Carved African Masks

[diggummup]

Found these hand carved wooden masks last week. Paid $60 for the lot of 6. They are from the Ivory Coast. They come from different tribes. I think they are from the Punu, the Guro and the Baule tribes. But I'm still trying to learn the differences. Not my usual subject of interest but They were there, the price was right, and they look cool as heck. I figure I can get at least $30-$50 each for them, maybe a little more for one or two. I'm still learning my new computer so the pic is limited to one until I figure out how to edit them with some kind of speed. Thanks for looking.

 

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[vpnavy]

Nice buy. Thanks for sharing...

 

[acevillav]

Way cool score Dig! My question is how do you tell an authentic piece from tourist art from a fake ? Please teach so I may learn. Thanks HH Ace

 

[diggummup]

I really don't have a clue about African art or these masks. I think most of the ones you find are tourist pieces. I figured at $10 a piece no matter what I could triple my money. Most of them have been made within the last 75 years. Here is a little info.- Determining Age of an Antique Mask | Lotus Masks

 

[gino22]

I'm also clueless when it comes to African art, but these have quite a bit more character than the tourist junk I am used to seeing. Am particularly fond of the one top and center. They should do very well, nice catch

 

[forgetaboudit]

I absolutely love wooden masks! I almost always try buying them when I see them (Even if they aren't for sale). Good find and great price!!

 

[Tallone]

Tourist piece or not, I like those masks a lot. For $10 each I would have bought them too.

The question of whether or not these are old made me think of something else to be on the lookout for and precisely what to look for. I am talking about mola art made by the Kuna tribe in Panama. Rather than hijack dig's thread, I will start a new one and provide details and pics there.

 

[Tallone]

Tourist piece or not, I like those masks a lot. For $10 each I would have bought them too.

The question of whether or not these are old made me think of something else to be on the lookout for and precisely what to look for. I am talking about mola art made by the Kuna tribe in Panama. Rather than hijack dig's thread, I will start a new one and provide details and pics there.

 

[golfpro]

diggummup,

I have done a little research pertaining to Ivory Coast ceremonial masks. I have three in my African collection. There are six easy observations that can help you determine possible fakes. Its like the magnet test on sterling silver, if the magnet sticks you can rule out silver. However, if the piece is non magnetic, more tests are needed to determine for sure your piece is sterling. I seen Ivory Coast ceremonial masks for sale at auction for up to $14,000.00. You may want to make these observations before you sell.

1. Check the back of the mask for wear, including the holes for fastening the mask with straps to the face. The wearer does a lot of moving in the ceremonies, and contact between body and wood can leave sweat and oil stains as well as wear.
2. Look for wear from forehead, cheeks, chins and noses. The mask should show signs of extended use over a long time period.
3. Smell the mask for a hint of smoke odor that may have come from a mask being used near ritual fires or stored in houses heated by wood. It will smell just like a campfire.
4. Look for evidence of the use of wooden or primal tools, if the holes in the mask look like they were made from a mechanical drill you know something is up.
5. Check for discoloration of the paint. As it ages, the paint darkens or it could develop thin cracks or crazing.
6. Signs of fakes: smooth painted faces, no holes to attach raffia or other parts of the ceremonial dress, new paint and obvious use of new tools.

 

[cyberdan]

I just saw a mask simular to those at a yard sale. I picked it up and turned it over. What did I see?

a COST PLUS price tag. I put it down and went on my way. That is Golfpro mentioned about the magnet test.

 

[diggummup]

diggummup,

I have done a little research pertaining to Ivory Coast ceremonial masks. I have three in my African collection. There are six easy observations that can help you determine possible fakes. Its like the magnet test on sterling silver, if the magnet sticks you can rule out silver. However, if the piece is non magnetic, more tests are needed to determine for sure your piece is sterling. I seen Ivory Coast ceremonial masks for sale at auction for up to $14,000.00. You may want to make these observations before you sell.

1. Check the back of the mask for wear, including the holes for fastening the mask with straps to the face. The wearer does a lot of moving in the ceremonies, and contact between body and wood can leave sweat and oil stains as well as wear.
2. Look for wear from forehead, cheeks, chins and noses. The mask should show signs of extended use over a long time period.
3. Smell the mask for a hint of smoke odor that may have come from a mask being used near ritual fires or stored in houses heated by wood. It will smell just like a campfire.
4. Look for evidence of the use of wooden or primal tools, if the holes in the mask look like they were made from a mechanical drill you know something is up.
5. Check for discoloration of the paint. As it ages, the paint darkens or it could develop thin cracks or crazing.
6. Signs of fakes: smooth painted faces, no holes to attach raffia or other parts of the ceremonial dress, new paint and obvious use of new tools.

Thanks golfpro. I will take these out later today and have a closer look. I will probably list them this weekend too. Kind of at a loss as to my start price though. I don't know enough to list at BIN. Maybe I'll start the auctions at $39.99 each and see what happens. I'll update later as to what else (if anything) I find out.

 

[unclemac]

they are all tourist pieces...but they are also all hand done...(well, hand done with power tools anyway)....they were well worth the money as they were all nicely made. Even Cost Plus items are made by local craftsmen.

 

[sk8ermadre]

pretty cool score!