painted coasters

In pink and cream, this replica mask from Ivory Coast's Nafana people is worn by dancers during ceremonies and it is designed to get rid of harmful spirits. Ghanaian master carver Christopher Nyasafo faithfully replicates the beauty of this millenary mask with painted details.

Carved and painted by hand, this mask is representative of the Baule people of the Ivory Coast. "This mask is worn during the harvest season as a sign of good fortune and bumper harvest," says Ghanaian artisan Victor Addo Biney.

Sefah Annwhar replicates the unique artistry of Ivory Coast's Guro people with this impressive wall mask. Featuring two faces, fertility masks were given to Guro women to help them conceive. The talented Ghanaian artisan hand-carves the sese wood mask and adorns it with painted details over clay textures.

Guro people are regarded as the most prolific of African artists. Guro people were originally safe from French colonization, as they lived among the dense forests of Ivory Coast; however, this only lasted until 1912. Under French rule they had to change their nomadic ways to settlements, and rather than having a village leader, a distinguished elder would be designated to mediate disputes and serve as a liaison to neighboring tribes.

This African mask is representative of one worn by the Ivory Coast's Baule people during harvest festivals and in the event of the death of a king. Ghana's Emmanuel Opoku Asante hand-carves the mask of sese wood, adding a large beard 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 tribal spirit to your home.

A lavish cascade of jute frames this mask by Juliana Akandas. Sculpting sese wood, she creates the realistic features and paints them by hand. Named Bando (initiation), it is designed for use during induction into Senufo secret societies. Such masks are also used for burial rites, as they represent a channel of communication with the gods.