mask collection

Carved by hand, this authentic African mask revels in bright, bold colors. An adinkra symbol on the forehead conveys conventional wisdom; this one is named Fihankra, from the Ashanti word for "house or compound" and is a symbol of security and safety. Godfred France designs and crafts the mask by hand.

Symmetrical features are serene beneath Ghana's famed Gye Nyame. Revered throughout the country, this adinkra symbol means "I fear none except God." Godfred France presents a hand carved mask of his own design. "I believe that without God, I can do nothing, and my belief led me to create this mask," he confides.

Featuring a blue corona painted by hand, this original African mask is hand-carved from local sese wood by Ghanaian artisan Awudu Saaed. Accented with aluminum and multicolored glass beads, the face of the mask features a complex textured design.

This long, narrow face wears a tall, pointed cap. Beautifully carved and painted by hand, the original African mask depicts a man with royal authority. Abdul Aziz Mohamadu names his design Obofuo hene, which means "helper king" in the Akan language.

Depicting Zacchaeus, the Jericho tax collector from the Bible, this African mask is created by Ghanaian artisan Winfred Korley. He depicts this Biblical figure in sese wood, wearing an ornate hat. A rustic finish makes this mask a striking addition to any home.

A magnificent wooden Owo mask evokes the glory of West African culture, handcrafted by master artisan Daniel Nyadedzor. "Owo," pronounced "owwor" in the local dialect, means snake. A mystical mask, it has two intertwined snakes reclining on the crest, complemented by a striking human visage on the forehead. Another interesting feature is the smoking pipe in his open mouth. Metal plates embossed with beautiful African symbols adorn the forehead and nose.

Sese, a local wood from Eastern Ghana, is patiently hand-carved and sanded to achieve the desired form. The piece is then delicately painted with black emulsion and coated with potassium. After a careful polishing, red tones are applied to the piece to add a rustic look. This historical work makes a wonderful addition to any collection.

From the imagination and skilled hands of Ghanaian woodcarver Rita Addo Zakour comes this detailed wooden mask. Handcrafted of local sese wood with a satin finish and hand-hammered aluminum detailing. Zakour names her creation Ahoofie, from the Akan word for beauty. Comes with a leather tab for hanging.

Salihu Ibrahim recreates a Tigari mask that was uncovered in Ghana in 1890. Of Moshie origin, a Tigari was a person endowed with special powers. This person could be a man or a woman and could heal, predict the future, indicate the best place for fishing and hunting and even influence the outcome of war. The mask is hand-carved from sese wood and given a subtly antiqued finish.

Biblical themes inspire many of Victor Dushie's West African masks. Carved by hand from sese wood, a person with a round face sings praises to God. Embossed aluminum adorns the handsome visage. The Ghanaian artisan names this original design Kafui, which means "praise him" in the Ewe language.