Mask - Africa - African Wooden Mask
03
days
10
hours
30
minutes
16
seconds
Current bid
€ 50
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
 | €50 |
|---|
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 145414 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
African Wooden Mask, a hand-carved Bafum-Bum-style wooden mask from Cameroon’s Grassfields, measures 36 cm high and was carved from a single block.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
African Wooden Mask – Bafum-Bum Style – Cameroon – 20th Century – Carved from a Single Block of Wood
Expressive traditional African wooden mask from the Cameroon Grassfields region, stylistically associated with the Bafum-Bum cultural tradition.
The mask is distinguished by its remarkable sculptural design and the numerous cylindrical and angular projections arranged around the entire head.
A particularly notable feature is that the entire mask was carved from a single solid block of wood. All projections, facial features and decorative elements were carved directly from the original piece of wood, forming one continuous sculpture without separately attached components.
The face features large, gracefully curved eyebrows decorated with deeply incised geometric patterns, narrow slit-shaped eye openings, a prominent triangular nose and a wide, open mouth displaying two carefully carved rows of teeth.
The cheeks are decorated with intersecting geometric incisions resembling traditional scarification patterns.
The numerous wooden projections surrounding the face give the mask its distinctive, powerful and highly sculptural appearance.
The reverse is deeply hollowed out and displays visible carving marks and traces of traditional hand-working techniques.
The dark brown to greyish-black surface exhibits an aged patina with lighter areas, surface wear and exposed wood grain, contributing to the object's distinctive appearance and character.
Object Details
Object: Traditional African Face Mask
Region: Cameroon, Grassfields
Cultural Attribution: Bafum-Bum style
Period: Presumably mid 20th century
Material: Wood
Technique: Hand-carved from a single solid block of wood
Height: 36 cm
Weight: 750 g
Reverse: Hollowed out
Lower Jaw: Fixed, non-articulated
Condition
The mask displays an aged condition with pronounced patina, surface wear, minor cracks and visible traces of wood-boring insect activity.
Several areas show old chips and material losses, particularly around the eye regions and some of the surrounding wooden projections.
The surface exhibits areas of exposed wood, natural aging and evidence of prolonged wear.
These characteristics are clearly documented in the detailed photographs.
The mask is offered in its present condition. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description.
African Wooden Mask – Bafum-Bum Style – Cameroon – 20th Century – Carved from a Single Block of Wood
Expressive traditional African wooden mask from the Cameroon Grassfields region, stylistically associated with the Bafum-Bum cultural tradition.
The mask is distinguished by its remarkable sculptural design and the numerous cylindrical and angular projections arranged around the entire head.
A particularly notable feature is that the entire mask was carved from a single solid block of wood. All projections, facial features and decorative elements were carved directly from the original piece of wood, forming one continuous sculpture without separately attached components.
The face features large, gracefully curved eyebrows decorated with deeply incised geometric patterns, narrow slit-shaped eye openings, a prominent triangular nose and a wide, open mouth displaying two carefully carved rows of teeth.
The cheeks are decorated with intersecting geometric incisions resembling traditional scarification patterns.
The numerous wooden projections surrounding the face give the mask its distinctive, powerful and highly sculptural appearance.
The reverse is deeply hollowed out and displays visible carving marks and traces of traditional hand-working techniques.
The dark brown to greyish-black surface exhibits an aged patina with lighter areas, surface wear and exposed wood grain, contributing to the object's distinctive appearance and character.
Object Details
Object: Traditional African Face Mask
Region: Cameroon, Grassfields
Cultural Attribution: Bafum-Bum style
Period: Presumably mid 20th century
Material: Wood
Technique: Hand-carved from a single solid block of wood
Height: 36 cm
Weight: 750 g
Reverse: Hollowed out
Lower Jaw: Fixed, non-articulated
Condition
The mask displays an aged condition with pronounced patina, surface wear, minor cracks and visible traces of wood-boring insect activity.
Several areas show old chips and material losses, particularly around the eye regions and some of the surrounding wooden projections.
The surface exhibits areas of exposed wood, natural aging and evidence of prolonged wear.
These characteristics are clearly documented in the detailed photographs.
The mask is offered in its present condition. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Material
Wood
Country of origin
Africa
Condition
Fair condition - heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing
Height
36 cm
Width
23 cm
Weight
750 g
Title additional information
African Wooden Mask
Sold by
