Liberia / Côte d’Ivoire border region
Mid- to late-20th century, circa 1950–1980
Cast copper-alloy face with cowrie shells and textile remains
Height: 11 inches, mask only
This striking African mask has real presence. Its long, composed face—defined by narrow slit eyes, a projecting nose, full lips, scarification, and a strong medial ridge—reflects the restrained elegance collectors admire in works from the Liberia–Côte d’Ivoire region. A dense surround of cowrie shells frames the face like a ceremonial coiffure, giving the mask richness, texture, and immediate visual impact.
Especially compelling is its unusual material. Rather than carved wood, the face is cast in a non-magnetic copper alloy, with soft, varied oxidation that adds age, atmosphere, and depth. The result is both sculptural and intimate: a mask with the strength of metal and the quiet authority of a traditional form.
Stylistically, the piece fits within the broader Dan / Mano / Gio artistic world, where power is often expressed through restraint rather than excess. The simplified features are not plain—they are disciplined, deliberate, and visually strong. The cowries, long associated in West Africa with wealth, protection, and spiritual force, further enrich the mask’s presence, while surviving textile at the edges adds another layer of age and authenticity.
At 11 inches high, this is a highly versatile and highly marketable piece: unusual in material, strong in design, and easy to place in a serious African art collection, a refined interior, or a mixed display of sculpture and design objects. Even on a stand, it retains the sense of presence that makes African masks so enduringly compelling. Custom stand included.
Condition: Good. Greenish oxidation on metal. A few missing cowrie shells.
Dimensions: (Height x Width x Depth) Overall with stand 14 x 9 x 7.5 inches; Mask ony 11 x 9 x 3.5 inches
Liberia / Côte d’Ivoire border region
Mid- to late-20th century, circa 1950–1980
Cast copper-alloy face with cowrie shells and textile remains
Height: 11 inches, mask only
This striking African mask has real presence. Its long, composed face—defined by narrow slit eyes, a projecting nose, full lips, scarification, and a strong medial ridge—reflects the restrained elegance collectors admire in works from the Liberia–Côte d’Ivoire region. A dense surround of cowrie shells frames the face like a ceremonial coiffure, giving the mask richness, texture, and immediate visual impact.
Especially compelling is its unusual material. Rather than carved wood, the face is cast in a non-magnetic copper alloy, with soft, varied oxidation that adds age, atmosphere, and depth. The result is both sculptural and intimate: a mask with the strength of metal and the quiet authority of a traditional form.
Stylistically, the piece fits within the broader Dan / Mano / Gio artistic world, where power is often expressed through restraint rather than excess. The simplified features are not plain—they are disciplined, deliberate, and visually strong. The cowries, long associated in West Africa with wealth, protection, and spiritual force, further enrich the mask’s presence, while surviving textile at the edges adds another layer of age and authenticity.
At 11 inches high, this is a highly versatile and highly marketable piece: unusual in material, strong in design, and easy to place in a serious African art collection, a refined interior, or a mixed display of sculpture and design objects. Even on a stand, it retains the sense of presence that makes African masks so enduringly compelling. Custom stand included.
Condition: Good. Greenish oxidation on metal. A few missing cowrie shells.
Dimensions: (Height x Width x Depth) Overall with stand 14 x 9 x 7.5 inches; Mask ony 11 x 9 x 3.5 inches
