Bamileke Copper Sheet Mask, Cameroon

Description

Masks are a window into the soul of a culture, and provide us with great conversation pieces for the home. African masks are possibly the most admired and well known art form of Africa. They are both idea and form. The artistry of African masks is self evident but, for the people who create them, they have a much deeper meaning than surface beauty. African Masks are believed to embody the spirit and symbolize a message of wisdom, prosperity, security, and power. Stylish elements in a mask’s looks are codified by the tradition and may either identify a specific community or convey specific meanings. Putting on a mask is a transformative experience. It allows us to be someone we’re not for a moment, changing both how we see ourselves and how we behave outwardly. Many of us know this feeling from Halloween in America, but it’s a universal feeling shared across cultures throughout human history.

African art and masks of the Bamileke people from Cameroon. A Vintage mask beautifully handcrafted by Bamileke people using Coppe foil & wires. The two bird figures on the forehead indicates importance of nature & also to live in peace and with love. The Bamileke people, who live in the western grassland of the Cameroon, share the tradition of elephant masks with their neighbors. The mask at left is the typical Bamileke tribe mask associated with royal ceremonies. Most Bamileke statues represent the chief. its hand crafted using wood, brass, and copper.