Unknown

"Toma Mask, Guinea, " Carved Wood from Africa created circa 1900

c. 1900

This mask was hand-carved by an unknown artist from the Mende tribe in Sierra Leone, Africa. It depicts a face with its eyes downcast, hair in rows, and two birds on the top. 16" x 10" x 10 1/2" The Mende people (also spelled Mendi) are one of the two largest ethnic groups in Sierra Leone. The Mende are mostly farmers and hunters. Much Mandé art is in the form of jewelry and carvings. The masks associated with the fraternal and sorority associations of the Marka and the Mendé are probably the best-known, and finely crafted in the region. The Mandé also produce beautifully woven fabrics which are popular throughout western Africa, and gold and silver necklaces, bracelets, armlets, and earrings. Masks are the collective Mind of Mende community; viewed as one body, they are the Spirit of the Mende people. The Mende mask...

"Mask, Baga Guinea" is a carved wooden mask created c. 1920. Where a face would go in the mask is actually the body of a woman figure. There are two breasts above a hole for the mask wearer...

"Bobo Mask Burkina Fasso-Upper Volta" is a wood carved sculpture with painted details. It features the image of an abstracted face with a large almost elepha...

The Dan people of Liberia have a history of using masks like these for rituals pertaining to various aspects of their lives. This particular mask has a commanding, yet gentle presence. The carved wooden face...

Acquired from Albert F. Gordon's Tribal Arts Gallery in Manhattan in the early 1970s, this is a handcarved wood mask that measures approximately 11.75" wide, 6.25" deep, and 17.75" t...

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...

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...

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...