For additional photos and information about these objects please contact the Safari store at 620-431-2730, or via osasark@yahoo.com
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Baga Nimba Figure
In Guinea, the Baga use an enormous fertility mask called Nimba for their agricultural ceremonies at seed and harvest time...It was carried in procession twice yearly and women of the town throw rice over it.
The upper part of a danced Nimba's body ends in four supports which fit on the dancer's shoulders and he looked through a spy hole between the heavy breasts...It is said that Picasso was inspired by the shape of this figure and his works called "Busts of a Woman" has similar features.
This wooden figure is a smaller version of a danced Nimba and was carved by a Baga artisan in Guinea...It stands at 24.5 inches and the intricately carved wood is accented with engraved metal, cowrie shells, clay beads, string and raffia.
item# - MK-900
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Senufu Mask
Originally from the Senufu peoples of the Cote D'Ivoire, this traditional style of mask stands as a primary symbol of the metaphysical world in which the imperfection of the human existence is strongly emphasized.
The figures are worn on the head, and their form depends upon the group to which they belong, not unlike a coat of arms...The best known are a bundle of palm nuts, the symbol of wood carvers; a bird, usually a Hornbill, the symbol of metal smiths; and a comb, the symbol of agriculture.
This ornate example has beautiful painted and carved decorations as well as a stunning, engraved brass overlay...The figure stands 15 inches tall with a wing span of 8 inches.
item# - MK-63
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Senufu Mask
Originally from the Senufu peoples of the Cote D'Ivoire, this traditional style of mask stands as a primary symbol of the metaphysical world in which the imperfection of the human existence is strongly emphasized.
The figures are worn on the head, and their form depends upon the group to which they belong, not unlike a coat of arms...The best known are a bundle of palm nuts, the symbol of wood carvers; a bird, usually a Hornbill, the symbol of metal smiths; and a comb, the symbol of agriculture.
This ornate example has beautiful painted and carved decorations and cowrie shells...The Hornbill's beak appears to have a minor crack where it touches the chest which has been repaired, perhaps while still in use...The figure stands 4 feet tall with a wing span of 21 inches.
item# - MK-88
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Fang Ngi mask
This mask originated with the Fang Angrgi people in Gabon...It is believed that through ritual performance, using the protective and curative properties of Kaolin, Ngi could increase a person's wealth while protecting him from evil spells and poisonings...The masks were also used to induce obedience and helped to re-establish social order.
This painted wooden mask is 4 feet, 10 inches high by 17 inches wide and has a short raffia neck skirt.
item# - MK-901
item# - MK-88
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Makonde Tree of Life
The "Tree of Life" or "Ujamma" a MaKonde term, is carved directly from the ebony wood tree in Tanzania. The outer, original tree bark is sometimes left intact to highlight the work...In general the tree displays how a typical African village survives by working with nature and by each man supporting one another. The figures: sometimes animals, men, women, children, huts and trees are carved with great detail and vary from tree to tree. The work is exceptional despite the fact that ebony wood is exceedingly dense and very hard to carve. Certain trees exhibit a variance in color from light to dark wood which is very attractive...With the ebony tree the further you go from the center core the lighter the wood becomes. Traditional Ujamma sculptures range in height from 4 feet to 6 feet tall.
item# - MK-909
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