Showing results for "kalaty soumak rug"

Theophilus Sackey creates a mask of powerful artistry of his own inspiration marked on the forehead by a stylized Gye Nyame, the Adrinka symbol of God's omnipresence. Sackey carves the sese wood mask by hand featuring an impressive headdress. Painted black, the mask is embellished with embossed details in a cream hue.

• Overall: 19.3'' H x 7'' W

This beautiful piece was handcrafted by Nengah Sudarsana in Indonesia. An artisan story card will be included with your purchase. Elegant and serious, a black and brown Chihuahua observes his surroundings with guarded reserve. Known as a good companion dog, Chihuahua's are courageous, extremely lively, proud, and enterprising; they give and demand affection. Nengah Sudarsana carves an admirable albesia wood mask taking care to recreate and capture the dog's unique essence as he hand-paints the piece. About the Artist: Nengah Sudarsana; ''From an early age I loved natural things – plants, animals, birds or sea life. When I was still quite young I knew I had an ability to translate nature into artful things of beauty. Although I have no formal art training and work purely from my own inspiration and intuition, I know what looks good and what doesn't look right in a carving. I particularly want to create wildlife and other animal themes in an exact, realistic and original way.''

• Overall: 5.5'' H x 6.7'' W
• Wall-Mounting Hardware Included: Yes

By Abdul Aziz Mohamadu, this handsome mask takes the shape of a bird. "The Wangara people of Mali use this mask during the Moo – Wangara, which celebrates a bumper harvest," he explains. "The festival is to hoot at the hunger that they once experienced. The people are very joyous on this occasion because they recount the bad times when they had to go hungry. Looking at their present state of plenty, there is a lot to be happy about."

• Overall: 9.5'' H x 9.5'' W

Sculpted by hand of native African rubberwood, this face depicts a woman of youthful beauty. Long lashes frame demure eyes and applications of aluminum create intricate patterns on her cheeks and forehead. "Among the Hausa people of Nigeria, such masks are given to a woman by a man as a wedding proposal," says artisan Abdul Aziz Mohamadu. "If she does not return the mask, it means the proposal as been accepted." Named Shawa – Hausa for "Lover's Beauty" – the mask is rubbed with white clay for an aged effect.

• Overall: 13.5'' H x 6.8'' W

Carved by hand, this handsome mask depicts a soothsayer from the Bajokwe tribe of Congo, formerly Zaire. Sinclair Yao Daley gives it a smooth finish with rich brown color from natural cola nut dye. 'This mask is used to predict the people's future and foretell the outcome of situations in their lives,' the artisan explains.

• Overall: 17'' H x 6.25'' W

Higinio Hernandez patiently places each minute bead by hand in the creation of this extraordinary mask. Resplendent in the color and mysticism of Huichol art, it depicts the bright father sun. He crowns a face bearing images of jicuri (peyote) and iko (maize), all symbols of deep spiritual connotation essential to the Huichol tradition.

• Overall: 8'' H x 5'' W