Note:
With the high cost of shipping many of our customers choose to ship by USPS. For small and light shipments this is usually less expensive, but please be aware that their estimates are notoriously wrong. The service is not always as economical as it may appear, particularly on larger or more valuable shipments. USPS estimates only include insurance up to $100 for its domestic shipments, and varying amounts for overseas shipments. If you ask for full insurance we will recalculate the shipping cost and send you an invoice for any difference in cost.

A World of Masks: Masks from Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Pacific

October 8, 2015 to February 9, 2016

This is the season of transition and transformation.  In the spirit of Halloween and Los Dias de los Muertos, the Days of the Dead, Indigo Arts presents a collection of masks from Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Pacific.  They are masks that conceal, but may also reveal the wearer behind them. Masks are agents of celebration and transcendence, of commemoration and transformation.

The exhibit includes dance, festival and ritual masks, of wood, metal and papier maché from many countries, including Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mexico, Nepal, New Guinea, Nigeria and Peru.

"The Mexican, whether young or old, criollo or mestizo, general or laborer or lawyer, seems to me to be a person who shuts himself away to protect himself: his face is a mask and so is his smile. In his harsh solitude, which is both barbed and courteous, everything serves him as a defense: silence and words, politeness and disdain, irony and resignation.... He builds a wall of indifference and remoteness between reality and himself, a wall that is no less impenetrable for being invisible. The Mexican is always remote, from the world and from other people. And also from himslf."

Octavio Paz in The Labyrinth of Solitude, 1961

Bronze Ekpwe Society Mask from Cameroon
SKU: AFM-2205

Cameroon Grassfields region.
Face of man surmounted by male and female monkey figures in headdress.  Lost-wax cast bronze w/ mineral & organic patina (14 1/2” h. x 7 1/2” w. x 3 1/2” d.)

Ex. collection of Jonathan W. Fisher
ex. collection of Ralph Fisher
Purchased from Charles D. Miller III Gallery, New Haven. Ct., 1976.  

$3500

Orodugu Baule mask with horns
SKU: AFM2201

Ivory Coast (Orodugu Baule region)
Wood (12 1/4” h. x 8 1/2” w. x 4 1/2” d.)

Ex. collection of Jonathan Fisher
ex. collection of Ralph Fisher
ex. Indigo Arts Gallery

$1500

Fang Four-faced Janus Mask
SKU: afm-31

Fang people, Gabon
wood w/ kaolin and red oil paint
(14"h. x 10 1/2 dia.")

10% off

$1600 $1440

Fang Mask
SKU: afm-47

Fang people, Gabon
wood w/ kaolin, mineral pigments, brass wire.
(13 1/2"h. x 7 1/2"w. x 4 1/4"d.)

10% off

$1500 $1350

Igbo Water Buffalo Mask
SKU: AFM-109

Igbo people, Nigeria.  Mid 20th century.
Wood w/ mineral pigments, oil paint.  Stand not included.
(13 1/2" h. x 11" w. x 16" d.)
Signed "SPOILAR" on back.

$1250

Dan Poro Mask with blue eyes
SKU: AFM-2202

Poro secret society, Liberia
Wood with glass tube eyes, steel nail in forehead (9" h. x 5 1/4” w. 3 1/2” d.)

Ex. collection of Jonathan Fisher
ex. Charles D. Miler III, 1976.

$1200

Bamum Mask
SKU: afm76

wood w/ mineral pigments
(19 1/4" h. x 9 1/4" w. x 9 3/4" d.)

$1200 (w/ custom stand)

Yoruba Gelede Mask
SKU: AFM-75

Yoruba people, Nigeria
wood w/ oil paint, nails
(15" h. x 9" w. x 13" d.)

$1200 (w/ custom stand)

Punu Mask
SKU: afm45

Punu people, Ngunie river, Gabon
wood w/ kaolin, mineral pigments
(11 1/2"h. x 7"w. x 6"d.)

10% off

$1200 $1080

Makonde Face and Body Mask
SKU: afm-102

wood w/ mineral pigments
(19" h. x 8 1/4" w. x 5" d.)

Ex. Collection of Mary Sue and Paul Peter Rosen

$950

Pair of Fon Gelede Masks from Benin
SKU: AFM-2003

Fon, Benin, late 20th century
Pair of masks - Wood with red, green, yellow, black, white oil paints, remnants of rubber inner tube chin straps.  Initials "S.P." painted on the back of both masks (8” h x 6 1/2” w. x 8 1/2” d., 7 1/4" h. x 8” w. x 7 1/2” d.).  
Ex. collection of Nancy Josephson.  Purchased by collector in Benin, c.2000.

$950/pair

Antique Balinese Barong Mask
SKU: INDOM-027

Marong mask with operable jaws.
Bali, Indonesia, early to mid 20th cent.
Wood, leather, canvas, rubber, fabric, water-based and oil-based paints.
(9" h. x 17" w. x 17" d.).

$850

Fine old Fang "Passport" Mask
SKU: afm95

wood w/ kaolin, mineral pigments
(9" h. x 5.5" w. x 3" d.)

$850

Cameroon Grassfields Mask
SKU: AFM-2009

Grassfields region, Cameroon (probably Bamum people), mid-20th century.
Wood w/ organic patina (13" h. x 9" w. x 6 3/4" d.).

Ex. collection of Jonathan W. Fisher
Purchased in Cameroon, c. 1970. 

$850

Grebo Mask
SKU: afm96

wood w/ mineral pigments
(12.5" h. x 7.5" w. x 3.5" d.)

$850

Iatmul Orator's Stool from middle Sepik River
SKU: PNG-9503

Orator's Stool (teket or kawa rigit).  Iatmul people, Middle Sepik River, Papua New Guinea, mid-20th cent.
Caeved from single piece of wood, with organic pigments, shell eyes and pendants, fibre attachments.
(36 1/2" h. x 20" w. x 20" d.)
ex - collection of George Zafero, collected c.1970s.
Note:  Due to size and weight, this piece will require custom art handling/packing/shipping, or direct pick-up by buyer.  Please inquire for an estimate.

The latmul language group occupies the main part of the middle Sepik River. It is mainly through its prolific and varied art that the whole of the art of the Sepik River has become better known.

Generally, each main ceremonial house has a 'teket', which is used in much the same way as a lectern during formal discussions. The man speaking stands beside or behind the stool and emphasizes his points by beating the stool with three bunches of leaves which are provided. The head is set up on the shoulders, the face is rounder, the transition between brow and eyes is not clear-cut, the eyes are circular, the mouth is large, showing teeth (also found on some Yuat River figures). The nose, with its wide nostrils is emphasized by the vertical line rather than the carving. The roundness of the face at top and bottom is carried though the whole conception of the figure including such details as the pectoral muscles. The holes at the side of the head are for ties of string fibre to hold a small band of cane to which decorations were attached. There are the remains of red paint on the legs. The face itself is painted white, with red at the cheeks and mouth with the darker linear decoration being the wood itself. In Iatmul society it was the privilege of homicides only to paint their faces white and black. The 'teket' "are sacred and must not be casually touched and are not used as seats" (Gregory Bateson, 'Social structure of the Iatmul people of the Sepik River', Oceania, 2: 289, 260, plate 1, 1932).

Above text from AJ Tuckson, 'Some Sepik River art from the collection', Art Gallery New South Wales Quarterly, vol 13, no 3, 1972, pg. 671

 

This object was made by a member of the Iatmul [YAHT-mool] cultural group from the Middle Sepik region of Papua New Guinea (part of Melanesia). The religious life of the Sepik River was dominated by men’s societies, and wood carving of this kind was done exclusively by men. The artist who created this Orator’s Stool began by cutting the shape out of a large piece of wood. He then used sharp objects like obsidian knives or rodents’ teeth to further shape the figure and to carve details. To decorate the figure, he attached raffia around its waist, wrists, and ankles. He used feathers and shells to ornament the head. It’s possible that the artist painted the figure with charcoal, lime, or ochre.

This sculpture would have been kept inside a special house called a Men’s House, where Iatmul ceremonial activities often take place. Typically, each Iatmul community or town contains a few of these buildings, which serve as the center of community and celebration. The buildings are both visually imposing, as well as socially and spiritually influential. Women and uninitiated men are not able to enter the house.

WHAT INSPIRED IT

Every Iatmul community has its own ceremonial chair, similar to this one. This Orator’s Stool (also called a “speaking chair”) is not meant to be sat upon, but is used during village meetings, debates, and tribal ceremonies. During a discussion, the speaker stands next to the orator’s stool and hits the top of the stool with a cluster of leaves, sticks, and grass to validate important points in his argument. He also places leaves on the chair to confirm his statements. When the first speaker is finished and all the leaves lay on the chair, the next speaker can begin his address. After all of the speakers have stated their arguments, the village chief hits the chair a few more times and states a decision for all to follow. Orators also use these chairs to tell the comunity about the clan’s history and mythology while hitting the chair with a bundle of leaves to emphasize points.

The human figure is a common form in Sepik River art. As seen in this sculpture, figures were often given an elongated head and torso and short limbs. Special emphasis was placed on the head to show that it is the most important part of the body, where the spirit resides. The artist carved an elongated nose, possibly in imitation of a bird’s beak, and the nose is pierced with ornaments made of bone or boar’s tusk, just as the Iatmul people wear. The incised patterns on the chest and arms represent scarification patterns that would be seen on many Iatmul men. Scarification is part of a young man’s initiation into the men’s secret society and the scars are considered marks of beauty and status.

Above text from description of similar piece at Denver Museum of Art.

$1600

Product Status: 
Sold
"Snake and Antelope" Janus Headcrest for Odelay Performance
SKU: AFM-104

“Snake and Antelope” 

Odelay Masquerade Headcrest

Temne people, Sierra Leone, 

20th century

wood, w/oil enamel, steel nails, fabric attachments

35" x 8" x 9"

$950

Product Status: 
Sold
Bobo Butterfly Mask
SKU: AFM-111

Bobo people, Burkina Faso. 20th century.
Wood w/ mineral pigments.
(17 3/4" h. x 64” w. x 9 1/2” d.).

10% off

$900

Product Status: 
Sold
Leather Tigre Mask (#mxm075)
SKU: mxm-075

Acatlan, Guerrero, Mexico,
c. 1980's.
Leather w/ oil paint, mirrors, w/ custom steel stand.
(9" w. x 7" d. x 14" h.)

10% off

$775 incl. custom stand

Product Status: 
Sold
Igbo Mwuo (Maiden-spirit) Mask
SKU: AFM-73

Igbo people, Nigeria
wood w/ mineral pigments, oil paint
(18 1/2" h. x 8 3/4" w. x 13" d.)

Includes Custom Stand

20% off

$950 $760

Product Status: 
Sold
Diablo con Serpientes Mask from Mexico
SKU: MXM-135

Diablo mask with three snakes, dance and state undetermined - Mexico,
early 20th century
wood, oil paint, ribbon
(14” w. x 9.5” d. x 22”h.).
Ex. Brand collection.

$650

Product Status: 
Sold
Maque Snake mask from Michoacan
SKU: MXM-142

Unsigned but attributed to Victoriano Salgado Morales (1920 - 2012)
Dance of Los Viejitos.  Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico,
mid-20th century
"Maque" lacquer on carved wood.  (9 3/4” h. x  6 3/4” w. x 4” d.)

$550

Product Status: 
Sold
Old Mask with mustache  from Guerrero
SKU: MXM-151

"Negrito Colmilludo" (tusked little black one) mask.  
Artist Unknown.  Probably Coastal Mixtec, Guerrero or Oaxaca, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint.
(7 1/2" h. x 7” w. x 4” d.)
Tag on back says "Zorroros"

Ex. collection of Jonathan Fisher

$550

Product Status: 
Sold
Viejo Mask
SKU: MXM-078

Attributed to Victoriano Salgado Morales (1920 - 2012) Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico,
c. 1990
"maque" lacquer, wood, animal teeth
(6 3/4" w. x 5" d. x 7 1/2" h.)

 

$475

Product Status: 
Sold
Diablo Mask with Reptiles
SKU: MXM-118

Guerrero, Mexico, 20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint, animal horn, misc. materials.
21” w. x 21" h. x 12” d.
From a private collection.

$395

Product Status: 
Sold
Diablo (Blue Devil) Mask (#mxm113)
SKU: mxm-113

Manuel Abeiro Horta Ramos
Tocuaro, Michoacan, Mexico,
c.2014
wood, oil enamel
(8" w. x 7 1/2" d. x 9 1/2" h.)

$385

Product Status: 
Sold
Tecuan Mask - Dance of the Tejorones
SKU: MXM-128

Tecuan Mask - Dance of the Tejorones - Cuatepec, Guerrero, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil-based paints.
6 1/4” w. x 7 3/4” h. x 3 1/2” d.
Ex. Brand collection.

$375

Product Status: 
Sold
Lega Mask
SKU: afm-105

Lega people, D. R. Congo
wood w/ kaolin, mineral pigments
(17" h. x 9" w. x 4" d.)
With letter of provenance from previous owner.

25% off

$375

Product Status: 
Sold
Chivo Mask (#mxm085)
SKU: mxm-085

Carnaval de Chivos - San Bartolo, Hidalgo, Mexico,
c. 1990's
wood, oil paint, goat horn, Horse hair, ribbon, steel wire
(9" w. x 5" d. x 18" h.)

$365

Product Status: 
Sold
Huichol artist
SKU: hcm074

Huichol people, Nayarit, Mexico, c. 1980's
Beads pressed into beeswax on wood mask
(8" w. x 2" d. x 13 1/2" h.)

$350

Product Status: 
Sold
Maringuilla Mask (#mxm114)
SKU: mxm-114

Juan José Horta Ramos
Tocuaro, Michoacan, Mexico,
c.2014
wood, oil enamel
(7" w. x 4 1/2" d. x 8" h.)

$325

Product Status: 
Sold
Diablo Mask with Reptiles
SKU: MXM-119

Guerrero, Mexico, 20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint.
8 1/4” w. x 16 1/2" h. x 7 1/4” d.
Ex. Brand collection.

20% off

$325

Product Status: 
Sold
"Negrito" Mask with Crown from  Michoacan
SKU: MXM-122

Michoacan, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint, with crown of steel, paper, string, mirror, misc. materials, with custom steel stand.
6 1/2” w. x 11”h. x 6 1/2” d., not including metal stand.
Ex. Brand collection.

$325

Product Status: 
Sold
Mixtec Viejo Moor Mask
SKU: MXM-125

Mixtec region, Oaxaca, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint, with animal hair on skin.
6" w. x 8 1/2” h. x 3 1/4” d.
From a private collection.

$325

Product Status: 
Sold
El Pocho Dance Mask from Tabasco
SKU: MXM-131

El Pocho dance - Teposque, Tabasco, Mexico,
c. 1970's
wood, automotive oil paint,
(6" w. x 5" d. x 7 1/2" h.).
Ex. Brand collection.

 

$325

Product Status: 
Sold
Diablo Mask
SKU: MXM-076

Pastorela dance - Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico,
c. 1990
lacquer, wood, animal teeth, cow horns
(15" w. x 6 1/4" d. x 11 1/2" h.)

 

$320

Product Status: 
Sold
Diablo "Satanas" Mask
SKU: MXM0-077

Pastorela dance - Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico,
c. 1990
lacquer, wood, animal teeth, cow horns
(13" w. x 6 1/4" d. x 11" h.)

$320

Product Status: 
Sold
Venado Mask (#mxm097)
SKU: MXM-097

Carnival - Carpinteros, Hidalgo, Mexico,
20th century
wood, oil paint
(22" w. x 5" d. x 19" h.)

$310

Product Status: 
Sold
Chantolo Mask from Hidalgo
SKU: MXM-126

Chantolo mask - Chililco, Hidalgo, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint.
6 1/4" w. x 8 1/4” h. x 4” d.
Ex. Brand collection.
 

$295

Product Status: 
Sold
Chantolo Mask from Hidalgo
SKU: MXM-130

Chantolo mask -  Hidalgo, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil and mineral-based paints.
6 1/4" w. x 8 1/4” h. x 3 1/2” d.
Ex. Brand collection.

20% off

$295

Product Status: 
Sold
Negrito Mask
SKU: MXM-123

Michoacan, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint.
6 1/2” w. x 8 1/4" h. x 4 1/4” d.

$295

Product Status: 
Sold
"Aventurero" Negrito Mask
SKU: MXM-120

Silacayopan, Oaxaca, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint, added materials.
6" w. x 6 3/4” h. x 3 1/4” d.
Ex. Brand collection.

 

$275

Product Status: 
Sold
"Silaca Perro Cupido" Negrito Mask
SKU: MXM-121

Silacayopan, Oaxaca, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint, added materials.
6 1/4" w. x 7” h. x 2 3/4” d.
Ex. Brand collection.

$275

Product Status: 
Sold
One-eyed Man - Mexican Moor Mask
SKU: MXM-124

Veracruz(?), Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint.
6” w. x 6 1/2" h. x 5” d.
Ex. Brand collection.

$275

Product Status: 
Sold
"Maringuilla" Carnival Mask from Veracruz
SKU: MXM-116

Viejito dance, Carnival, Veracruz, Mexico,
mid-20th cent.  Originally part of pair with mask #MXM-117.
Wood painted with oil paints,w/ metal earrings
(7 3/4” w x 7 1/4” h x 4 1/4” d.)

$250

Product Status: 
Sold
Carnival Mask of Man from Veracruz
SKU: MXM-117

Viejito dance, Carnival, Veracruz, Mexico,
mid-20th cent.  Originally part of pair with mask #MXM-116.
Wood painted with oil paints.
(6 1/4” w x 7” h x 4” d.)
Ex. Brand collection.

20% off

$250

Product Status: 
Sold
Tocotin Mask from Veracruz
SKU: MXM-138

Tocotin mask - Danza de Tocotines, Moors and Christians, Totonac people, Papantla region, Veracruz, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil-based paints.
8 1/2” h. x 7” w. x 5” d.

20% off

$250

Product Status: 
Sold
Dog Mask, Bali
SKU: INDOM008

Ida Anom Suryawan - Bali, Indonesia, c.2010
Wood, leather, animal and artificial hair, inner-tube rubber, oil-based paints.
(6" w. x 5" d. x 7 1/2" h., not counting all that hair)

$245

Product Status: 
Sold
Yaqui "Pascola" Mask from Sonora
SKU: MXM-133

Pascola dance - Yaqui people, Sonora, Mexico,
c. 1980's
wood,  oil paint, horse hair.
(5.75" w. x 4" d. x 7" h., not including horse hair).
Ex. Brand collection.

$245

Product Status: 
Sold
Yaqui or Mayo "Pascola" Bat Mask from Sonora
SKU: MXM-144

Pascola dance - Yaqui or Mayo people, Sonora, Mexico,
c. 1990's
wood,  oil paint, horse hair.
(9 1/2” h. 8” w. x 5” d., not including horse hair).

$240

Product Status: 
Sold
Yaqui or Mayo Rooster  "Pascola" Mask from Sonora
SKU: MXM-147

Pascola dance - Yaqui or Mayo people, Sonora, Mexico,
c. 1990's
wood,  oil paint, horse hair.
(9 1/2" h. x 5 1/4” w. x 4” d., not including horse hair).

$240

Product Status: 
Sold
Yam Mask, Abelam people
SKU: yam07

Abelam people, Abelam area, Papua New Guinea, late 20th cent.
Woven fiber, organic pigments
(19 1/2" h. x 10 3/4" w. x 6" d.)

$225

Product Status: 
Sold
Carnival Mask
SKU: hmsk-39

Ronson Benoit (Jacmel, Haiti)
Papier Maché
(18 1/4" h. x 18 3/4" w. x 6 1/2" d.)
2010

Exhibited at Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville, New Jersey (July to December, 2016) for exhibit:  Shades of Past, Colors of Present:  Preserving Caribbean Cultural Heritage in New Jersey.

$ 225

Product Status: 
Sold
Devil (Djab) Mask
SKU: hmsk-40

Jean-Pierre Jules Andre (Jacmel, Haiti)
Papier Maché
(141/4" h. x 16 1/2" w. x 5" d.) 2010

Exhibited at Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville, New Jersey (July to December, 2016) for exhibit:  Shades of Past, Colors of Present:  Preserving Caribbean Cultural Heritage in New Jersey.

$ 195

Product Status: 
Sold
SKU: hmsk-18

Didier Civile (Jacmel, Haiti)
Papier Maché
(16 1/2" h. x 17" w. x 7 1/2" d.)
c.2007

Exhibited at Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville, New Jersey (July to Decenber, 2016) for exhibit:  Shades of Past, Colors of Present:  Preserving Caribbean Cultural Heritage in New Jersey.

20% off

$ 175

Product Status: 
Sold
Skull Mask
SKU: MXM-139

Skull mask - Unknown dance, unknown region, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ wax, mineral pigments.
7" h. x 5 1/2” w. x 4” d.

20% off

$175

Product Status: 
Sold
Legong Mask - the Heavenly Dance
SKU: INDOM023

Ida Anom Suryawan - Bali, Indonesia, 2015
Wood, inner-tube rubber, oil-based paints.
(5 1/2" w. x 3 1/2" d. x 7 3/4" h.)
 

$165

Product Status: 
Sold
Recycled Steel Cape Buffalo Mask
SKU: ZMSK-04

Recycled steel from automobiles.  (16.5" x 10" x 3.5").
Exact colors will vary depending on the original car!

$95

Product Status: 
Sold
Diable Carnival Mask
SKU: hmsk-25

Unsigned mask (Jacmel, Haiti)
Papier Maché
(13 1/2" h. x 11 3/4" w. x 6 3/4" d.) c.2009

Exhibited at Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville, New Jersey (July to December, 2016) for exhibit:  Shades of Past, Colors of Present:  Preserving Caribbean Cultural Heritage in New Jersey.

$ 95

Product Status: 
Sold
Jacmel Carnival Mask
SKU: hmsk-41

Rony M. (Jacmel, Haiti)
Papier Maché
(10 1/2" h. x 10 1/2" w. x 4 1/2" d.)
2011

$ 85

Product Status: 
Sold
Balinese Mask
SKU: INDOM-025

Unknown artist - Bali, Indonesia, c.2000
Painted wood, leather with animal hair, inner-tube rubber.
(5 1/4" w. x 3” d. x 6 3/4” h.)

$60

Product Status: 
Sold
Godogan (Frog prince) Mask
SKU: INDOM-024

Unknown artist - Bali, Indonesia, c.2000
Wood, rubber, oil-based paints
(7 1/4" w. x 4 1/2" d. x 7 1/4" h.)

$60

Product Status: 
Sold
Papier Maché Mask
SKU: IMSK-9

Nageshwar Dhanalkota & Family, Cheriyal, India, c. 2007
Papier maché with mineral paints, shellac
(6" h. x 5 1/2" w. x 3" d.)

$42

Product Status: 
Sold
SKU: hmsk-43

Onel Bazelais (Jacmel, Haiti)
Papier Maché (20" h. x 19 1/4" w. x 8 3/4" d.) 2010

This carnival mask, its face crushed under a block of concrete, commemorates 'goudou-goudou", the devastating earthquake of January 12th, 2010.

SOLD

Product Status: 
Sold