African Nafana Bedu Large Moon Plank Zoomorphic Geometric Wood Sculpure Mask

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 m...

An interesting piece. Quite unique. We are at a loss to what region this might be from. The facial features are very pronounced and the mask has been nicely colored with various pigments. The mask has some age to it and a nice patina. We are listing as early to mid-20th century but it could very well be older. From a collection of tribal artifacts...

A fantastic piece. Really quite unique. We have not seen another quite like it. Made from heavy wood and features real horns. Likely South or Central American or perhaps from Mexico. Has clear signs of use and age so we are estimating early to mid-20th century. Would make for a terrific addition to any folk or tribal mask collection...

A very engaging mask by the Chowke (Tchokwe) tribe of Southern and Central Africa who today reside primarily in Angola. This mask is intricately carved and is recognizable by the...

A beautiful, wonderfully crafted, alluring mask made for Japanese Noh theatre. This mask is handcrafted and carved from natural wood. Ko-omote translates as "little mask" or sometimes "small face." This particular delicate featured mask (her red lips really stand out) is used for main and sometimes secondary roles when the character is a young girl or, in some cases, a supernatural being. What is also interesting about this mask is the blackened teeth which centuries ago, was customary for Japanese women to paint their teeth black after they became married. We believe this mask dates from the mid-to early Showa period, perhaps Mejia. The mask was acquired from an antique mask...

A fantastic mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western and South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the Inuit peoples, have a long history of ceremonial mask making. Yup'ik masks were originally and specifically designed by Shamans and made to be worn by these spiritual leaders in winter tribal dances and sacred ceremonies. Traditionally, the masks were destroyed or discarded after use in these ceremonies. Very few of these masks survived. After Christian contact in the late 19th century, masked dancing was suppressed and the tradition all but died out. As more outsiders settled in Alaska at the turn of the century, masks were made by the Yup'ik people to sell or trade for necessary goods. It is likely that this mask was created some years later for this purpose. In the 20th century, Yup'ik mask had a profound influence on many renowned surrealist artists including, Max Ernst, Joan Miro, Leonora Carrington, Victor Brauner, and most notably Andre Breton who was an avid collector of Yup'ik masks. This fantastic anthropomorphic mask is carved of lighter wood, hand painted and decorated with pigment, and held together with natural fiber. A native bird can see seen attached to the smiling figure's chin. The mask is from a French collection. We were told that this mask, as well as others in the collection we have listed, was acquired originally in the 1950s-1960s in Alaska and the Yukon territory in Canada but as we have no way to verify or authenticate this. Please note we are listing the masks as decorative and not as actual tribal artifacts...

"Mid century carved African Nefana Bedu plank mask sculpture. This wooden plank mask is large and geometrical in form. It was worn over the face with its extremities towering way above the head. The lower part of the mask is spade-shaped and pierced at the center with three holes to allow the wearer to see out and with a third hole for the mouth. Its crest is surmounted by a large circular horn or disk. This group of masks are known as Bedu by the Nafana people who make and use them for ritual use. Measure: 74" Such plank masks are among the largest masks in Africa. The form of the Bedu mask...

A carved and painted wood "Green Man" mask from a facade of a mansion near Seattle, late 19th century. The Green Man is a legendary being primarily interpreted as a symbol of rebir...

Nafana "Bedu" mask, from Southern Burkina Faso/Ivory Coast. Wood with natural earth pigments. Note the double faces, one with tubular eyes and mouth for the dancer and the larger a...

Hand painted wood mask. The geometric designs of each mask also carry various meanings. The light and dark pattern also symbolizes good from evil and female from male.

Highly decorative Hand painted wood mask. The geometric designs of each mask also carry various meanings. The light and dark pattern also symbolizes good from evil and female from male.

Vintage Guatemalan Dance Mask of the Female or Pretty Lady with bright colors, red lips with teeth showing and golden hair. Inset glass eyes below o...