I love African art having been born in South Africa and having lived there for a time as well as having had relatives in South Africa and Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia). My mask collection includes 60 to 80-year-old examples from numerous African countries (Mali, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Congo, etc.) from the following tribes: the Lega, Bamana, Marka, Mossi, Dogon, Dan, Songye, Suku, Bwa, Black Bobo, Punu, Bamileke, Fang, Eket, Urhobo, Salampasu, Kwele, Yoruba,, Kuba, etc.
They’re so beautiful! I work in a thrift store as quality control for merchandise and we often get hand carved wooden art pieces from Africa. They are beautiful but I never buy masks. I’ve purchased a gorgeous female figure that looks like a mother or goddess kind of vibe, but some of them appear to be ceremonial to me, though I’m ignorant as to whether or not they actually are. It always makes me wonder why they ended up in our care though! Why would someone give away such beautiful masks and carved figures?? 😱 Even he knows you tread lightly. Magickal, spiritual people…their tools are better left alone sometimes. Aesthetically they are amazing!
I have many of my African masks displayed along the top perimeter of the walls in my bedroom and it's interesting that my previous girlfriend while half-asleep beside me said that the masks were watching over us and protecting us. She is Hindu-Indian and she could even detect vibrations being emitted by a Yoruba maternity figure I have in my living room. I think the masks and fetishes I have know that I respect them and revere them (and like this gentleman in the video, I do talk to them now and then), so hopefully, they are happy in my home. :)
I have collected many more African Masks and hung them since my last reply. I have also bought several African Art books. I wish I have traveled and seen what you have.
It's a beautifully displayed collection, but as an African art collector myself with roughly 40 masks, 14 shields, two spears, a sword, and over a dozen fetish statues, as well as stone carvings from various African tribes and countries, not to mention having over 30 books as well as 20 Sotheby's catalogues dedicated to African art, I can say that his masks, though wonderful in their own way, are not particularly old or tribally used masks. He was right though that tribally used masks have more wear and tear and even have areas that have been rubbed smooth from repeated use. I doubt that many of his masks are older than 25 to 40 years old, but I do admire and share his passion for African art and as I said, he has displayed his extensive collection beautifully. Even as newer pieces, they are still better than a lot of junk one sees on eBay. The sad reality too is a lot of the best African art is already in museums or in private collections and modern African art has become a caricature of itself with each new generation which pales in comparison to older, tribally used masks, so even if one recognizes that some of his masks are (or are in the style of) Dan masks from Liberia, or Punu masks from Gabon, or Songye masks from the Congo, or Mossi masks from Burkina Faso, they are not old or particularly valuable examples (not like masks sold through Sotheby's, for example, with provenance as well as obvious age and wear), but they are great pieces of décor and wonderful conversation pieces, for sure. Who wouldn't want to spend time with this gentleman to discuss his collection and talk about African art? I'd take that offer all day long, so bravo to him for allowing viewers to see his collection that he has lovingly and respectfully curated in his home.
As a Congolese who loves the "art" from my country, I'm not quite sure how to respond to this. I have plenty of masks, and you are right, all of them new and all of them beautiful. I would have loved to buy older pieces if I could afford them or better yet, find them. Unfortunately, we know where those are. I'm not one to point fingers, but sometimes, fingers need to be pointed. I am sure you paid a fair prices for all that art.
He dropped some jewels. Before/when you buy, check to see if the mask has been used in a ritual or ceremony. Speak to it and ask for guidance before bringing into your home. Ase’
No, he’s a friend who’s well traveled and spent a lot of money on those mask and a lot were his moms. Now there are cheap African mask you can find at retailers from time to time but these are the real deal, hand craved.
No way, I study masks, the one with the large metal eyes comes from the Dan tribe in Liberia. It would fetch a hefty price! I saw Puno masks, and so many expensive ones, Songye, etc...
