$2,797Sale Price|20% Off
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.
Animal Skin, Organic Material, Wood
Mid 20th-Century African Helmet Mask
Located in San Francisco, CA
On offer is a Kuba Bwoom helmet mask from the Kuba Kingdom (Democratic Republic of the Congo), specifically featuring a heavily stylized ceremonial royal coiffure.
Fur, Shell, Raffia, Mirror, Wood, Feathers
Kuba Bwoom Mask
Located in Austin, TX
According to myth, Bwoom came from the north and was not a part of the Kuba kingdom.
Copper
Sold
H 12 in W 12 in D 24 in
Vintage African Bwoom Helmet Mask from the Kuba People of the Republic of Congo
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
One of the three royal masks, the Bwoom is one of the oldest mask types used by the Kuba people who live in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Bronze
Sold
H 11.25 in W 15.75 in D 9.25 in
African Kuba Bwoom Helmet Mask Kasai Democratic Republic of the Congo
Located in Forney, TX
The bwoom is one of three types of royal Kuba masks, all of which are treated as embodiments of nature spirits (mingesh).
Leather, Shell, Wood, Beads
Mende Women's Helmet Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
This helmet mask created by the Mende people of Sierra Leone was made for the women of their tribe to wear while dancing. Commissioned by women for their initiation ceremonies, the m...
Wood
A fine Kuba Mask - Rustic African Folk Art
Located in Skien, NO
Ngaady aMwaash Mask. African Antique Folk Art Kuba Mask, originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Property from a Private Collection. Acquired by a Norwegian Collector...
Softwood
Vintage Carved Wood Mask, African Folk Art 20th Century
Located in Bochum, NRW
A hand carved wood wall mask, vintage from the 20th Century. African Folk Art. Handmade and carved from a single piece of exotic wood, in a manner specific to traditional African ar...
Wood
$550
H 4.25 in W 2.25 in D 1.5 in
African Dan Passport Family Mask - Carved Wooden Mask from West Africa
Located in Chicago, IL
Created and used from the late 19th century into the 20th century, Dan passport masks served as personal talismans with spiritual connection and as portable identification symbol rep...
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
$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
$218Sale Price|60% Off
H 7.09 in W 1.19 in D 5.12 in
Vintage 1991 African Wooden Mask "Jambo Kenya" - 2Y361
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This vintage African wooden mask, titled "Jambo Kenya 1991," showcases a rich cultural design and intricate craftsmanship. Carved in Kenya, this mask is a unique representation of Af...
Wood
$4,003
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
Vintage African Tribal Mask, Hand-Crafted Wood and Shell, 1970s Art
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Intriguing good looking mask artistically made of combination of hand crafted beads ,shells , and hand painted wood. To make such a exceptional object of art for display. Custom-mad...
Shell, Wood, Beads
$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
$2,950
H 12.5 in W 6 in D 7 in
Early Salampasu Warrior's Wood Mask, Zaire, Africa, Early 20th Century ex Willis
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early carved wood Salampasu Warrior's Mask with black finish, Zaire, Africa early 20th century, remains of black and white pigments, on custom stand. Strong angular cubist mask wit...
Wood
African Helmet Mask 'Gelede' from Yoruba Nigeria
Located in San Francisco, CA
Blacked wood helmet mask (Gelede), large human head surmounted by a dog eating a snake which curves around the head. No perforation for attachment to costume from Yoruba, Nigeria. Pu...
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
Authentic Nigerian Igbo Mask
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Experience the beauty and authenticity of a 19th Century Nigerian Igbo Mask, a true cultural treasure. This stunning piece features intricate carvings and striking facial features th...
Wicker, Wood, Paint
$603Sale 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
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
$12,000 / set
H 9.85 in W 20.08 in D 14.57 in
Mappin & Webb Cutlery Set for 12 People. England, Early 20th Century
By Mappin & Webb
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Mappin & Webb silver plate cutlery set for 12 people, England, early 20th century. Complete for 12 people. A total of 130 pieces: 12 large knifes, 12 large forks and 12 large s...
Silver Plate
Orientale
By Henri Fantin-Latour
Located in New York, NY
Signed, lower right: Fantin Provenance: Gustave Tempelaere (1840–1904), Paris; possibly by descent to his son: Julien Tempelaere (1876–1961) and with F. & J. Tempelaere, Paris, prob...
Canvas, Paper, Oil
$287,941Sale Price|20% Off
H 113 in W 92 in
C19th Portrait Princesse de Joinville of Brazil - Spectacular fit for a palace
By Henri d'Ainecy Montpezat
Located in London, GB
Portrait of Princess de Joinville riding a Bay Horse Henri d’Aincy, Le Comte Monpezat (French 1817-1859) Painted circa 1837-9 oil on canvas 113 x 92 inches (including frame) 92 x 70 ...
Oil
$850
H 10.5 in W 6 in D 6 in
African Tribal Yoruba, Nigeria Rider Figure Offering Bowl Early 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early Yoruba offering bowl in the from of a male figure with a beard riding on horse back surrounded by four small attendants, finely carved with nice patina from native use. Probabl...
Wool
20th Jade Sculpture with Nine Dragon Boat **** 16 Foots Large***
Located in Miami, FL
Chinese Scrib, but handcrafted in Thailand. Sixteen feet long. Rosewood base. The sculptors of this enormous boat made of jade. You will admire the details of this vessel. The dragon...
Jade
$1,240
H 9.5 in W 9.5 in D 11 in
Powerful Scarified Makonde Portrait Helmet Mask Tanzania, Early 20th C Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Powerful Scarified Makonde portrait helmet mask from Tanzania. Early 20th century with heavy dark patina from traditional tribal use, wear inside from being used. Finely carved featu...
Wood
$216,022
H 55.12 in W 90.56 in
Magnificent early 20th Century Oil Painting of Race horses - At the Gallops
By Julius von Blaas
Located in London, GB
Julius von Blaas (1845-1923) At The Gallops circa 1905 Oil on canvas Signed and dated “Julius von Blass / 1905” (lower left) 110 x 200 cm (140 x 230 cms framed ish) This enormous an...
Oil
Large Basketry Gable Mask from Papua New Guinea
Located in Highland, IN
A beautiful and large example of Oceanic art, this delightful woven mask would have been used on the gable of a middle Sepik meeting house. The wildly expressive form is accentuated ...
Cane, Rattan, Wood
20th Century Vintage Carved Wood Mask, African Folk Art
Located in Bochum, NRW
A hand carved wood wall mask, vintage from the 20th Century. African Folk Art. Handmade and carved from a single piece of exotic wood, in a manner specific to traditional African ar...
Wood
Fine Yoruba Ibeji Female Pair African Tribal Art
Located in London, GB
Good of female Yoruba Ibeji Figures Finely carved in dense wood with linear decoration to the body Nigeria Period Early 20th century Size: 27 and 25 cm Condition: Good Fine...
Hardwood
Congolese Kuba Bwoon Helmet Mask
Located in Pasadena, TX
This piece is called a Kuba mask. It was made in Congo. Its a helmet and a mask. Its decorated with cloth, beads and shells. its nicely carved and would make a statement in your home...
Wood, Beads
African Lwalwa Tribal Mask
Located in Montreal, QC
African Lwalwa tribal mask enhanced with white pigment on the mouth and ears.
Wood
Carved Wood African Headdress on Later Iron Stand
Located in Buchanan, MI
Carved wood African headdress on later iron stand.
Wood
Hand-Carved Wood Mask on Lucite Base, Contemporary Folk Art, Africa
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional hand carved wood mask with graphic elements, made of a single piece of wood and was made for decorative purposes. Very intriguing and mysterious face. The mask in mounte...
Wood, Lucite
$1,750
H 8.5 in W 5.25 in D 2.75 in
Early Papua New Guinea Sepik Woven Raffia Talipun Mask With Pigments Custom Base
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early Papua New Guinea Sepik tightly woven raffia mask from a talipun bride price currency. Areas of white, black and red pigments. Wonderful heart shaped face with open eyes and mo...
Organic Material
Fang-Style African Painted Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
Light masks like these represented the spirit of an ancestor and were used for social control by Ngil, the judiciary association. The facial markings, abstract features and strong, e...
Wood
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.