the protector

Salihu Ibrahim crafts a striking mask intended to protect and fight evil where it hangs. He calls the mask Toura, which in the language of Ghana's Hausa people means "Strong." Ibrahim crafts the mask by hand with sese wood featuring a jute hair and beard, as well as a headdress trimmed with raffia. Red cotton threads trim the aluminum mask over the large, expressive eyes.

This wall relief panel is a testament to the exceptional beauty of African art and a tribute to the traditional Dogon boards of Mali. These revered objects were known for their intricate depictions of human and animal figures, serving as protectors of the household and warding off malevolent spirits. Ghana’s Ayoma Alhassan creates his own version of those boards with a wall relief panel remarkably hand-carved in mahogany featuring eccentric figures, including monkey and bird-faced humans, turtles and more, each exquisitely adorned with accents made from a blend of charcoal and glue. They are further embellished by intricate hand-painted details that bring a pop of color to this stunning piece.

Bring a touch of African culture to your home with a tribute to the traditional Dogon boards of Mali, revered for their intricate depictions of human and animal figures that served as protectors of the household, warding off malevolent spirits. This spectacular wall relief panel showcases Ghanaian artisan Ayoma Alhassan’s exceptional talent for hand-carving mahogany. The unique decorative accent features a cast of intriguing figures, including monkey-faced humans and a man with a big, round head, all of which are exquisitely adorned with accents made from a blend of charcoal and glue. Alhassan's masterful craftsmanship is also evident in the intricate hand-painted details that bring a dash of color.

Delicate wings carved from warm acacia wood bring nature's most enchanting pollinators to rest among your holiday boughs in a collection of five handcrafted butterfly ornaments. Each piece reveals the wood's organic grain patterns flowing through intricate hand-carved details that honor the graceful symmetry of these beloved insects. Presented by India’s Dinesh, the ornaments arrive with sturdy leather hanging cords and nestle safely in a drawstring storage pouch that protects their sculpted forms throughout the year.

Ghanaian artist Ayoma Alhassan creates a breathtaking wall relief panel that showcases his incredible talent for hand-carving mahogany. The panel is adorned with a stunning array of abstract figures, including humans, lizards, snakes, mice and turtles embellished with accents made from a blend of charcoal and glue. Alhassan's masterful craftsmanship is further highlighted by the intricate hand-painted details that bring each figure to life. This piece is an homage to the traditional Dogon boards of Mali, which were renowned for their intricate depictions of human and animal figures that served to ward off malevolent spirits and protect the household.