Ethnic Tribal Artifacts

From Cote d'Ivoire a carved wooden mask of the Baule Tribe 43cm. high. with a typical T - shaped nose and rush chin adornment. The characters carved on the forehead would have had significance to the carver only, but may have been an attempt to appease a spiritual spouse with an earthly one.

An Igbo tribe mask from the Niger- delta, well carved and adorned with rows of fine cowrie shells and rafia chin decoration. The headress is made from burnt reads and together make a very imposing character whether carved for ceremonial use or entertaining. 36cm.high and possibly from the Nri-Awka region.

From Western Africa probably Mali a very skillfully carved mask with a lot of detail in the face and rope head fitting with tassled chin adornment covered with a very rich patina. 26cm. high overall the patterned coronet the man is wearing; with holes around the edge for attachment during dance or ceremony.

Dan Deangle Mask 25.5cm high with open eyes and rolled fibre and cowrie shell attachments. The secod mask is the same description except for having slit eyes and would have been used as a pair for dancing, either in ceremonies or entertainment both with concave faces and a deep rich patina. Priced for the pair.

20th century Antelope mask, 38cm. high, from Mali; it is hand painted and with holes for attachment. This style of mask would have been used originally in initiatian ceremonies along with masks depicting other animals such as Lions, monkeys and hyenas.

Baule carved mask from the 20th century; 49cm. high. With a Cranebill swallowing a fish on the mans head, with fine markings and decoration carved around the mask and holes around the edge for attachment. Used for either ceremony or entertainment. There is a small piece missing at the bottom of the righthand mantle (see picture two).

Dan mask 23cm. high with some Cowrie shell adornment and traditioinal slit eyes with plaited raffia beard. There is some loss to the red and white pigment (see picture three) on what is a very traditional Dan family mask.

Dan female figures are prestige items, especialy small figures cast in brass. 16cm. high and holding an infant.

Lobi female fertility figure 20th century from the Ivory Cost and 18cm.high, the quality of the carving depended on the length of time the carver was allowed to spend practicing along with all his other commitments.

Marka ceremonial puppet from Mali, 45cm. high. The Marka are a Mande subgroup and are independent from the Bambara but their styles show a strong Bambara influence. They live in the region that extends from the north to the Senegalese border. The puppets of the kind presented here were used in ceremonies related to the circumcision of adolescents and in theatrical performances.