centerpiece mask

Hand-carved of locally-acquired sese wood, this African mask from Ghana features an oblong shape with a patterned design. Theophilus Sackey diligently decorates the mask's forehead with the image of a rhino. The proud creature is realized against a beige field and given a finish that accentuates the natural colors of the wood. To complete it, the mask is decorated with etched designs at the cheeks.

Quiet features exude tranquility and good will in this elegant African mask. Adorned with richly embossed brass, the design arises from artisan Rita Addo Zakour's own imagination. She names the exquisite piece Nutifafa, which means "peace be unto you" in the Ewe language.

"Among the Hausa people of Nigeria," says artist Abdul Aziz Mohamadu, "masks such as these are given to a woman by a man as a wedding proposal. If she does not return the mask, the proposal has been accepted." Named Shawa – Hausa for "Lover's Beauty". This contemporary example is hand-carved of native rubberwood and adorned with intricate aluminum nailhead patterns before being rubbed with a white clay finish for an aged effect. Comes ready to hang.

Sese wood, metal accents, and a beaded adinkra symbol are expertly combined by Ghanian artisan Awudu Saaed to create this vibrant warrior mask. The double diamond design is called epa and represents handcuffs, a symbol of slavery that West African chiefs have reclaimed as a symbol of law and justice. Working to support his mother and siblings, Awudu learned his craft at an early age and continues the tradition, now training apprentices of his own.

This stylized mask by Saeed Musah of Ghana is a stunning and awe-inspiring addition to your home decor. The mask is hand carved from sese wood and features an intricate design created using recycled glass beads and aluminum plates. This mask, titled "Zulu", is named after the largest ethnic group in South Africa.

Francis Agbete hand-carves this African mask of sese wood, giving it a finish with black and distressed beige colors. Hanging neatly on any wall, this elegant design from Ghana features triangular motifs across the forehead, like the ears of a bat.

By Saeed Musah, this handsome African mask takes the shape of a seed. Even textures cover the forehead and cheeks as he embellishes the face with applications of hand-embossed aluminum. A design of the artisan's own imagination, it depicts his concept of a personage from the Zulu people of South Africa.

This African mask is representative of one worn during the Ngondo water festival of Cameroon. Ghana's Emmanuel Opoku Asante hand-carves the mask of sese wood, adding hair of jute fiber. He gives the mask a painted, distressed finish that adds an antiqued aesthetic. Perfect for hanging on your wall, this mask brings a lively spirit to your home.

With the privilege of experience, Ghanaian artisan Awudu Saaed creates the original design of this spectacular mask. He incorporates the artistic style of the Akan people as he carves the sese wood mask by hand with an anoma (bird) on the forehead. Saaed uses colorful glass beads to decorate the mask's face as well as embossed brass on the eyelids and around the face.

Saaed works with available brass plates to make a one of a kind version of his original design.

With a patience characteristic of the Huichol people, the hands of Higinio Hernandez have transformed tiny chaquira beads into beautiful and glossy motifs adhered to a papier-mâché base. The result is a veritable explosion of color, replete with symbols sacred to the Huichol culture. A must for lovers of the truly rich culture of Mexico.

Huichol culture is guided by pre-Columbian shamanic traditions linked to ceremonies performed in their storied past. The jicuri (peyote) is the centerpiece of Huichol ritualism, revered for its curative properties and its ability to enlighten the one who partakes of it. Higinio Hernandez and his family preserve their cultural heritage through expressive bead art, representing essential Huichol symbols like jicuri, marra (deer), berika (eagle), iko (corn), and warra (corn stalk). For these pieces, each brilliant bead is affixed by hand to a unisel base, the resulting symmetry defying standards of patience and concentration.

Care instructions: To prevent the tiny chaquira beads from coming loose, do not expose this piece to direct heat or light as it may melt the Campeche beeswax adhesive.

A brilliant star lances mystic rays across the forehead of this beaded mask by Higinio Hernandez. It casts white light on the tatei yukahima, or “corn plant,” its golden ears ready to harvest. Teruka the scorpion stands guard over the corn on either side of the mouth, and jicuri, or “peyote” buttons, adorn cheeks and chin. Jicuri is the centerpiece of Huichol ritualism, revered for its curative properties and its ability to enlighten those who partake of it.

Aided by his wife and guided by their imagination and feelings, Hernandez creates these vivid images with brilliant chaquira beads patiently placed one at a time on a papier mache base. Beeswax is used instead of glue. His masks reveal the rich cosmology of the Huichol people and add color and life to any setting.

Because each mask is individually crafted without a pattern, small details may vary, such as the color of a flower or symbol, but without affecting the original design.

Care instructions: Since this exquisite mask is made with the traditional process of attaching the beads with wax, do not expose this piece to direct heat or light, which may cause the wax to dry or soften and thus loosen the beads.

The vibrancy of color on this Huichol mask is breathtaking. Created by Higinio Hernandez, it represents the beliefs of this truly amazing people. A must for collectors of genuinely authentic handicrafts and for lovers of beauty in general.

Elaborated with tiny chaquira beads on papier-mâché base.

Huichol culture is guided by pre-Columbian shamanic traditions linked to ceremonies performed in their storied past. The Jicuri ("peyote") is the centerpiece of Huichol ritualism, revered for its curative properties and its ability to enlighten the one who partakes of it. Higinio Hernandez and his family preserve their cultural heritage through expressive bead art, representing essential Huichol symbols like jicuri, marra ("deer"), berika ("eagle"), iko ("corn"), and warra ("corn stalk"). For these pieces, each brilliant bead is affixed by hand to a papier-mâché base, the resulting symmetry defying standards of patience and concentration.

Care instructions: To prevent the tiny chaquira beads from coming loose, do not expose this piece to direct heat or light as it may melt the Campeche beeswax adhesive.