African Masks/African Art

African Masks are an integral part of the religious, mythical and social rituals of African society. They are an expression of a uniquely African world view shaped by systems and beliefs that form the foundation of African culture. Their aesthetic appeal and strong attraction is undeniable to the collector of African art. The mask speaks a universal language, and that language, even if not fully understood, is appreciated by those who participate in the collecting of African artifacts.

Masks and other African artifacts are among the finest creations in the world of art. The best examples are strongly pursued by collectors and find their way into personal collections or museums. For the average individual, or even those with experience in collecting, the cultivation of knowledge and, an “eye” for the art form, is essential to a successful and satisfying experience. The very nature of these items; their construction from various materials such as wood, metal, leather, ivory, fabric and feathers, can make this a daunting task. Attempts to assess the age of these materials can fool the most experienced collector due to their relatively fast rate of decay in a tropical environment. The quality of the carving however, its adherence to the tradition and aesthetic of the carving community is more readily assessed and evaluated. With time, practice and study of the various masks and their traditions, the novice collector can still find very good values in African art.

Click to see our African Masks And Art collection in our product catalog.

Suggested Books on African Art

• "Masks Of Black Africa" by Ladislas Segy
  
• "The Tribal Arts Of Africa" by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart
  
• "The History Of Art In Africa" by Monica Blackmun Visona, Robin Poynor,   Herbert Cole and Michael Harris
  
• "Africa, The Art Of A Continent" edited by Tom Phillipps
  
• "African Faces, African Figures, The Arman Collection"
  
• "African Masks" by Iris Hahner-Herzog, Marie Kecskesi and Laszlo Vajda
  
• "Baule-African Art, Western Eyes" by Susan Vogel
  
• "African Masks From the Barbier-Mueller Collection" by Herzog, Kecskesi and Vajda