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PORTFOLIO - Masks | Other Carvings
Unless otherwise noted, the majority of Nii’s work is carved from Acacia wood, a wood indigenous to Africa, and features antique brass inlay as well as colour made from natural plant and clay dyes. For more information on Nii’s process in carving click here. Nii Addico is available for commission work. Nii is happy to carve personalized variations on any of the work shown here or to design a custom made piece with a client, including furniture.
PLEASE NOTE: All pieces (or similar works) are available for purchase. For more information please contact Creation Africa. |
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Agoro Mask (ah-gore-oh)
The Agoro mask is from the Dagara tribe located in the Northern regions of Ghana, West Africa. This particular interpretation represents a great queen from the tribe. The shape of her face and her full lips represent joy and happiness. The mask would traditionally be worn during dances to bring playfulness to the village.
Approx 17” in height. Prices start at $500.00
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Akan Mask
This mask is from the Akan tribe in the Central region of Ghana. It used to celebrate the tribes great leaders in special ceremonies and dances. Peace and joy are invoked by wearing this mask.
Antique Brass, Potassium Dye
Approx 13” in height. Prices start at $150.00
Please note this mask style is also available in the clay and plant dye finish |
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Akwaba Mask (ah-kwah-baa)
This large round mask is called Akwaba or welcome. This is a wonderful mask to place in the entrance to one’s home. The face is based on the traditional Ghanaian fertility dolls, versions of which can be found in many different tribes both within Ghana as well as West Africa. This mask makes an ideal housewarming gift.
Large Akwaba Masks (11”) prices start at $300.00. Small Akwaba Masks (6”) prices start at $150.00
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Bawale Mask (baa-wall-ee)
This oval mask comes from the Nanumba and Komba tribes of Northern Ghana. Peace and joy are invoked by wearing this mask. It would be worn during ceremonies and dances of celebration in the village. Only one of the two styles of of Bawale masks is shown here.
Approx 13” in height. Prices start at $100.00
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Bamum
(Baa-Mum)
The Bamum tribe dwells in Cameroon. They reserve the highest allegiance for their lineage ancestors. Ancestral spirits are embodies in the skulls of deceased relatives, therefore a relative’s remains are treated with great care and reverence. Because of this importance, representations of the head are found on nearly all decorated items. This type of mask would be used during initiation. This particular mask features an antelope, which represents safety and protection of the tribe.
Antique Brass, Potassium Dye
Approx 17” in height. $400.00 |
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Dagara Mask (daa - gar- ah)
This mask is from the Dagara tribe, in the north of Ghana. Traditionally the mask would be worn to bring power and courage to the wearer. This is a mask that would be reserved for great chiefs and leaders to wear. Only one of the two styles of Dagara is shown, the other style features iron rings in the ears and nose of the mask.
Approx 18” in height. Masks without rings prices start at $300.00 Masks with rings prices start at $350.00
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Dakorta-Terakota - (dah - cort - ah ter - ah - ko - tah)
This Dakota-Terakota mask is from the Terakota tribe in Northern Ivory Coast. It is a very special design of beads and antique brass. The colours of the beads symbolize unity between Africans and living respectfully upon the earth.
Approx 28” in height. Prices start at $700.00
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Dogon Queen Mask
(d-o-gone)
The Dogon is one of the oldest tribes in West Africa. They live in a remote area of Mali and built one of the first mosques on the continent. This queen celebrates the strength and endurance of the tribe. The lizard represents the ongoing traditions and the hope that they will continue within the tribe, the snake represents rebirth and the hawk represents safety and protection.
Antique Brass, Natural Dyes, Clay
Approx 21” in height. $600.00 |
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Fang Mask
This mask was used at traditional male initiation ceremonies in Gabon, central Africa. The white clay used to colour the mask represents the wearer’s great ancestors. The carved lines on the face show the scarification patterns that this tribe used.
Plant & Clay Dyes
Approx 35” in height $1000.00
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Flat Mask
The Flat mask is from the Akan tribe in the Central region of Ghana. It used to celebrate the tribes great brave leaders in special ceremonies and dances. The yellow border around the head represents the Chief’s crown.
Approx 13” in height. Prices start at $250.00
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Fulani Mask
The Fulani people of West Africa are the largest nomadic group in the world and are primarily herders and traders. Through their lifestyle, they have established numerous trade routes in West Africa. Known for their fine, aquiline facial features, the Fulani are famous for their attractive dress and hairstyles. They are famous for walking all over West Africa.
Antique Brass, Potassium Dye
Approx 16” in height. $200.00 |
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Goro - (gore - oh)
From the banks of the river Volta, in Ghana, the Goro were great warriors who were never defeated by their enemies. Their power united two warring tribes: the Nanumba and Konba. This mask represents their strength and courage. Note the river bird resting on the forehead to bring the spirit of the Volta to the mask. The mask is made from old wood and special ceremonial clay and potassium was used to create an antique look.
This mask took two months to create. Large Goro Masks (30”) prices start at $800.00. Small Goro Masks (25”) prices start at $700.00.
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Female Senufo Mask
This mask would be used to purify a community’s energy from a drought or epidemic. The mask is carved to represent both male and female energies. Prophecy and solutions come to the Shaman by wearing this mask. The Shaman in turn shares them with the village. The female figure represents a return to Mother Earth, for the people in the village to balance the energies.
Ash Wood, Clay -
Approximately 20” in height $650.00
Please note there are many styles of masks from the Senofa tribe that Nii has created. This is an example of just one style. If you would like to see more please email Creation Africa. |
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Traditional Mask -
Historically two masks of this style would be carved and blessed by the village fetish priest (or medicine man) and shared by long distance friends or relatives. Whenever you needed to communicate with your faraway friend, you would put the mask on. They in turn would feel a calling to wear their mask, and once they did you would have the power to converse telepathically. Almost every tribe in Africa has some version of this mask in their own style.
The sword in the forehead represents bravery and courage. The horns in the cheeks represent communication. This mask has a twin mask that is not shown. The two masks together make an ideal wedding gift.
Approx 23” in height. Prices start at $600.00
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Nmalatschey Oblafo - (n - mal - at -chee oo-blah-fo)
Traditionally the Ashanti tribe in Ghana would execute men in all the villages whenever a great chief or King died. This was done to ensure that the tribe as a whole would mourn the leaders passing. This is a carving representing the man that stopped this barbaric practice: he is also an ancestor of Nii Addico, the artist.
Approx 23” in height. Prices start at $200.00
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Yoruba Mask (you-row-ba)
The Yoruba are an extremely ancient tribe in West Africa. Their spiritual philosophy is rooted in the African tradition of working with natural forces and the ancestral realm to better one’s life. The Yoruba system of divination is quite similar to the I-Ching in China. The Yoruba believe in the existence of spiritual beings called Orishas. The artists ancient ancestors were Yoruba and this carving is a tribute to them.
Antique Brass, Potassium Dye
Approx 16” in height. $200.00 |
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