was purchased by myself about 35 years ago from a vicarage house clearance, and was kept and cherished till now, but need to sell as a new project needs some funds.

it is a heavy piece, a hard exotic wood, and has been carved and then highly polished and is like glass. there is a finish to it all over like a tiny adze had chopped it into shape leaving the marks behind, a bit like a plenished copper bowl from the 1900's.

unusual to get these polished, they are usually dull and painted etc.

I have researched it to find it is a West African mask. and from the Gabon region and is Fang/ Ngil , in the Congo near the West coast.

Modigliani, the artist of the early to mid 20th century used these masks an inspiration for most of his portraiture pieces.

not a frightening mask, it is quite lifelike and large, would not have been worn, I think would have been used as part of a place of ruling or worship.

most masks like this on offer are quite modern, this is from around the 1900-1920's, and shows it's age with the dirt on the top where it has gathered for years, I see this on antique furniture.

some slight marks , nothing bad as been hung, away from harm.

one small chip to the wood, mostly confined to the back, see last two pix, and not noticeable when hung. 

reluctant sale, hard to find old African tribal art.

quite dark, first pix best approx, had to lighten the others so you could see it better.

weighs 3.5 k unpacked

measures

height 66.5 cm

width widest 34 cm