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Masks
(2,601 items)Explore NOVICA's Gallery of Masks. For centuries, masks have appeared in many guises. From burial ceremonies to religious celebrations, and from theatrical productions to carnival disguises, they have captivated the beholder. As you explore our collection, you'll discover unique traditional and contemporary masks handcrafted by global artisans in materials ranging from jade to papier mache and from hand-carved woods to leather.
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PREVThe Village Council
Your answers straight from the village experts
How do you decorate your home with masks?
Masks have long been used ashome dcor, especially for the eclectic and worldly decorator. Theyre a thoughtful way to tell a story, bring depth and texture to a wall, and complement the rest of your global style. They can also be used to... read more
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Featured Reviews on Masks
African mask, 'Safety and Security'
By Theana
Beautiful art!
I have it displayed in a discreet corner of my main room and it has a commanding presence. Not too big, not small at all. Just right.
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Wood mask, 'Face of a Warrior'
By Bonnie
Museum Quality Jaguar Warrior
I received Face of a Warrior today and truly love it. Jose Canil Ramos is a very talented artist. This mask will have a prominent place in my house and will be greatly admired by everyone who lays eyes on it. There are scores of jaguar warriors out there created by some very talented artists. I have another jaguar warrior mask, which I also love, but this mask is more dramatic and compelling. When I saw it, I had to have it. Kudos to a skillful and talented carver!
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African beaded wood mask, 'Speckled Sun'
By Julie
This Is Now A Cherished Heirloom!
I would like to thank Awudu Saaed for this extremely exquiste Afircan mask. It is adds beauty and enhances my African mask collection!
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Spotlight on African Masks
Historically, African masks were only to be worn by chosen or initiated people for special ceremonies related to such important events as war preparations, harvest, funerals, or hunting. Masks are believed to embody the spirit of an ancestor, and symbolize a message of wisdom, prosperity, security, and power. Carvers undergo many years of specialized apprenticeship until achieving mastery of the art. This is important to Novica master carvers, who proudly mention it in their biographies, for it means they have earned the honor to replicate ancestral masks, as well as to create original designs.
Novica's extensive African Masks collection includes the work of talented master carvers such as George Asante, who chose to go to the Akuapim hills for his apprenticeship. He specializes in Ghanaian tribal masks, such as Ewe, Akan, Aburi, as well as Nigerian masks. Carver Walter Kuma has always been passionate about African artistry, which is why he became a master carver. His masks personify his pride in his country's traditions, and he hopes to instill that same passion in those who now apprentice with him. Daughter of a renowned master carver, Ellen Akosua Amoako is one of the few women in Ghana to be successful in a traditionally all-male art form. She masterfully replicates the unique stylizations of the Ewe tribe (Ghana), as well as the Senufo (Ivory Coast, Mali, and Burkina Faso), and Grassland (Cameroon), amongst others.
