICE: $519.99

The Chokwe Pwo African art mask is a female mask. When masqueraded, the performance which is for entertainment, a comedy of manners or social satire, is very popular and is open to every one. In present times, it is mostly masqueraded at Christmas celebrations, political rallies or workshops on rural development run by NGOs.
PRICE: $519.99

These masks of the Dan people, known as Gunyege masks were also called "racer masks". Historically, these masks were used in a game of chase, where the mask wearer would be chased, and when caught would be beaten. It taught agility to the young warriors.
PRICE: $199.99

The Ngil masks of the Fang tribe represent a masquerading tradition that waned over sixty years ago. They are worm by members of male Ngil society during the initiation of new members and the persecution of wrong-doers. Masqueraders clad in raffia costumes and attended by helpers would materialize in the village after dark, illuminated by flickering torchlight.
PRICE: $209.99

This Bongo Dance Mask was used by Kuba masqueraders and was danced in initiation rites and funeral ceremonies. This is a rare mask with a beautiful aged and antique petina.
PRICE: $169.99

Ekuk means both “protective forest spirit” and “children of beete.” It displays a flat surface and often has a whitened heart-shaped face, a triangular nose, coffee-bean eyes and small or non-existent mouth. This mask, with two large horns, represents the antelope. The faces are usually painted in white kaolin earth, a pigment associated by the Kwele with light and clarity, the two essential factors in the fight against evil.
PRICE: $209.99

Ekuk means both “protective forest spirit” and “children of beete.” It displays a flat surface and often has a whitened heart-shaped face, a triangular nose, coffee-bean eyes and small or non-existent mouth. This mask, with two large horns, represents the antelope. The faces are usually painted in white kaolin earth, a pigment associated by the Kwele with light and clarity, the two essential factors in the fight against evil.
PRICE: $192.99

Ekuk means both “protective forest spirit” and “children of beete.” It displays a flat surface and often has a whitened heart-shaped face, a triangular nose, coffee-bean eyes and small or non-existent mouth. This mask, with two large horns, represents the antelope. The faces are usually painted in white kaolin earth, a pigment associated by the Kwele with light and clarity, the two essential factors in the fight against evil.
PRICE: $192.99

Ekuk means both “protective forest spirit” and “children of beete.” It displays a flat surface and often has a whitened heart-shaped face, a triangular nose, coffee-bean eyes and small or non-existent mouth. This mask, with two large horns, represents the antelope. The faces are usually painted in white kaolin earth, a pigment associated by the Kwele with light and clarity, the two essential factors in the fight against evil.
PRICE: $209.99

The Kwele Bwete association used masks resembling a human face, known as pibibuze, in initiation and funeral ceremonies. This beautiful mask will transform your African Art collection.
PRICE: $159.99

This type of mask, explicitly depicting a specific person, is exceedingly rare in Africa. These ndoma, which in Baule language means "double", "replica", "equivalence" or "copy", are designed as true portraits of real people living in the village and are given names.
PRICE: $229.99

PRICE: $164.99

The okuyi or mukuyi African mask, originating from the Punu in southwest Gabon, represents and idealized female face. Indicated by the scarification on the face area, consisting of nine dots, and according to some, have a sexual connotation. Another sign of female gender is the coiffure.
PRICE: $189.99