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Sierra Leone Mask

Mende Women's Helmet Mask
Mende Women's Helmet Mask

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.

Category

Mid-20th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

Mende Sowei Bundu Helmet Mask, Sande Society, Sierra Leone
Mende Sowei Bundu Helmet Mask, Sande Society, Sierra Leone

Mende Sowei Bundu Helmet Mask, Sande Society, Sierra Leone

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Carved from a single piece of hardwood, this Sowei helmet mask represents the Sande society's ritual use among the Mende people of Sierra Leone.

Category

20th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

African Sierra Leone Contemporary Carved & Painted Wood Temne Headcrest Mask
African Sierra Leone Contemporary Carved & Painted Wood Temne Headcrest Mask

African Sierra Leone Contemporary Carved & Painted Wood Temne Headcrest Mask

Located in Queens, NY

African Sierra Leone Contemporary (Early 2000s) carved wood openwork Temne Headcrest mask features a capped male figure at top grasping 2 serpents, followed by a pair or rams horns a...

Category

20th Century African Tribal Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Horn

Recent Sales

Fine 'Sowei' Mask. Mende, Sierra Leone
Fine 'Sowei' Mask. Mende, Sierra Leone

Fine 'Sowei' Mask. Mende, Sierra Leone

Unavailable

H 17.72 in W 11.42 in D 11.82 in

Fine 'Sowei' Mask. Mende, Sierra Leone

Located in London, GB

This fine Mende ‘Sowei’ mask was worn exclusively by women. The mask represents an ideal of feminine beauty admired by the Mende: elaborate hairstyles, full forehead, small facial fe...

Category

Mid-20th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

African Mende Helmut Mask
African Mende Helmut Mask

African Mende Helmut Mask

Unavailable

H 14 in W 7 in D 9 in

African Mende Helmut Mask

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Carved Helmut masks of this type were made by the Sande society of the Mende people of Sierra Leone, Africa for use in masquerades by young women in initiation rites on their passage...

Category

20th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

A Mende Sowei Mask
A Mende Sowei Mask

A Mende Sowei Mask

Unavailable

H 13 in W 9.06 in D 9.45 in

A Mende Sowei Mask

Located in Paris, ile de france

a Mende Sowei Mask,Sierra Leone : The Sande society is exclusively a womans society responsible for the initiation of young girls into womanhood and instructing them on the duties th...

Category

Vintage 1930s Sierra Leonean Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Mende Women's Helmet Mask
Mende Women's Helmet Mask

Mende Women's Helmet Mask

Sold

H 12.5 in W 7.5 in D 8.5 in

Mende Women's Helmet Mask

Located in Chicago, IL

This helmet mask created by the Mende of Sierra Leone was made for the women of their tribe to wear while dancing.

Category

Mid-20th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

African Mende Carved Wood Helmet Mask
African Mende Carved Wood Helmet Mask

African Mende Carved Wood Helmet Mask

Sold

H 16 in W 9.25 in D 9.5 in

African Mende Carved Wood Helmet Mask

Located in Astoria, NY

African Mende Carved Wood Helmet Mask, together with Segy Gallery documentation, atop a square ebonized wood base. Overall: 16" H x 9.25" W x 9.5" D. Provenance: Segy Gallery, New Yo...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

Mende Bundu Sande Society Womens Helmet Mask Sierra Leone, Africa
Mende Bundu Sande Society Womens Helmet Mask Sierra Leone, Africa

Mende Bundu Sande Society Womens Helmet Mask Sierra Leone, Africa

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Mende Bundu or Sowei mask of the Sande Society, Sierra Leone, Africa, early 20th century.

Category

Mid-20th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

African Mende Helmet Mask
African Mende Helmet Mask

African Mende Helmet Mask

Sold

H 15 in W 9 in D 10 in

African Mende 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.

Category

Mid-20th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Mende Bundu Sande Society Womens Helmet Mask Sierra Leone, Africa
Mende Bundu Sande Society Womens Helmet Mask Sierra Leone, Africa

Mende Bundu Sande Society Womens Helmet Mask Sierra Leone, Africa

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Mende Bundu or Sowei mask of the Sande Society, Sierra Leone, Africa, early 20th century.

Category

Mid-20th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Mid-20th Century Tribal Bundu Mende Mask, Sierra Leone
Mid-20th Century Tribal Bundu Mende Mask, Sierra Leone

Mid-20th Century Tribal Bundu Mende Mask, Sierra Leone

Located in New York, NY

Beautiful and historically fascinating, this tribal Mende mask will make the perfect addition to any collection or home decor scheme. Crafted to represent the idealized woman, it wou...

Category

Mid-20th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

Tribal Helmet Masks
Tribal Helmet Masks

Tribal Helmet Masks

Sold

H 27 in Dm 12 in

Tribal Helmet Masks

Located in New York, NY

Most likely African from the Sierra Leone region. Priced per piece. sizes range from 20"-27" tall and 10"-12" diameter.

Category

20th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal Tribal Art

Mende Helmet Mask from Sierra Leone
Mende Helmet Mask from Sierra Leone

Mende Helmet Mask from Sierra Leone

Sold

H 13.75 in W 8 in D 8.75 in

Mende Helmet Mask from Sierra Leone

Located in Cambridge, MA

A Sande society helmet mask from the Mende people of Sierra Leone, ca. 1950.

Category

Vintage 1950s Sierra Leonean Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Wooden African Tribal Helmet/Mask
Wooden African Tribal Helmet/Mask

Wooden African Tribal Helmet/Mask

Sold

H 14 in W 8.5 in D 10 in

Wooden African Tribal Helmet/Mask

Located in Sarasota, FL

Wooden Tribal Mask from the Mende Tribe of Sierra Leone, Africa.

Category

Antique 19th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Rare Wooden African Helmet Mask from Mende Sande Society Tribe
Rare Wooden African Helmet Mask from Mende Sande Society Tribe

Rare Wooden African Helmet Mask from Mende Sande Society Tribe

Located in Sarasota, FL

A rare well carved wooden African helmet mask from Mende Sande Society Tribe living in Sierra Leone.

Category

Early 20th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal Art

Mende Helmet Mask
Mende Helmet Mask

Mende Helmet Mask

Sold

H 11.5 in W 10.5 in D 9 in

Mende Helmet Mask

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Carved Helmut masks of this type were made by the Sande society of the Mende people of Sierra Leone, Africa for use in masquerades by young women in initiation rites on their passage...

Category

20th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

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20th Century African Songye Nkishi Kifwebe Figure, Democratic Republic of Congo
20th Century African Songye Nkishi Kifwebe Figure, Democratic Republic of Congo

20th Century African Songye Nkishi Kifwebe Figure, Democratic Republic of Congo

Located in London, GB

For sale is this wonderful vintage African hand-carved Kifwebe association Figure (or "N'kishi"), originating from the Songye people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly the...

Category

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Materials

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20th Century Antique Carved Wooden Face Mask, African Folk Art. Hangable.Decorat
20th Century Antique Carved Wooden Face Mask, African Folk Art. Hangable.Decorat

20th Century Antique Carved Wooden Face Mask, African Folk Art. Hangable.Decorat

Located in Berlin, DE

20th Century Antique Carved Wooden Face Mask, African Folk Art. Hangable.Decorative Solid wood, hand-carved, Africa probably century The face mask has a device for hanging. Very d...

Category

20th Century African Masks

Materials

Wood

Dan Gagon, Dance Mask, Ivory Coast, Africa
Dan Gagon, Dance Mask, Ivory Coast, Africa

Dan Gagon, Dance Mask, Ivory Coast, Africa

$746

H 13.78 in W 5.91 in D 7.09 in

Dan Gagon, Dance Mask, Ivory Coast, Africa

Located in Stockholm, SE

An african Dan Gabon dance mask. Ivory Coast. Wood, fur and metal. Good condition. Signs of wear. Visible marks.

Category

20th Century Ivorian Masks

Materials

Fur, Wood

Rare 2 Faced Twin Lega Mask DRC Large Sized
Rare 2 Faced Twin Lega Mask DRC Large Sized

Rare 2 Faced Twin Lega Mask DRC Large Sized

$1,707

H 14.97 in W 9.45 in D 5.91 in

Rare 2 Faced Twin Lega Mask DRC Large Sized

Located in Torquay, GB

Rare large twin faced Lega mask of the Bwami society in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), circa 1930s. This mask is very rare in that it is a large size ceremonial mask and would h...

Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

African Nafana Bedu Large Moon Plank Zoomorphic Geometric Wood Sculpure Mask
African Nafana Bedu Large Moon Plank Zoomorphic Geometric Wood Sculpure Mask

African Nafana Bedu Large Moon Plank Zoomorphic Geometric Wood Sculpure Mask

Located in Studio City, CA

A wonderful, quite large and heavy, colorful Bedu plank mask by the Nafana (Senufo) tribe who reside in the central north-west of Ghana and the north-east of Côte d'Ivoire. These zo...

Category

20th Century Ghanaian Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

African Helmet Mask 'Gelede' from Yoruba Nigeria
African Helmet Mask 'Gelede' from Yoruba Nigeria

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...

Category

20th Century Nigerian Tribal Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Kuba Mask African Bwoom Tribal Congo in Wood, Vibrates Vegetables, Animal Hair
Kuba Mask African Bwoom Tribal Congo in Wood, Vibrates Vegetables, Animal Hair

Kuba Mask African Bwoom Tribal Congo in Wood, Vibrates Vegetables, Animal Hair

$2,797Sale 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...

Category

Antique 1620s Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Animal Skin, Organic Material, Wood

Bwa Butterfly Mask, Africa
Bwa Butterfly Mask, Africa

Bwa Butterfly Mask, Africa

$990

H 11.03 in W 24.02 in D 7.09 in

Bwa Butterfly Mask, Africa

Located in Stockholm, SE

Stunning Butterfly Dance mask. Bwa, wich is the area that includes Mali and Burkina faso. Carved wood. 20th century. With a few flaws and repairs.

Category

20th Century Malian Masks

Materials

Wood

Salampasu Mask – DR Congo – Mid 20th Century – African Tribal Art
Salampasu Mask – DR Congo – Mid 20th Century – African Tribal Art

Salampasu Mask – DR Congo – Mid 20th Century – African Tribal Art

Located in Ljubljana, SI

Discover the soul of Africa through this authentic Salampasu mask from DR Congo, handcrafted in the mid-20th century. Part of a carefully curated collection sourced from private home...

Category

Vintage 1950s Congolese Tribal Masks

Materials

Hardwood

Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa, 1950
Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa, 1950

Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa, 1950

Located in Buffalo, NY

Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa,, MID 20TH CENTURY.. gREAT COLOR / PATINA..

Category

Vintage 1950s Ivorian Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

Dogon Mask
Dogon Mask

Dogon Mask

$2,450

H 17 in W 7 in D 5 in

Dogon Mask

Located in Montreal, QC

African Dongon Tribal mask. Mali.

Category

Vintage 1970s Malian Masks

Materials

Wood

Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa, 1950
Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa, 1950

Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa, 1950

$2,423Sale Price|20% Off

H 14.97 in W 5.91 in D 7.09 in

Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa, 1950

Located in NICE, FR

This very elegant Dan mask is well-proportioned with a long protruding mouth from Ivory Coast, Africa. It dates back to the 1950s. The base is included in the price. Dan masks have...

Category

Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

1950's Dogon African Dancing mask
1950's Dogon African Dancing mask

1950's Dogon African Dancing mask

$1,020

H 22 in W 7 in D 16.5 in

1950's Dogon African Dancing mask

Located in Dallas, TX

950's Dogon African Dancing mask with stand

Category

Vintage 1950s African Masks

Materials

Wood

Old Igbo Helmet Mask, Agbogho Mmuo Masquerade
Old Igbo Helmet Mask, Agbogho Mmuo Masquerade

Old Igbo Helmet Mask, Agbogho Mmuo Masquerade

$2,307

H 14.57 in W 11.82 in D 9.85 in

Old Igbo Helmet Mask, Agbogho Mmuo Masquerade

Located in Torquay, GB

A superb Igbo Nigeria helmet mask 'Agbogho Mmuo" or Maiden Spirit. Worn as masqurades during funerals, cleansing rituals, harvest festivals, weddings and other such occasions . Igb...

Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Ancestral Dan Mask 'Deangle' with Cowrie Shells Large
Ancestral Dan Mask 'Deangle' with Cowrie Shells Large

Ancestral Dan Mask 'Deangle' with Cowrie Shells Large

$1,843

H 15.75 in W 9.85 in D 4.73 in

Ancestral Dan Mask 'Deangle' with Cowrie Shells Large

Located in Torquay, GB

Large sized Dan Mask ('Deangle', 'Dan Gle') from Côte d’Ivoire W.Affrica, circa early 20th century. To the Dan people, the 'Deangle' embodies the spirit of an individual ancestor d...

Category

Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Splendid Seven rams Ntomo Mask, Bamana Population, Mali, 1930-1940
Splendid Seven rams Ntomo Mask, Bamana Population, Mali, 1930-1940

Splendid Seven rams Ntomo Mask, Bamana Population, Mali, 1930-1940

Located in Paris, FR

The Ntomo mask is used during initiation rituals in West Africa. It is identifiable by its horns, which range from three to eight. The Bamana, also known as the Bambara, live in Mali...

Category

Vintage 1930s Malian Folk Art Masks

Materials

Shell, Wood

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Finding the Right Folk-art for You

Folk art refers to a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Vintage, new and antique folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, portraiture and paintings, carnival art, quilts and duck decoys.

American folk art is frequently valued because of the traditional skills involved, like weaving, hand-carving wood and even stonework. Many folk artists are self-taught, while some train as apprentices within their community. By using available materials and taking a personal approach to their creations, artists ensure each piece is unique and conveys a story. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.

During the Great Depression, artistic materials in America were hard to come by, so artisans used discarded wood from cigar boxes and shipping crates to make highly stylized, notched pieces — most often picture frames and boxes — that are today sought after by collectors. This folk art style is called tramp art and was popular from roughly 1870 until the 1940s.

Folk art brings vibrant culture and traditions into your home. Browse an extensive collection of folk art on 1stDibs.