maschera - Africa occidentale (Senza prezzo di riserva)

Title: African Wooden Mask – Figurative Mask
Period: second part of 20th century
Origin: West Africa
Material: Hand-carved wood
Dimensions: approx. life-size (exact measurements not provided)
Condition: used condition. Surface wear, abrasions, insect holes, old losses, and erosion consistent with age and use. Traces of old attachments visible on the interior and edges. No modern restoration observed.

Description:
This carved wooden mask originates from West Africa and represents a stylized human face with pronounced facial features, including heavy-lidded eyes, prominent nose, and exposed teeth. The surface displays a darkened patina with areas of lighter wear, consistent with handling and age.

The reverse shows a hollowed interior with multiple perforations along the edges, indicating the former attachment of fiber, fabric, or other organic materials, now lost. These features are typical of masks intended for ceremonial or performative use.

The carving is direct and expressive, with visible tool marks and natural irregularities. Surface wear, insect activity, and small losses should be regarded as honest signs of age rather than damage.

This mask was created for traditional or symbolic purposes, rather than decorative export, and remains a strong example of 20th-century African mask carving suitable for collectors of african art