African Wood and Embossed Copper Sculpture, 1800s

Details

Description

Item description:
Wonderful ethnic sculpture, African tribal mask of a warrior, hand-carved from solid wood, covered in copper, dating back … Read more Item description:
Wonderful ethnic sculpture, African tribal mask of a warrior, hand-carved from solid wood, covered in copper, dating back to the late 19th century, 1800, African art. The patina covering the object is wonderful, darkening the copper and wood on the back in several places, giving the mask that antique flavor that only the passing of time can give. The copper covering is beautiful, entirely embossed by hand and enriched with small openwork, a work of the highest quality.

Useful information for evaluating the object:
From internet research, we find that African tribal masks are offered at auctions or on online art and antiques sales sites for a minimum of €200-250 up to around €900-1,000. with the more elaborate ones featuring embossed copper and older ones, such as ours, fetching higher prices, even though ours is slightly smaller than the more expensive ones. Prices for particularly special masks can even exceed €3,000.

Final thoughts on the object:
African masks, hand-carved like this one, have historically played a very important ritual and ceremonial role in the traditions of the peoples of Sub-Saharan Africa. Although the symbolic implications associated with each mask vary greatly, there are some features common to almost all African cultures. The person wearing a ritual mask conceptually loses their human essence and transforms into the spirit represented by the mask itself. Those who wear the mask (usually elders or prestigious members of the community) become a sort of medium that allows dialogue with the spirits. I have official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs,
designer records,
or other literature sources and take full responsibility for any authenticity issues arising
from
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