creative masks

Cheerful and classic, narrow tangerine stripes flow across a beige background. Cool cotton is woven on a backstrap to become an attractive pair of face masks with unique handwoven textures. Artisans from Creative Hands of Oaxaca craft the contoured masks with elastic bands to stretch around the head. They are double-layered and are both washable and reusable.

This mask of mystical beauty is worn during the Edina Bakatue masquerade festival, which commemorates the founding of the city of Edina, in central Ghana. The Fante people of the region refer to the mask "Sumpa," meaning to serve well, and it is called upon to ask Nana Benya's continuous protection of the state and its people. Abdul Aziz Mohamadu creates an admirable African rubberwood replica featuring careful hand painted details. It is finished with white clay to achieve and antiqued look.

Inspired by themes of love, Ghanaian artisan Abdul Aziz Mohamadu creates this beautiful African mask. He hand-carves the mask of sese wood, painted blue and orange on the face that reflect the duality of humanity. Embossed aluminum frames the face. The mask is named Thandi, meaning "one who loves deeply" in Zulu.

Handwoven cotton brings bright beauty to face masks for the whole family. By Desak Nyoman Parwati, the set of four includes two small and two large to fit adults and children. They are created with the traditional ikat technique in which the threads are tie-dyed to create the motifs before they are woven by hand. Beautiful in cardinal red and saffron orange, all four masks are washable and reusable, and have loops to fit over the ears.

Placement of the motifs can vary but the fabric will be the same.

A cheerful palette takes over a cotton wall hanging crafted by Ghanaian artisan K. Baka. Proud of his heritage, the artisan paints a captivating African mask, honoring the cultural wealth of his beloved country and creating a sublime home accent.