A PAINTED WOOD YU'PIK NORTHERN ALASKAN DANCE MASK

A wooden Yu'pik dance mask from northern Alaska with medium patina. The mask is of a waxy consistency with a long face and a pointed mouth with six carved teeth, with narrow eyes, a peaked brow, and a slender nose. The exterior is painted in white pigment with red lines across the mouth, eyes, and eyebrows. A very well-preserved and rare piece. height 15.9" — 40.5 cm., diameter 8.5" — 21.5 cm.

Est. $22,000/25,000

A WOODEN MALE IVORY COAST HELMET MASK WITH BRONZE, BEAD, SHELL, AND HIDE DECORATION

A wooden helmet mask, of questionable authenticity, in the shape of a male face from the Ivory Coast. The face of the mask is painted black with a gold stripe down a previous chip in the nose, with a continuous carved latticework pattern, with solid bronze sheets over the lips and forehead, also adorned with a covering of green beads. The mask is decorated across the eyeholes with a three-rowed string of white beads, with the sides and the back of the mask and the chin strap adorned with cowrie shells and beautiful black and white shell beads woven into a continuous sheet of cloth fabric. height 10.2" — 26 cm., diameter 11.8" — 30 cm.

Est. $150/250

A CRACKED WOODEN FEMALE MENDE DANCE MASK WITH THREE FACES

A Mende female dance mask from Sierra Leone, badly cracked on one side, with three raised decoration low hanging faces and repeating herringbone and crisscross motifs, with a small staff-like crenellation at the top in the shape of the head of a woman.

The Sande Society is “sacred, and its communion is secret. Sowo, the classical Sande Society mask, is the embodiment of the society, a presentation which Sande has designed to ennoble its member and strengthen the larger community.” (Boone, 153) These masks serve as a reminder to the Mende people of Sierra Leone of the duality of humanity: the human world and the spiritual world. The female Mende masks promote ideas of female beauty, coming of age, and chastity, and the masks appear at initiation rituals, as well as funerals and chief consecrations. height 18.9" — 48 cm., diameter 9" — 22.9 cm.

Est. $175/225

A WOODEN FEMALE MENDE DANCE MASK WITH A ROUNDED AND RIDGED CRENELLATION

A female Mende dance mask from Sierra Leone, with a low-set head with raised and carved facial features and an impressive raised decoration head ornament culminating in a "bun"-shaped peak with various carved geometric patterns, the back with an undecorated rib pattern. height 19.1" — 48.5 cm., diameter 7.9" — 20 cm.

Est. $350/450

A WOODEN FEMALE MENDE DANCE MASK WITH FOUR LEOPARD CARVINGS

A female Mende dance mask from 20th century Sierra Leone with a large crack, the low-set head carved in high relief with noticeable eyes and cheek decoration, the headdress decorated with four leopard carvings staring upwards amongst a geometric pattern of incised lines. height 16.9" — 43 cm., diameter 8.7" — 22 cm.

Est. $350/450

A WOODEN FEMALE MENDE DANCE MASK WITH A SMALL LOBED CRENELLATION

A wooden female Mende dance mask from 20th century Sierra Leone in very good condition with a low-set face with raised features and an intricately carved headdress with various raised geometric patterns culminating in a simple lobed crenellation. height 15.7" — 40 cm., diameter 9.4" — 24 cm.

Est. $350/450

A WOODEN FEMALE MENDE MASK WITH THREE CRENELLATIONS

A light brown female Mende mask from Sierra Leone, carved with a low set face and raised facial features above a ringed neck and below an enormous headdress with herringbone wood carving culminating in three lobed crenellations, one lobed and slightly cracked. height 18.5" — 47 cm., diameter 8.2" — 20.9 cm.

Est. $350/450

MENDE HEAD MASK FROM SIERRA LEONE
This exquisite wooden head mask from the Mende of Sierra Leone, finished in black paint, has been sculpted into the female image. The folds of flesh around the neck are an important physical attribute of the mask to the Mende, along with the small mouth and linear nose, thinly slit eyes, large forehead, carved crested coiffure and black raffia collar.

This piece is of museum quality, because of its wonderful condition with a completely intact raffia collar, as most are often destroyed or missing. The significance of the piece also distinguishes it to be of great importance within the Sande Society of the Mende.

Within the Sande Society of the Mende, each woman has a mask individually made to her specifications, creating a head mask and costume that entirely reflects her individual creativity. This acts within the tradition of the culture, in that the community believes in the unique nature of each woman and her mask. The adornments added to the masks represent her personality, nature, and status within the community. “The mask is made at her request, is her personal property, and reflects her individuality. The community admires these fanciful creations” (see Boone,198). This mask in particular, has been embellished with a center peak flanked by two crests on either side, suggesting the way this woman styled her hair in plaits. The two shapes rising out of the top of the head, could perhaps suggest an animalistic representation, or simply reflect the way in which she styled her hair. The symbolism of these masks, however, are difficult to decipher and are secret to the individual owner. The implications of the head mask run deeper than the way in which it is individually designed and decorated by each woman. “The whole of the Sande spirit is known as Sowo. The sculpted head is the sowo-wui, “the head of Sowo.” Essentially each head mask is a representation of the spirit of Sowo (see Boone, 230). 30" x 8" x 8.5" — 76.2 x 20.3 x 21.6 cm.

Est. $550/600

KIFWEBE MASK OF THE SONGYE TRIBE

A wooden Kifwebe Mask of the Songye Tribe, carved with a knob on the top of its head, a crested forehead, a long linear nose flanked by round protuding eyes, large ears, a square shaped mouth that projects from the face, and an abundance of blonde raffi attached at the base. Unusual for the raffi collar to be intact, as they are commonly destroyed or missing.

Kifwebe masks are worn by the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, made for the Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe association, a form of a policing society that controls the behaviour of society. These masks are worn at the initiation and death of a chief, during coming of age rituals for young men and at many other occasions. This mask in particular was worn by a man, represented by the square shape of the mouth. 28" x 12" x 5" — 71.1 x 30.5 x 12.7 cm.

Est. $1,200/1,400

A RED AND WHITE AFRICAN MASK

A carved and painted wooden African mask decorated with a red and white triangular pattern. A central linear crest sits in the middle of the forehead decorated with a small triangular motif, leading to a large triangular nose with nostrils and a projecting square mouth painted red with a carved crisscross. The mask has carved holes along the perimeter. 14.5" x 9.75" x 5.5" — 36.8 x 24.8 x 14 cm.

Est. $400/600

AN AFRICAN MASK WITH CARVED TEETH

An oval African mask made of wood, mounted on a metal stand. The mask has been painted black and carved with distinctive features. The forehead is marked by a round projection, leading to a pair of small eyes flanking a long, linear nose above an open mouth baring teeth, as though grinning. 12" x 6.75" x 6.5" — 30.5 x 17.1 x 16.5 cm.

Est. $200/400

A WOODEN BANAMA MASK CARVED IN THE SHAPE OF A MONKEY WITH LONG RECTANGULAR EYEHOLES

A light brown wooden Banama mask from the Ivory Coast, carved with long rectangular eyeholes stretching the length of the entire mask. The body of the mask resembles a monkey, with a visible monkey head and ears carved behind the eyeholes at the top of the head. 13.4" x 5.9" — 34 x 15 cm.

Est. $325/400

A WOODEN AFRICAN HELMET MASK WITH REMNANTS OF HAIR DECORATION

A large wooden African helmet mask, possibly of Ivory Coast origin but more similar to a Makonde mask from Tanzania. The face shows remnants of a previous paintjob, with the carved eyelids, nose, and mouth painted in red and the eyes and teeth painted in white. A bare patch of incised wood on the crown of the head shows remains of previous hair decoration. Two large cracks run up the back of the head from the slightly everted neck. 9.1" x 10.2" — 23 x 26 cm.

Est. $175/225

A WOODEN AFRICAN HELMET MASK WITH INLAID HAIR DECORATION

A wooden hollow African helmet mask painted black with traces of red pigment. The face is carved with raised decoration with sunken eyes, a curled nose, and an open mouth with four teeth. The face is surrounded by raised lines of geometric patterns, and the crown of the head is decorated with the remnants of hair decoration, with a small crack running down the left side. Possibly of Beninese or Tanzanian origin. height 7.9" — 20 cm., diameter 8.3" — 21 cm.

Est. $150/225

A MASSIVE WOOD AND HIDE AFRICAN MASK WITH HAY AND FEATHER DECORATION

A massive wood and hide African tribal mask, possibly from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The convex mask is made of wood and woven cloth, with an animal hide back flap, and is adorned with raised woven decoration painted red, white, and black in the shape of a face. The exterior is decorated with a large beard of woven hay, and on the top is stuck a large crown of crimson, grey, and white feathers. height 39.4" — 100 cm., diameter 11" — 28 cm.

Est. $500/550

A RESIN MALE SONGYE TRIBE "KIFWEBE" REPLICA MASK

A wood resin male kifwebe style mask worn by the Songye Tribe of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The mask has a square wooden mouth, distinguishing it as male, large blocked eyelids over hollow eyeholes, a nose rising to a fin over the crown of the head, and is carved with incised stripes up the height of the mask. The kifwebe masks, this one a replica, were worn by the Songye during the crowning and death of their chief, as well as during the initiation of the men of the tribe and during the sentencing of punishments to prisoners. 16.1" x 4.7" — 41 x 12 cm.

Est. $120/150

A BRONZE-COVERED WOOD BAMBARA TRIBE MASK WITH A SPIKED METAL CROWN

A bronze-covered wood mask from the Bambara tribe of southern Mali. The wood is carved minimally beneath the bronze exterior, with slightly-carved facial features and small horns on the top of the mask. The bronze is mounded around the wood like armor, with a spiked crown, horns down the side of the mask, and a metal handle on the crown of the head. Bambara masks are used in initiation, wedding, funeral, and other day-to-day rituals, and are sometimes offered sacrifices. height 13.8" — 35 cm., diameter 5.9" — 15 cm.

Est. $350/450

A WOODEN PAINTED NEPALESE MASK WITH A CROWN

A wooden painted Nepalese mask, used in tribal and religious ceremonies and festivals, possibly depicting a king or an important deity. The face is carved with warm features including a slender nose, half-open eyes, a mouth with a divided mustache, and a crown in the shape of an arabesque with two circular clover-shaped decorations, and is painted in red, green, crimson, and black pigments. height 10.6" — 27 cm., diameter 9.1" — 23 cm.

Est. $250/350

A WOODEN NEPALESE MASK WITH ANIMAL HIDE FACIAL HAIR

A brown unpainted wooden Nepalese mask with carved bands of straight lines crossing the surface. The face is decorated with carved hollow eyes, a projected pointing nose, and a raised decorative mouth, with eyebrows, a mustache, and a beard of animal hide hammered down with small nails. Likely a Nepalese tribal spirit mask used in local and Hindu-Buddhist rituals and dances. height 7.9" — 20 cm., diameter 7.1" — 18 cm.

Est. $200/300

A LARGE WOODEN AFRICAN "BETE" MASK WITH VIBRANT EXTERNAL DECORATION

A large wooden Bete mask from the Ivory Coast, possibly a replica. The exterior is decorated with a crown of shells, placed spotted feathers, a beard of curly and straight copper hair, a head of wiry plant material, and a painted open mouth with a red protruding tongue. The mask itself is concave, with two protective sets of horns decorating the hollow eyes, and the crown of the head is topped with a layer of protective canvas. 13" x 6.3" — 33 x 16 cm.

Est. $225/325

A WOODEN NEPALESE TRIBAL RITUAL MASK WITH A CONCAVE FACE

A brown wooden Nepalese tribal mask used in Hindu, Buddhist, and local religious ceremonies and dances. The mask is of a concave shape and slightly curving, with a large bulbous nose, a protruding forehead, and a mouth with very large carved teeth. 15.4" x 7.3" — 39 x 18.5 cm.

Est. $200/300

A WOODEN NEPALESE TRIBAL RITUAL MASK WITH THREE TEETH

A dark brown painted wooden Nepalese tribal ritual mask with a slightly concave shape and open eyesockets, a flared flat nose, and a frowning mouth with three large teeth. 13.4" x 6.8" — 34 x 17.2 cm.

Est. $200/300

A WOODEN NEPALESE SPIRIT MASK WITH A LARGE ANIMAL HIDE MUSTACHE AND EYEBROWS

A wooden Nepalese spirit mask painted brown with small cracks down the bridge of the nose and left eye socket, decorated with a large delicate animal hide mustache and eyebrows. height 5.9" — 15 cm., diameter 6.7" — 17 cm.

Est. $225/300

A WOODEN NEPALESE "DEMON" MASK WITH INTRICATE GEOMETRIC CARVINGS

A black-painted Nepalese spiritual demon mask, used in religious and tribal dances and festivals to rid the spirit world of evil. The exterior is strikingly carved, with fierce facial features defined by extensive external lines and creases. The headdress and the sides of the face are carved with a variety of geometric motifs, creating a very intense demon visage for the viewers of the ceremony in which it was used. 13.4" x 8.3" — 34 x 21 cm.

Est. $225/325

A WOODEN NEPALESE ANIMAL MASK IN THE SHAPE OF A COW HEAD

A long wooden unpainted Nepalese animal mask in the shape of a cow head, likely used in Hindu ceremonies of bovine veneration. The snout and eyes are carved out of the mask, with the horns either slightly chipped or missing. height 16.1" — 41 cm., diameter 7.2" — 18.3 cm.

Est. $240/300

A CRACKED WOODEN NEPALESE "DEMON" MASK

A wooden Nepalese "demon" mask with a cracked left ear, likely used in tribal and religious ceremonies and dances. The exterior is carved in raised decoration with a fearsome face, an open fanged mouth, two wide eyes,a bulbous nose, and large eyebrows. The head is adorned with a crown with four skulls, originally five, and the forehead is carved with an incised circle. height 11.4" — 29 cm., diameter 7.4" — 18.7 cm.

Est. $140/160

A LONG WOODEN MASK IN THE SHAPE OF A BOAR'S HEAD

A very long large light brown wooden mask in the shape of the head of a tuskless wild boar's head with a flat snout, eyeholes, and carved ears, with two holes on either side for a leather strap. The face is painted with simple black streaks, and is likely of Polynesian origin. 3.7" x 19.3" — 9.5 x 49 cm.

Est. $250/350

A RED PAINTED WOODEN SEPIK RIVER TRIBAL MASK

A large red painted wooden mask from the Sepik River basin of Papua New Guinea. The eyes are hollow and surrounded by white shells, the nose is bulbous and projecting, the mouth is carved out, and the headdress resembles a rounded skull cap. Likely a ceremonial tribal mask. diameter 15.4" — 39 cm.

Est. $425/475

A PAINTED WOODEN INDONESIAN DEMON MASK

An Indonesian painted wood demon mask used for ritual dances to symbolically rid the spirit world of evil. The face, with striking features including sharp fanged teeth, wide hollow eyes, a large bulbous nose, and a scrawling carved beard, is painted in shades of red and bone-white, while the crown of the head is surrounded by five menacing carved skulls. 13" x 11" — 33 x 28 cm.

Est. $200/300

A FINELY PAINTED AND CARVED INDONESIAN DEMON MASK

A wooden Indonesian demon mask used in ritual dance performances. The exterior is carved with striking features including a pointed nose, two pointed horns, fangs surrounding a projecting tongue, and a wide open mouth, as well as periodic swirling decoration. The mask is painted red, white, orange, and black, with seemingly demonic circles surrounding the eyes and a single spot on the forehead. 10" x 7.3" — 25.4 x 18.5 cm.

Est. $150/250

A LARGE PAINTED WOODEN INDONESIAN DANCE MASK IN THE SHAPE OF A DEMON

A large late 20th century wooden Indonesian dance mask, painted in red, black, and bone white, with gaping fangs surrounding an outstretched tongue, a bulbous nose, wide multicolored eyes with hollow eye sockets, carved wave decoration around the mouth and eyebrows, and a crown with five skulls on top of the head. height 15.7" — 40 cm., diameter 11.8" — 30 cm.

Est. $150/250

A LONG WOODEN SEPIK MASK WITH INLAID HAIR, BONE, AND SHELL DECORATION

A 20th century long wooden red-painted Sepik River tribal mask from Papua. The face is narrow, with a hooked nose descending to the bottom of the mask with two bone horns, and the eyes are inlaid with small snail shells. The sides of the statue are adorned with hundreds of small inlaid cowrie and snail shells, and the crown of the mask is fitted with curly black hair. height 23.8" — 60.5 cm.

Est. $350/450

A WOODEN PIGMENTED ALASKAN "TWISTED FACE" MASK

A wooden Alaskan "twisted face" mask from Point Hope with a carved and contorted mouth and nose with split lips. The mask is painted with red pigment, and is in excellent condition. height 6.9" — 17.4 cm., diameter 4.4" — 11.1 cm.

Est. $2,500/3,000

A LARGE PAINTED WOODEN CLOWN MASK

A large heavyset wooden clown mask, possibly a Mexican Dia de los Muertos mask. The mask is painted with white and red pigment with black eyebrows, with a long carved nose, hollowed eyes, and a mouth with a projecting tongue. height 11" — 28 cm., diameter 7.9" — 20 cm.

Est. $225/300

A WOODEN BOWL-CARVED MASK FROM TIMOR

A wooden mask from the island of Timor carved from an old wooden bowl. The face is carved with raised decoration including horn-like eyebrows, a bulbous nose, and pursed lips. Height 9.8" — 25 cm., diameter 9.1" — 23 cm.

Est. $150/250

A PAINTED FRAGMENT OF A WOODEN TLINGIT WAR HELMET

A painted wooden fragment of a Native Tlingit war helmet from the late 19th-early 20th century. Northern British Columbia coast. The fragment is painted red and black, with a carved face of a bird amongst carved and painted geometric patterns. length 6.9" — 17.4 cm.

Est. $175/225

A CARVED INDONESIAN MASK WITH SQUARE EYES AND MOUTH
A carved wooden mask from Indonesia mounted on a metal stand. The head mask is surmounted by a carved crown, decorated with a scroll on each side. The face of the mask has extremely articulated features, consisting of large open square eyes, a large projecting nose and an open square shaped mouth with carved teeth on the bottom. The chin of the mask is also square shaped, continuing the theme of squares within the design of the mask and contributing to the angry facial expression of the mask as a whole. 11.75" x 7" x 6.4" — 29.8 x 17.8 x 16.3 cm.

Est. $250/350

AN INDONESIAN FROG MASK

A wooden Indonesian frog mask painted red with white and black speckled decorative motifs. The mask has large eyeballs that project from the face, slits for nostrils and a movable hinged jaw with carved teeth. The mask is mounted on a metal stand. The leather strap at back is broken on one side. 12.756.5" x 6.5" x 6.5" — 32.4 x 16.5 x 16.5 cm.

Est. $200/300

A RUSTIC WOODEN SOUTH AMERICAN DECORATIVE HEAD PLAQUE

A very rustic wooden light brown South American, possibly Chenkay, head plaque with a nose with a large bridge and nostrils, large lidless unpainted eyes, and a solid wood forehead with remnants of the tree from which it was carved. 10.4" x 7" — 26.5 x 17.9 cm.

Est. $300/400

A WHITE AND GOLD FEATHERED VENETIAN-STYLE MASK SIGNED WITH "CAROLYN HARLEY '95" ON THE BACK

A Venetian-style theatre mask with gold and white floral fabric embroidery and long plumed feathers. Signed by Carolyn Harley, a country musician, on the inside edge with the date 1995. 11.8" x 24" — 30 x 61 cm.

Est. $250/300

A LONG WOODEN DECORATOR'S MARKET AFRICAN ANTLER MASK

A long wooden decorator's market African antler mask, possibly in emulation of the horns of an antelope or oryx. The face is carved with deep triangular eyeholes, and the antlers, converging at the top of the mask, are carved with zigzagging triangle motifs. height 45.7" — 116 cm.

Est. $150/180

A CARVED REED-BOUND HUMAN SKULL FROM BORNEO

A black skull from Borneo tied with black painted reed ropes tied around the face, crown, and back of the skull, with the mouth missing teeth. The carving on the top of the skull is a traditional Polynesian swirl decoration, with two large circles on either side of the binding reeds near the back of the head. The face is left uncarved. 6.3" x 7.1" — 16 x 18 cm.

Est. $3,500/4,500

AN ELONGATED WOODEN CARVING OF A SKULL

A wooden skull, possibly for the Decorator's Market, with a small layer of patina or lacquer. The exterior is carved with vivid features, including deep eyeholes with "X" incisions, a rigid jaw with jagged clamped teeth, and a long face with incisions resembling surgical marks on the crown. height 7.5" — 19 cm., diameter 6.3" — 16 cm.

Est. $250/350

A CERAMIC "DEMON" SKULL WITH A PROTRUDING TONGUE

A ceramic "demon" skull, possibly of Mexican origin. The exterior is unpainted with bulging eyes, a slightly cracked skeletal nose, and a mouth with square barred teeth with a protruding tongue, partially broken, also with square teeth. The cranium skull has a small hole, and the skull likely came from a larger statue. diameter 5.3" — 13.5 cm.

Est. $140/160

A WOODEN SKULL-SHAPED HEAD WITH A COCONUT HEADDRESS

A brown wooden skull-shaped head with a pointed nose and ears pierced by copper coloured rope, seashell eyes, a raised smile, and a bulbous coconut headdress. The face is painted red and black, and is likely of Polynesian origin. diameter 11.4" — 29 cm.

Est. $250/350

A COMPLETE HORSE SKULL WITH A NATIVE AMERICAN CARVING OF A FACE


A 20th century horse skull with a separated cranium and jaw of Southern United States Native origin. The exterior is decorated with carved images, including a smiling face and a small house on the cranium and a repeated motif of a horse and an alligator on each side of the jaw. length 9.1" — 23 cm.

Est. $250/350

A FADED PRE-COLUMBIAN STONE CARVING OF A SKULL

A very faded heavy stone carving of a skull with large jagged teeth, sunken eyes, and no nose. Found at Veracruz, possibly of the Classical Veracruz culture from El Tajin. height 7.5" — 19 cm., diameter 6.9" — 17.5 cm.

Est. $400/500

AN EXTRAORDINARILY WELL-PRESERVED SKULL OF A SABRE-TOOTHED CAT

A rare and terrifying large male sabre-tooth cat skull, with strong jaws, striking four inch long sabres, and a well-preserved skeletal structure. Known as "machairodus palanderi," this cat was a dominant predator of the Late Miocene Period in Central Asia, and was larger than the famous Smilodon of the La Brea Tar Pits. The skull boasts less than five percent restoration, and is therefore likely one of the most complete cat skulls ever found from the Prehistoric period. length 16.5" — 41.9 cm.

Est. $65,000/70,000

A GAFF OF A MUMMIFIED HAND

A replica of a mummified hand with grey bandages and reddish-brown skin and yellow nails with the artificial bones of the hand peeling through the base of the bandages. 8.7" x 4.9" — 22 x 12.5 cm.

Est. $175/275

A GAFF OF A SHRUNKEN MALE BODY

A replica shrunken male body inspired by the practices of the Jivaroan peoples of Ecuador, with hard mummified green skin, white barred teeth, long black hair, and a beige loincloth. 21st century. height 20.5" — 52 cm.

Est. $150/200