African Nigerian Large Igbo Wood Carved Folk Art Maiden Spirit Mask Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
This finely carved wood mask/sculpture is from the mid-20th century (possible earlier) and was made by the Igbo People of Southeastern Nigeria.
Wood, Paint
African Wooden Female Igbo Agbogo Tribal Mask Brown-Red-Beige Nigeria 1970s
Located in Salzburg, AT
Tribal African Igbo Agbogo mwo mask This African Igbo mask, known as a "young girl", is decorated with a tangle of thick braids and fulfils the most important traditional aesthetic...
Wood, Paint
African Nigerian Igbo Wood Carved Maiden Spirit Mask Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A finely carved mask from the early to mid-1900s made by the Igo People of Southeastern Nigeria. Agbogho, or "maiden spirit" are worn strictly by men at funeral processions or ag...
Wood, Paint
African Nigerian Igbo Carved Maiden Mask Sculpture on Stand
Located in Studio City, CA
This finely carved mask is from the early to mid-20th century and was made by the Igbo People of Southeastern Nigeria. Agbogho mmwo, or "maiden spirit," masks are worn strictly by...
Wood, Paint
African ‘Nigerian’ Igbo Carved Maiden Mask/ Sculpture on Stand
Located in Studio City, CA
This finely carved mask is from the early to mid-20th century and was made by the Igbo People of Southeastern Nigeria. Agbogho mmwo, or "maiden spirit," masks are worn strictly by...
Wood
$800
H 15.5 in W 9 in D 4 in
African Gabon Late 20th Century Carved Wood Galwa Mask with Encircling Snake
Located in Queens, NY
African Gabon Late 20th Century carved wood Galwa mask in tapered ovoid form with overlapping brow, protruding angular nose, geometric eye and mouth holes, 2 side holes plus a styliz...
Mid 20th Century Hand Carved African Fertility Mask, Akan People
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very decorative fertility mask by the Baule tribe, associated with the Akan people who live both in Ghana and in the Ivory Coast. The sides with three small holes on either side pr...
Wood
$589Sale Price / item|46% Off
H 15.36 in Dm 5.91 in
African Katanda Mask – Lega Tribe, DR Congo – Mid 20th Century
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Bring a piece of African heritage into your space with this authentic vintage Katanda mask from the Lega people of DR Congo. Hand-carved in the mid-20th century, this tribal mask is ...
Hardwood
$3,914
H 12.6 in W 6.7 in D 3.15 in
Very Rare African Dagara Mask Ngbaka People DR Congo Early to Mid 20th Century
Located in Meer, VAN
Very rare African Dagara mask Ngbaka people. Africa, Congo, early to mid 20th century A beautiful early to mid 20th century African so called 'Dagara’ mask from the Ngbaka and Mbanj...
Wood
$1,250
H 14 in W 7.5 in D 7.75 in
African Songye Luba Congo Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe Wood Carved Ceremonial Dance Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful hand carved wood Kifwebe mask created by the Songye and Luba peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kifwebe mask are used by the Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe secret socie...
Wood, Paint
Highly Decorative Wood African Mask
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Highly Decorative Wood African Mask
Wood
$2,600
H 26 in W 9 in D 10.25 in
Antique Congolese African Tribal Carved Hemba Helmet Mask, Suku Peoples
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce antique African tribal carved Hemba helmet mask, the Suku peoples, possibly Kwese culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa, early 20th century, surmounted b...
Raffia, Wood
Antique Hand-Carved Liberian Wood Mask with Aged Patina, West Africa
Located in New York, NY
This hand-carved Liberian mask brings depth and focus to a space. Its elongated form and pared-back features make this piece unique and special. It is ready-to-hang on a wall of your...
Wood
$2,808
H 12.6 in W 7.88 in D 6.7 in
Rare Early to Mid 20th Century African Bena Lulua Mask Kasai Region
Located in Meer, VAN
Rare Early to Mid 20th Century African Bena Lulua Mask Kasai Region A rare Bena Lulua mask from the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dating to the early to mid ...
Wood, Paint
$156Sale Price|20% Off
H 9 in W 5.25 in D 1 in
Vintage Hand-Carved African Wood Mask Sculpture from Mid-20th Century
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage African Wood Decorative Mask Sculpture. Hand-carved African Mask from Ghana. African decorative wall mask sculpture, hand-carved of sese wood with intricate patterns. The Afr...
Wood
Large Vintage 2 ft Tall African Hand Carved Wood Wall Mask
Located in Bochum, NRW
Large vintage hand-carved from one piece of solid wood African Tribal mask richly decorated with intricate tribal motifs. Beautifully hand carved, painted details, it has a hook, re...
Wood
$907
H 12.21 in W 8.27 in D 5.12 in
Authentic Punu Mask from Gabon, Tribal Art, Hand-Carved Wooden Ceremonial Mask
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Add a rare and culturally rich statement piece to your collection with this superb vintage Punu Mask originating from Gabon, dating back to the late 20th century. Known for their se...
Kaolin, Hardwood, Padouk
$2,723Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.82 in W 9.45 in D 15.75 in
Kuba Mask African Bwoom Tribal Congo in Wood, Vibrates Vegetables, Animal Hair
Located in Milano, IT
The African Kuba Bwoom tribal mask is the oldest known mask, the Kuba bwoom mask. The materials used for the realization of the Mask are: Wood, colors and vibrates plants, caures, be...
Animal Skin, Organic Material, Wood
African Congo 20th Century Songye Kfwebe Mask, Carved Wood Design
Located in Queens, NY
African Congo 20th Century wood Songye Kfwebe Face Mask (to ward off supernatural threats) carved in circular form with painted decorative geometric grooves, an inlaid beaded pattern...
Paint
$725
H 9.65 in W 6.7 in D 0.02 in
Early 20th Century Hand-Carved Wood Tribal Mask from Atoni Tribe Timor
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This very flat mask originates from the Atoni people of Timor, featuring two very small eye holes. For the Timorese people masks portray both male and female ancestors, worn by warri...
Wood
African Kifwebe Mask with Pigmented Decoration, Songye People
Located in Nottingham, GB
Among the most iconic sculptural traditions of Central Africa, the Kifwebe masks of the Songye people are celebrated for their striking abstraction and powerful ceremonial presence. ...
Wood
Travertine Eclipse Bowl XL
By Kiwano Concept
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Expertly crafted and finished by hand, our travertine bowls are a study in sculptural simplicity. This beige Travertine Eclipse Bowl XL is stunning with its timeless esthetic in natu...
Travertine
$1,804
H 21.66 in W 11.82 in D 11.42 in
French Tripod Stool by Adrien Audoux & Frida Minnet, Oak, 1950s
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A beautifully sculptural French tripod stool attributed to Audoux-Minet, dating from the 1950s. The three broad oak slats form a simple yet remarkably graphic structure, supporting a...
Oak
$3,619Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.6 in W 6.3 in D 5.71 in
Tall Vintage Tribal Figure, South American Crystal, Totem, Ornament, Mid Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a tall vintage tribal figure. A South American, carved crystal and gilt metal decorative totemic ornament, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Distinctive tribal fi...
Metal
$6,100
H 29 in W 72 in D 24 in
Paul Tuttle 'Chariot' Leather Chaise Lounge Chair for Strassle International
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Tuttle 'Chariot' chaise lounge, c.1972 Leather, chrome-plated steel, lacquered steel. Manufactured by Strassle International, USA / Switzerland. With additional Carmel Sheepsk...
Chrome
$2,062Sale Price|25% Off
H 32 in W 56 in D 22.5 in
Dutch Rococo Style Chinoiserie Walnut Serpentine Bombe Chest By White Furniture
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a Dutch Rococo style chinoiserie bombe chest by White Furniture. It is a double bombe walnut chest with carved serpentine front. It has gilt chinoiserie details, and tongue i...
Brass
"Cyclo" Travertine Bowl
By Kiwano Concept
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Introducing CYCLO, a versatile and elegantly crafted bowl made from premium marble stone. CYCLO blends natural beauty with functional design, making it a perfect addition to any spac...
Travertine
$440,922
H 70.87 in W 125.99 in D 2.17 in
Giant Crocodile Fossil Wall Plate, Germany. 180 Million Years Old.
Located in London, GB
This outstanding fossilised skeleton is that of the ancestral crocodile species Steneosaurus bollensis that lived during the early Jurassic period. The skeleton, complete with armour...
Other
$3,490 / item
H 35 in W 86 in D 40 in
Modern English Sofa in Chestnut Brown in Faux Velvet Mohair with Down Cushion
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Introducing Our Modern English Sofa in beautiful rich Chestnut color. This piece is designed to be the centerpiece of your living space, combining contemporary elegance with classic ...
Cotton, Velvet, Wood, Oak, Down
$853Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 8.08 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
Dorothy Thorpe. Post-Modern candle holders by Elaine Bscheider, USA, 1970s
By Elaine Bscheider, Dorothy Thorpe
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Pair of Post-Modern candle holders designed by Elaine Bscheider for Dorothy Thorpe Inc., USA, 1970s. Prezel-shaped body in transparent methacrylate/acrylic with chrome-plated golden ...
Metal, Chrome
$3,900
H 6.5 in W 5 in D 5 in
Art Nouveau Gres Bijou Butterfly & Spiderweb Gourd-Shaped Vase by RStK Amphora
By Reissner Stellmacher & Kessel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standard parcel services are an option, the defau...
Earthenware, Glass
$2,500Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.85 in W 4.53 in D 3.35 in
Vintage Totemic Figure, South American, Carved Crystal, Gilt Metal, Tribal Art
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage totemic figure. A South American, carved crystal and gilt metal decorative tribal ornament, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Fascinating tribal figure ...
Metal
$3,600
H 62 in W 40 in D 8 in
Imposing 19th-Century Gilt Sailor's Pricket with Mounted Natural Sea Fan- 62"H
Located in New York, NY
This striking and unusual piece showcases a large, natural sea fan meticulously mounted on an impressive 19th-century gilt sailor’s pricket, standing an impressive 62" tall. The pric...
Coral
Purple and pink Fluorite sculpture decorative object Tabletop
Located in London, GB
Behold the dazzling beauty of this multi-colored fluorite specimen from the USA, featuring a rich palette of violet hues interspersed with transparent areas and edges adorned with a ...
Crystal, Quartz
$19,770 / item
H 33.47 in W 82.68 in D 33.08 in
Brutalist Sculptural Shearling Sofa with Bronze and Brass Details, Egg Designs
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
A bold expression of Brutalist design softened by tactile luxury, this sculptural sofa embodies the evolving language of contemporary collectible furniture. Defined by its generous p...
Brass
$1,123
H 10.04 in W 9.26 in D 3.55 in
Hand-Carved Stone Candelabra, Three-Branched Design, Morocco 1970s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Hand-Carved Stone Candelabra, Three-Branched Design, Morocco 1970s Moroccan candleholder carved from stone and adorned with very thin geometric patterns on both sides. Artisanal wo...
Stone, Limestone, Soapstone
$8,260
H 60 in W 41 in
Egyptian "Tree of Life" Tapestry, Influenced by the Ramses Wissa Wassef Workshop
By Ramses Wissa Wassef Workshop
Located in Dallas, TX
79065 Vintage Egyptian Tapestry, 03'08 x 05'10. This vintage Egyptian tapestry is a testament to the rich tapestry tradition of the Ramses Wissa Wassef Art Center, located in Harrani...
Wool
Today, art enthusiasts and venturesome interior designers find a lot to love and appreciate about antique and vintage masks, particularly as they have earned a distinct place amid a collection of folk art and other collectibles and curiosities in contemporary homes.
Folk art refers to art that people, not classically trained, created for either utilitarian or decorative purposes. With respect to visual art in folk art, it is typically reflective of a community’s culture and usually handmade by craftspeople working within a popular tradition. Masks, as part of this history, have been used in carnivals, theater, medicine, therapy, religion and more. The use of masks in rituals and sacred ceremonies goes back thousands of years, and masks in general are believed to be much older. And all kinds of other uses have been found for masks and face coverings over time. We have enlisted these accessories for protection, to signal modesty, facilitate flirtation, enable licentiousness or simply to look cool.
Archaeologists found a mask in Palestine that is believed to be 9,000 years old, a Neolithic-era stone mask that may have been part of rituals associated with the worship of ancestors. Some tribal masks are worn as an offering to the gods. Masks are among the most important African art forms, for example, and traditional African masks can be used to lend a concrete form to an invisible spirit. Dancers donning wooden tribal masks celebrate important events to honor their deceased ancestors. These masks are also very important devices for storytelling and sharing the oral history of a community.
For Asian artists, specific colors are used in masks to convey different values and ideas. In Japan, a red Oni mask worn by performers during a festival might signify anger, while in China’s Peking Opera, a mask that has been hand-painted gold would be worn by an immortal.
Mexican craftspeople make masks for traditional celebrations and ceremonial dances. Mexican masks are part of the country’s folk-art traditions that go back thousands of years and play a role in festivals and theater. A common symbol of the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead is a skull, which is widely represented in masks (although the innumerable activities associated with the holiday are by no means universal).
We’re inviting you to explore and pay respect to the long folk-art traditions that underpin mask-making by introducing antique and vintage masks to your space. Find an exciting collection on 1stDibs today.
At Waddesdon Manor, artist Joana Vasconcelos has installed a three-tiered patisserie inspired by the narrative tile work of her homeland. We take a look at the cake sculpture and how Portuguese tiles have been used in architecture from the 17th century to today.
The streets of fin-de-siècle Paris were set aglow with colorful poster ads, thanks to the printing techniques invented by Jules Chéret. Now, the Milwaukee Art Museum is celebrating this undersung talent in America's first solo show dedicated his exuberant works.
Expert Jeff Bridgman explains the history and meaning behind the twinkling constellations that have graced Old Glory.
The iconoclastic style setter displayed African and Oceanic art, as well as works by indigenous peoples of the Americas, alongside pieces by such major modernists as Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock.
Perfect for July 4th weekend, a new show at Philadelphia's Museum of the American Revolution displays an array of antique red, white and blue flags.
Designers are beginning to see this enigmatic form of folk art in a whole new light.