1986 Vintage Handmade Terracotta Fired Clay Wall Mask Decorative Signed Maria A. African Studio Pottery 80s

Details

Description

Vintage handmade fired-clay / earthenware wall mask
Signed on the reverse “Maria A…” and dated 1986

The mask is a … Read more Vintage handmade fired-clay / earthenware wall mask
Signed on the reverse “Maria A…” and dated 1986

The mask is a decorative wall-hanging piece, hand-modelled in fired clay with a black-painted face, mottled glazed headdress, blue glazed decorative elements, and wire-hung clay pendants on both sides. It has holes and a cord on the reverse for wall display.

The style appears Africanist / African-inspired, with visual references to traditional Central African mask forms: elongated face, calm closed eyes, dotted facial decoration, headdress, and pendant-like ear ornaments.
This is sold as a modern decorative studio/art pottery wall mask, not as an ethnographic or ritual tribal mask.

The black face has a mostly matte-painted or burnished finish. The headdress and blue decorative elements have a glossier glazed surface with mottled texture. The clay earrings also appear partly glazed or surface-treated.

The mask has two original-looking earrings attached through the ear holes with thin metal wire. Each side has a dangling clay/earthenware earring composed of hand-formed bead-like elements and a triangular end piece. The earrings' elements have a mottled green/cream surface with dark speckling, visually matching the textured headdress area. The metal wires show age-related oxidation/rust and patina, especially around the connection points. The wires appear functional but should be handled carefully due to age and fragility.

Artist/maker: signed “Maria A…” on the back, the full surname is not clearly readable
Dated: 1986

15.9 H x 11.8 W x 1 D inches
40.5cm H x 30cm W x 2.6cm D
Weight: 1.85kg / 4.08lb


CONDITION: 40 years old, vintage condition with visible age, surface wear, edge wear, small chips/losses, scratches, marks, and irregularities from handmade production. Some areas show exposed terracotta clay beneath the surface finish, especially along edges and high points. The earrings' wires are rusted.
The reverse has a black inscription/marking and a hanging cord. Please review all photos carefully, as they are part of the condition description.

A striking handmade wall mask with strong 1980s studio ceramic character, decorative Africanist influence, and original signed/date inscription on the reverse.

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