Masks

West African masks are culturally and historically significant pieces of art. From ceremonial and ritual masks to those that represent important leaders and deities, our collection presents a diverse range of unique masks include rare and antique feature pieces.

" ...I forced myself to stay, to examine these masks, all these objects that people had created with a sacred, magical purpose, to serve as intermediaries between them and the unknown, hostile forces surrounding them, attempting in that way to overcome their fears by giving them colour and form." Picasso

Burkina Faso	Guinea	Ghana
Ivory Coast	Mali	Other

Burkina Faso

These Sun Masks are worn in agricultural and harvest ceremonies to celebrate farming and bless the land. They embody the Sun, honouring its power to yield a healthy crop.

New masks landing soon

These Sun Masks are worn in agricultural and harvest ceremonies to celebrate farming and bless the land. They embody the Sun, honouring its power to yield a healthy crop.

Tall Water Lady

Mini Sun Mask
Bwa People

13 x 13cm
$25

Mini Sun Mask
Bwa People

13 x 13cm
$25

Small Sun Mask
Bwa People

48 x 48cm
$150

XL Sun Mask
Bwa People

100 x 100cm
$680

These masks are worn by dancers during agricultural festivals. Before a rainfall, it is said that swarms of butterflies will appear. Tribal dancers mimic the motion of the butterfly in hope of invoking the deities to bring rain for the newly planted fields.

Mini Butterfly Mask
Bwa People

30x 10cm
$25

SOLD

Small Butterfly Mask
Bwa People

50 x 10cm
$45

SOLD

Small Butterfly Mask
Bwa People

50 x 15cm
$45

SOLD

Toussiana masks play an important role in determining social direction of everyday life. These initiation masks represent guardian spirits and are worn during ceremonies, which usher in a peaceful passage from childhood to adulthood.

Tall Water Lady

Toussiana Initiation Mask
Tusyan People

53 x 30cm
$145

Toussiana Initiation Mask
Tusyan People

55 x 30cm
$145

Toussiana Initiation Mask
Tusyan People

56 x 30cm
$145

SOLD

Toussiana Initiation Mask
Tusyan People

57 x 30cm
$145

These masks are worn during agrarian rituals and tribal celebrations to encourage prosperity. The large crescent on top of the masks represents the moon and sun, which shine over the tribe and bring new life. The figures embody bush spirits in supernatural form and blessed ancestors, which are channelled through the masks to spread their good fortune.

Molo is a mask of blacksmith, a highly coveted position in Bobo society. Appearing only in full daylight, sacred Molo headdresses embody the guardian spirit Dwo. They are only revealed during specific rites. The abstracted features are used to translate cultural knowledge through craftsmanship and story telling to initiates

Masks such as this honour deceased female ancestors who played significant social roles, and represent a spirit of endurance. Worn during funeral rites and important meetings, they typically depict the honoured woman at the height of her beauty in middle age. The dots across the abdomen indicate she was not only a mother, but also a tribal maternal figure.

Doyo Agricultural & Fertility Mask
Bwa People

45x 17cm
$80

Doyo Agricultural & Fertility Mask
Bwa People

70 x 25cm
$195

Doyo Agricultural & Fertility Mask
Bwa People

88 x 20cm
$325

Mossi Figural Female Mask
Mossi People

72x 20cm
$225

Molo is a mask of the blacksmiths, a highly coveted position in Bobo society. Appearing only in full daylight, sacred Molo headdresses embody the guardian spirit Dwo. The abstracted features are used to translate cultural knowledge to initiates through craftsmanship and story telling.

The Loniake mask is topped with an animal head symbolising the protective totem of the tribe. It is worn during spiritual initiation rites, with the inlaid mirrors representing windows to the spirit world.

Tall Water Lady

Molo Initiation Mask
Bobo People

60 x 28cm
$160

SOLD

Bedu Plant Mask
Gurussi People

60 x 19cm
$220

Loniake Initiation Mask
Tusyan People

70 x 30cm
$195

Molo Initiation Mask
Bobo People

98 x 20cm
$295

In the Savanna Region, the Mossi tribe pays tribute to deceased female elders using ornate Yatenga masks. These masks honour a woman's age, wisdom, and experience. Used in dance, it elevates her to the rank of a living ancestress, intermediary between the living and the spirits of the family's ancestors. This mask is over 50 years old.

These antelope headdresses were traditionally worn by a member of "Sawadougu" (a special Kurumba clan). Dancers wearing the headdresses symbolically plow the soil during funerals, honouring the return to earth. When not in ceremony, they serve as shrines to offer continued prosperity.

This impressive mask embodies the Wild Boar, who is considered to be a protective anaimal that wards away troublesome beasts like the hyena. It is paraded during agricultural and harvest celebrations as a mighty and benevolent spirit.

Antique Yatenga Mask
Mossi People

95x 45cm
$495

Medium Antelope Headdress
Kurumba People

85 x 25cm
$350

Large Antelope Headdress
Kurumba People

145 x 35cm
$600

Wild Boar Mask
Bobo People

76 x 22cm
$495

The Nuna communities of Burkina Faso are formed around the worship of natural spirits. The crocodile's body is covered with scales in the form of a checkerboard pattern, representing the separation between knowledge and ignorance. The crocodile masks are danced in pairs, with fluid, undulating motions.

This male initiation mask represents a guardian spirit. It is danced during ceremonies to ensure a peaceful passage into to adulthood.

Antelopes are considered highly significant animals throughout West Africa, symbolizing protection, strength and prosperity. This large mask is used by the Bobo people during agrarian ceremonies to summon bush spirits who chase away evil. The accompanying dance is performed to purify the land for a successful planting and harvest.

Mossi Figural Female Mask
Mossi People

67 x 13cm
$190

Crocodile Mask
Nuna People

80 x 20cm
$160

Initiation Mask
Bobo People

120 x 25cm
$295

Antelope Mask
Bobo People

85 x 35cm

SOLD

Large Antelope Mask (Burkina Faso)

XL Wilder beast Mask (Burkina Faso)

Tall Water Lady

Giant Butterfly Mask
Bwa People

170x 140cm
$700

Guinea

Banda masks were the property of the Simo men's society, which historically oversaw and regulated fertility and initiation ceremonies. Today it is danced primarily for entertainment.

Djagbe is the name of a Malinke-rhythm from Guinea that was originally played at the ending of the Ramadan. A rejoicing happening where men and women dance together in this circle-dance.

Konden is a Malinke mask from Wassolon region and the dance dedicated to the young men between the ages of fifteen and twenty.

Banda Mask
Baga Peope

30 x 14cm
$140

SOLD

Banda Mask
Baga People

30 x 17cm
$150

Djagbe Mask
Malinke Peope

00 x 00cm
$110

Konden Mask
Malinke Peope

30 x 020cm
$170

Konden is a Malinke mask from Wassolon region and the dance dedicated to the young men between the ages of fifteen and twenty.

New masks landing soon.

Konden Mask
Malinke Peope

30 x 20cm
$170

Mask
People

00 x 00cm
$00

Mask
People

00 x 00cm
$00

Mask
Peolpe

00 x 00cm
$00

Ghana

These pocket-sized masks share a wide variety of uses, serving as tokens for initiated men, and given to children to ward off evil spirits or cure illnesses. Small masks placed on shrines would receive the offerings and prayers of their owners, and over time accumulate a rich patina of different substances that obscure their features.

A modern mask - made in the traditional style for ornamental purposes.

This Ashanti mask was traditionally used in ancestral rites. The masks themselves are not worshipped - they serve as intermediaries through which the spirits of the ancestors are contacted. Ritual offerings and petitions are made in the belief that the spirits will come to the aid of the living.

A modern mask - made in the traditional style for ornamental purposes.

Passport Mask
Ghana

22 x 15cm
$20

Contemporary Mask
Ghana

45 x 20
$40

Ceremonial & Fertility Mask
Fante People

50 x 15cm
$60

Contemporary Mask
Ghana

60 x 15cm
$60

A modern mask - made in the traditional style for ornamental purposes.

Stylistically parallel to Luba masks, these protective Ashanti masks embody wise protective, bird spirits. They are worn during full moon celebrations to encourage a plentiful harvest, and during funeral ceremonies to ensure the safe passage of the deceased to the spirit world.

New masks landing soon

Contemporary Mask
Ghana

60 x 30cm
$220

Ashanti Mask
Akan People

30 x 25cm
$95

Mask
People

00 x 00cm
$00

Ivory Coast

New masks landing soon

This Goli mask is worn on many occasions and for many purposes. It symbolises creatures in the Baule pantheon of mythical animals and beings whilst also symbolising fertility during agricultural and commemorative ceremonies. The Goli is also paraded during the occasions of a new harvest, the visit of dignitaries and funeral ceremonies.

Though generally autonomous, villages are often joined through secret societies known as Poro (males) and Sando (females), which are responsible for the initiation of boys and girls into adulthood and different levels of society. These masks are worn during rituals and ceremonies, which guide initiates and members in areas of religious wisdom and knowledge.

Tall Water Lady

Mask
People

00 x 00cm
$00

Goli Harvest Mask
Baule People

50 x 30cm
$140

Goli Harvest Mask
Baule People

42 x 42cm
$150

Kpelie Mask
Senufu People

36x 15cm
$100

SOLD

Tall Water Lady

Ndoma masks portray an honoured person of the village who is celebrated during a ceremonial dance known as Mblo. They represent the Baule people's idealised vision of beauty, depicted through their carefully carved features, elaborate hairstyles, and scarification.

This mask was likely commissioned to commemorate a great warrior. It is stylistically akin to Dogon and Bamana Masks of Mali while maintaining classic Baule features. The number of horns on these masks symbolise acquired levels of knowledge. The thinly carved eyes indicate a young warrior who showed reverence and respect for tribal elders, both living and deceased.

Mblo Mask
Baule People

26 x 17cm
$95

Mblo Mask
Baule People

26 x 20cm
$95

Mblo Mask
Baule People

28 x 15cm

SOLD

Victory War Mask
Baule People

52 x 20cm
$160

This Ndoma mask portrays a Baule Princess, celebrated during a ceremonial dance known as Mblo. The antelope horns are indicative of a strong and protective persona.

Tall Water Lady

Mblo Mask
Baule People

45 x 24cm

SOLD

Mblo Mask
Baule People

30 x 15cm
$100

Princess Mask
Baule People

42 x 26cm
$165

Antique Mblo Mask
Baule People

30 x 18cm
$495

A modern mask - made in the traditional style for ornamental purposes.

Tall Water Lady

Kpeli Initiation Mask
Senufo People

30 x 18cm
$120

Kpeli Initiation Mask
Senufo People

35 x 25cm
$120

Port du Pharmacie
Senufo People

45 x 12cm
$165

SOLD

Port du Pharmacie
Senufo People

50 x 10cm
$200

This beaked mask embodies the spirit of the hornbill, a bird of enormous symbolic importance throughout most of Africa. Such masks are designed to instil fear through their appearance combining human and animal features to enhance the masks' aggressive be ha vi our. It represents the spirits of the bush called to establish order and are intended to exert a certain social control and chase away evil forces

Yaure Masks depict the connection between the spirit and human worlds, communing in long and elaborate ceremonies. The masks are considered very powerful emblems of Yu spirits, and villagers handle them with extreme caution. They typically function to purify and restore social balance after bereavement.

The Dan people believe that spirits of the wild - known as Du - manifest themselves in masks, masquerading to humans to instruct and sustain them in life. These masks incarnate a female beauty, worn by dancers with gliding steps and graceful movements. She entertains and instructs the village in peaceful pursuits, regulating disagreements and protecting children.

Bird Mask
Senufo People

33 x 15cm
$105

Yaure Mask
Yaure People

44 x 30cm
$160

Protection Mask
Dan People

38 x 20
$120

Protection Mask
Dan People

48 x 48cm
$225

SOLD

New masks landing soon.

Mask
People

00 x 00cm
$00

Mask
People

00 x 00cm
$00

Mask
People

00 x 00cm
$00

Mask
People

00 x 00cm
$00

Mali

New masks landing soon

These masks are revered as channels to extremely powerful spirits who convey messages, frighten away evil and cure illnesses. They also symbolise fertility and are used during male rights. The horns represent protective bush spirits such as the antelope and buffalo. Tribes would perform agrarian ceremonies and the masks would be worn to invoke the spirits to grant abundant agricultural yields and successful hunting and fishing trips.

Small Sun Mask (Burkina Faso)

Tall Water Lady

Mask
People

00 x 00cm
$00

Marka Mask
Bambara People

60 x 30cm
$220

Marka Mask
Bambara People

68 x 25cm
$220

Harvest Mask (Burkina Faso)

Tall Wat

These masks are revered as channels to extremely powerful spirits who convey messages, frighten away evil and cure illnesses. They also symbolise fertility and are used during male initiation rights. The horns represent protective bush spirits such as the antelope and buffalo. Tribes would perform agrarian ceremonies and the masks would be worn to invoke the spirits to grant abundant agricultural yields and successful hunting and fishing trips.

Small Sun Mask (Burkina Faso)

Worn in festivities to celebrate the manifestation of the mythical animal that taught the Bambara people how to farm. This animal does not directly correspond to any known species, rather it is a composite creature made up of the features of several species including various antelopes, anteaters, pangolins, guinea fowl and chameleons.

These masks are revered as channels to extremely powerful spirits who convey messages, frighten away evil and cure illnesses. They also symbolise fertility and are used during male initiation rights. The horns represent protective bush spirits such as the antelope and buffalo. Tribes would perform agrarian ceremonies and the masks would be worn to invoke the spirits to grant abundant agricultural yields and successful hunting and fishing trips.

Tall Water Lady

Marka Mask
Bambara People

69 x 18cm
$290

Marka Mask
Bambara People

70 x 23cm
$290

Tyiwara Headdress
Bambara People

75 x 25cm
$295

Other Masks

Traditionally worn during war by leaders as military costume, these masks were designed to terrify and intimidate the enemy. The all-seeing eyes are connections to mighty warrior ancestors. In the modern era, they are worn during funeral ceremonies to honour the dead.

This mask embodies the spirit of an ancestor and was used for social control by Ngil, the judiciary association. Traditionally worn by members acting as a policing power during ceremony, and on occasion by those handing down sentences to wrongdoers

Harvest Mask (Burkina Faso)

Tall Water Lady

Grebo War Mask
Grebo People :: Liberia

36 x 25cm
$180

SOLD

Ngil Fang Mask
Gabon

40 x 12cm
$110

Unidentified Mask
Unknown

38 x 38cm
$100

SOLD

Senegalese mask carved from Dugura/bush mango hardwood

This mask embodies the Ngi (the gorilla); a formidable animal strongly associated with initation. During initiation rites, its appearance signifies and validates an initiates full membership into society.

This mask represents a female guardian spirit during the initiation of young girls, funerary rites, ancestor cults, and also in dances of the full moon. The white kaolin pigment symbolises protective powers, which control harmful forest spirits. The Punu people only make masks of women, depicting elaborate hairstyles and beautiful features. They are worn by Moukouji initiates who often perform on stilts.

Used in male Toma initiation rituals, this mask signals the beginning of the rite of passage. It represents the great spirit of the forest summoning the boys for the coming-of-age trials.

Tall Water Lady

Dugura Mask
Dakar :: Senegal

45 x 17cm
$95

Gorilla Initiation Mask
Bulu People :: Cameroon

56 x 27cm
$195

Apono Ceremonial Mask
Punu People :: Gabon

50 x 35cm
$180

SOLD

Toma Initiation Mask
Toma People :: Liberia

68 x 25cm
$290

Masks

Burkina Faso

Guinea

Ghana

Ivory Coast

Mali

Other Masks

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