Sub-Saharan African Masks
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Place of Origin: Sub-Saharan African
Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa, 1950
Located in Buffalo, NY
Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa,, MID 20TH CENTURY.. gREAT COLOR / PATINA..
Category
1950s Tribal Vintage Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
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 Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
Kifwebe Female Mask from Congo, 20th Century
Located in NICE, FR
This feminine Kifwebe mask of the 'Kikashi' type features a prominent forehead and a subtly raised central crest leading down to the nose. Its round, high-relief mouth adds to its al...
Category
20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
African Mask, Angola, 20th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
African mask in hand painted wood, 20th century Angola.
Category
20th Century Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Pende "Circumcision Ceremonial" Mask
Located in Austin, TX
Revel in the mystique of tribal artistry with this Early 20th Century Pende "Circumcision Ceremonial" Mask. This evocative piece, crafted meticulously by hand, showcases the profound...
Category
Early 20th Century Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
Kuba Mweel Mask
Located in Austin, TX
"Residing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Kuba people are true artisans whose craftsmanship fueled traditional rituals, performances, and storytelling. Natural materials, in...
Category
Mid-20th Century Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Shell, Burlap, Wood
Songye Basangwe Mask DRC Wall Hanging Mask Circa 1950s
Located in Torquay, GB
On offer is a Basangwe mask from the Songye people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, circa 1950s.
The mask has the typical facial shape of the Basangwe mask.
At the top, it has a pair of stylised birds decorated with punched triangles. Their long beaks seem to suggest Hornbill or Kalao bird.
The eyes are slanted elongated slits, it has narrow nose and protruding circular mouth in a light russet colour.
It has a banded stripe design in black and white more similar to a Songye Kifwebe mask...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Kuba Bwoom Mask
Located in Austin, TX
Residing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Kuba people are true artisans whose craftsmanship fueled traditional rituals, performances, and storytelling. Natural materials, in this case cowrie shells, hold a long history of use in African art often associated with beauty and spirituality. The Bwoom mask...
Category
Mid-20th Century Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Copper
Splendid Kpélié Mask, Sénoufo population, Ivory Coast 1950
Located in Paris, FR
Splendid Kpélié Mask, Sénoufo population, Ivory Coast 1950
Kpélié Mask, wood covered with copper
Dimensions 36.5 x 14.5 cm / 14.17 x 5.51 inches
The populations speaking the Sénouf...
Category
1950s Folk Art Vintage Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
Splendid four rams Ntomo Mask, Bamana Population, Mali
Located in Paris, FR
Splendid four rams Ntomo Mask, Bamana Population, Mali
Four Rams, Ntomo Mask, Mali, Wood and cowrie shells. Dimensions: 52 x 14.5 cm 20.48 x 5.51inches
The Ntomo mask is used in th...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Shell, Wood
Splendid Seven rams Ntomo Mask, Bamana Population, Mali, 1930-1940
Located in Paris, FR
Splendid Seven rams Ntomo Mask, Bamana Population, Mali, 1930-1940
Seven Rams Ntomo Mask, Ségou region, Mali, Wood, cowrie shells, reptile skin. Dimensions: 61.5 cm / 24.02 inches.
...
Category
1930s Folk Art Vintage Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Shell, Wood
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 Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Liberia Bassa Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
Covered with an extraordinary black crusted patina, this wooden Liberian mask was hand-crafted in the style of the Bassa ethnic group. Bassa communities have a number of rich masking...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Old African Songye Female Kifwebe Wall Mask with Expressive Face Large Sized
Located in Torquay, GB
Large sized Songye Female Kifwebe mask from The Congo circa 1920s.
Traditionally, the Kifwebe mask is very symbolic in the Bantu culture of central Africa.
Its striking colours and carving symbolise the battle between good and evil.
Female Kifwebe masks represent femininity, the continuation of life and a good omen.
These masks were used for wedding ceremonies, reproduction rituals and other such occasions.
This large mask...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
Salampasu Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
This ceremonial African mask is linked to the Salampasu people of the Bantu ethnic group located primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Salampasu masks...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood, Bamboo
West Africa Senufo Cast Bronze Mask Kpelie, Circa 1950s
Located in Torquay, GB
Ancestral Senufo cast bronze face mask (Kpelie) from Côte d'Ivoire West Africa.
Made using the lost wax technique.
Traditionally, the 'Kpelie' is an ancestral mask worn during funeral rites, initiation ceremonies, weddings and births.
The function of the mask is determined by the crest at the top of it's head and the subtle scarification markings it carries.
The female mask will normally have a plug on it's mouth with the male masks having an open mouth and longer protruding jaw.
It is believed that the mask itself embodies the spirit of the dead, hence the name 'Dead Face'
The delicate attributes of this mask is a fine example of the excellent artistry of the Senufos.
This is a male Senufo Mask...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Ekoi, Ejagham Janiform Headcrest, Nigeria
Located in Savannah, GA
Janiform ceremonial headdress from the Ekoi, Ejagham people of the Cross River region of Southeastern Nigeria, circa early 20th century.
The janus symbolism from the Cross River r...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
Salampasu Warrior Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
Divided into contrasting tones, this ceremonial African mask is linked to the Salampasu people of the Bantu ethnic group located primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Salampasu masks...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Hand Painted Wooden African Mask & Snake
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Hand Painted Wooden African Mask & Snake
Dimensions on the snake are as follows 25'' long by 6.25'' tall roughly 1.5'' thick
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
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 Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Old Bulu Cameroon Singe Mask Large
Located in Torquay, GB
On offer is a rare large sized 'Singe' Monkey mask from the Bulu people of south central Cameroon. The Bulu are a sub-group of the Cameroon Fang, having originated from Gabon.
This...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
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 Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
African Large Polychrome Wood Carved Mask
Located in London, GB
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.
Category
1950s Tribal Vintage Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
African Large Polychrome Wood Carved Mask
Located in London, GB
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.
Category
1950s Tribal Vintage Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
Ceramic Mask by N Dala, Congo, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful ceramic mask by N. Dala. Democratic Republic of the Congo
Perfect original conditions, 1975.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Ceramic, Terracotta
African Basuku Helmet Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
During their five hundred year history in the Southern Congo, the Basuku tribe developed a series of intricate rituals built around their skilled mask makers. This particular example was most likely carved in the likeness of a deceased chieftain. The artisan intentionally pronounced the eyes, cheeks, and chin to provide a terrifying test for young men as they underwent their rites for manhood. The Basuku's spiritual expressions inspired early 20th century western painters...
Category
20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
African Chokwe Wood Hand Carved Folk Art Initiation Ceremony Ancestral Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
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...
Category
19th Century Antique Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
Ndop Kuba Statue From The Kuba Ndengese Shoowa Tribe Dr Congo Kasaï African Art
Located in Leuven, BE
Exceptional royal Ndop statue From the Kuba / Ndengese / Shoowa tribe - DR Congo Kasaï region - Circa 1940-1950
Length = 56 cm
Perfect condition
Note : Image of individual kings
Alt...
Category
Mid-20th Century Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Hardwood
Mossi Mask Burkina Faso Early to mid 20th Century / African Art / Africa Tribal
Located in Leuven, BE
Beautiful authentic Mask of the Mossi people Burkina-faso Early/mid 20th Century / African Art
Length: 35 cm
Beautiful patina of use (see detailed pictures )
A museum quality mask of the Mossi tribe
Note : In the northern centre of Mossi coutry, convex African masks with a prominent central ridge are common. Geometric patterns with low kaolin residues are dug on the matte surface. Stylistic similarities are sometimes noted with the masks of the Dogon, a neighbouring people. Mossi masks...
Category
Early 20th Century Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Hardwood
Monumental African Tribal Burkina Faso Horned Bobo Ceremonial Mask
Located in Miami, FL
Early 20th century zoomorphic African ceremonial mask or puppet head sculpture attributed to the tribes people of Burkina Faso. This meticulously crafted wooden African mask or head ...
Category
20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood, Hardwood
Suku helmet mask with antilope DR Congo ca 1930
Located in Leuven, BE
Rare beautiful museum quality authentic Suku Helmet Mask (Hemba type) DR CONGO ca 1930.
Beautiful patina with traces of polychrome
Art gallery Decoster / ...
Category
Early 20th Century Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Hardwood
Tribal Style Songye Kifwebe Mask, D. R. Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
This graphic Songye Kifwebe mask has fine carved lines curved over the eyes and diagonal lines radiating from the nose and mouth in classic Kifwebe form. ...
Category
Late 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
African Futurist Black Tribal Mask by Bomber Bax
Located in Milano, IT
Contemporary African single mask created by the artist Bomber Bax.
The mask dates back to the early 1900s and was subsequently processed and painted in late 2022 by the artist.
The...
Category
Early 1900s Tribal Antique Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
Angola Chokwe Mask Revisited by Bomber Bax
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful classic Chokwe mask genre that honours female founding ancestors. Such representations are particularly significant as the Chokwe trace the descent through the lines of their mothers. This is thought to be a dance mask with a net and wood hairstyle, from the Batshokwe people skilled in the art of carving and of very ancient origin belonging to the culture of the divine monarchy.
The Batshokwe sculptors were the most famous in the region, masters in geometric decorations such as the depiction of scarifications and tooth deformations, the surfaces of their works were carefully smoothed and polished.
On the forehead of the mask, the classic chinge-lyengelye scarification is clearly visible, commonly interpreted as a variant of the Portuguese cross...
Category
Early 1900s Tribal Antique Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
Powerful Early Classic Cubist Wood Standing Bobo Fing Figure Africa Ex J. Willis
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Powerful early cubist carved wood standing female figure from the Bobo-Fing of Burkina Faso, Africa. Created early 20th century. Ex private collection Texas, originally acquired from James Willis...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
Expressive Early Classic Cubist Dan Mask Early 20th Century Liberia, Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Expressive early classic cubist Dan mask with refined expressive look, narrow open eyes and mouth and fine line scarification marks around outside of face. Created early 20th century by the Dan People...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
Baga Altar Figure or Mask Guinea
Located in San Mateo, CA
Baga anok altar mask from Guinea. This is probably last quarter of the 20th century and made for the collector market. Large piece and great form.
Category
Late 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
Ibo-Izzi, Nigeria Old ‘Ogbodo Enyi’ Elephant Mask
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
This mask type of the Ibo-Izzi, a subgroup of the Ibo, is actually a dance crest. The elephant mask 'ogbodo enyi' is worn horizontally on top of the head...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
African Futurist Gold Mask Created by Bomber Bax
Located in Milano, IT
Single African mask created by artist Bomber Bax.
The mask dates back to the early 1900s and was subsequently processed and painted in late 2022 by the artist.
The artist used spec...
Category
Early 1900s Tribal Antique Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
African Bembe Mask
Located in Rochester, NY
African Bembe mask with feathers from Congo region in original aged pigmented color to wood. From a private collection of tribal art ( inventory numbers on inside bottom ) circa 1970...
Category
20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood, Feathers
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...
Category
20th Century Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Decorative Wall Hanging African Folk Art Wooden Carved Tribal Mask
Located in Markington, GB
Decorative African Folk Art wooden carved tribal mask.
Measurements: H 33cm, W 23cm, D 14cm.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
African Lwalwa Tribal Mask
Located in Montreal, QC
African Lwalwa tribal mask enhanced with white pigment on the mouth and ears.
Category
1960s Vintage Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
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 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
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 m...
Category
Mid-20th Century Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Beaded Royal Headress with Leopard Figure, Bamileke People, Cameroon
Located in Leuven , BE
The Beaded Royal Headdress is made of a palm tree fibre structure, enfolded with burlap cloth embroided with European glass beads that cover the entire object with geometric symbolic...
Category
20th Century Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Organic Material
Oro Efe Gelede Mask, Nigeria
Located in Antwerp, BE
The Gelede spectacle of the Yoruba is a public display by colorful masks which combines art and ritual dance to amuse, educate and inspire worship. Gelede celebrates “Mothers” (awon iya wa), a group that includes female ancestors and deities as well as the elderly women of the community, and the power and spiritual capacity these women have in society. However, this power may also be destructive and take the form of witchcraft; therefore, Gelede serves the function of appeasing this power, as well.
Gelede costume and headdress.
Gelede masks...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
Yoruba Egungun Headdress Mask
By Yoruba People
Located in Chicago, IL
Attributed to the Yoruba people of western Nigeria, this wooden headdress was worn during a masquerade known as egungun. A widespread Yoruba ritual, egungun performances honor a comm...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
Baule Male Ndoma Portrait Mask on Mount
By Baule Tribe
Located in Chicago, IL
To relieve stress and uplift their Community, the Baule people of modern-day Côte d'Ivoire engage in a daylong masquerade known as the Mblo. A series of dances that escalate in compl...
Category
20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
Pende-Style Antelope Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
Masks from the Pende people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are considered some of the most dramatic works of African art. The Pende have defined an extensive range of mask forms, many with distinct characters embodied during ritual ceremony. Colored by red and white pigments, this Pende mask...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
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, beads, animal hair. In dance it expresses exuberance and joy. The style is similar to that of the middle Kasai. This mask is a helmet with animal hair, carved with a very wide forehead and hollow cheeks that are announced by motifs or dashes and beads. The mouth of the mask is very pronounced carved in wood and then applied on the mask. To distinguish the forehead in different areas are used black and white beads to draw attention to other aspects of the face such as the nose and chin. The entire edge of the chin is surrounded by beads of various colors. The person wearing the mask cannot look because there are no holes for the eyes present; the mask must create the feeling of being blind. Some masks similar to the bwoom mask include the funny mask, the ram mask and initiation masks such as Nnup.
The real Kuba masks...
Category
1620s Tribal Antique Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Animal Skin, Organic Material, Wood
Bidjogo Tribal Initiation Ox Mask, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
After oxen were introduced to Guinea Bissau by Portuguese sailors in the 15th century, its strength, aggression, and nobility quickly became integrated i...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Hide, Wood
Very Important “Nwantantay” African Dance Mask
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Very important “Nwantamtay” dance African mask, consisting of three sections: The upper in plain rectangular shape surmounted by a crescent shape moon, the middle with beautiful geometric triangles in black bitumen and white kaolin, surrounding a red cruciform in the centre of remarkable contrasting colors, and the lower part or face inscribed in a circular space that inspired numbered great artists like Joan Miro, Picasso and Henry Moore of a very strongly solar symbolism, with a projecting protuberance emanating from the forehead like a sculpted bird beak, that descents toward the mouth. Concentric eyes harmonize with the circular mouth, both with of elegant proportions. The whole mask exudes a supreme harmony and perfect balance rarely seen in this pieces. The back-side presents nice ware that attested the ancient origin and traces of animistic ceremonies as the use of animal blood residues. The painting of brown bitumen or cola, the natural colorants in red and ocher tones and the white kaolin are original and do not show any repainted or restored areas, giving a freshness rarely seen in old pieces. This exceptional mask Bwa, of the Hound`e Region in Burkina-Fasso, was used it the transit ceremonies and funerals manifesting the presence of “Do”, name given to their God sons, protectors and powerful spirits. The round face also represents an owl, the curving beak of the bird plants a seed into the sun, like a female sexual vulva being fecundated by the male organ; the eternal symbol of Ying and Yang, masculine and feminine, and the quest of life and death. This mask of Primitive facture can be compared to the one in the celebrated Verite Collection (this one being larger) sold in Paris at the Hotel Drouot, Saturday June 17, Lot 59, for 80,000 Euros and remarkably stands out from the Pierre and Tannia Matisse sold in Sotheby’s, New York in May 13, 2011. Another similar piece was published in: “Arman et l’art africain...
Category
Early 20th Century Primitive Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
Nocturnal Bird Mask, Nigeria, Africa, circa 1950
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Very beautiful mask with large pronounced eyes with the circular cavity shape. The mask depicts a nocturnal bird that can see in the darkness and manifest the presence of divinities ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Masks
Materials
Wood
