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Additional Information: There have been a number of metal mask-like sculptures from the Akan people of Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana. There is long tradition of figurative iron, bronze and brass casting in the Western Sudan reaching back to the period of the great Empire of Mali as early as the 12th century. The age of this interestingly cast iron mask is undetermined but it does reflect an earlier period of bronze or brass casting. The facial features on this mask are unusual and not founs on wood sculptures from the Akan people. Usuallt metal masks are forged by blacksmiths working them into shapes that could be worn, simply carried, or kept in a ritual location. Indeed, this mask does indicate the skill of the blacksmith in forging a mask out of brass or bronze, a medium much more difficult to work than wood and in an abstract form not usually seen on the art of these people. The mask has holes around the perimeter of the mask to indicate that it could have been worn as a face mask. The patina in the back with traces of wear suggestes the mask was worn. But its small size makes it hard to believe that the offered mask was worn on the face. It is possible that the holes around the perimeter of this small mask were used to attach the maskto the hilt of a chief’s sword that would prominently display the head of a captured warrior or enemy chief when carried during ceremonies and parades. Among the Akan swords of different shapes and complexity serve ceremonial, ritual and political purposes and are prominently displayed at royal courts as regalia of the king reflecting the power and authority of the king. Recommended Reading:
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Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on eBay since 1997 and has received more than 51,000 positive feedbacks. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with their multi-racial family. They have been honored with eBay's Hall of Fame award, and by eBay Giving Works, through which they have raised more than $125,000 in charity auctions. Customer Service: We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care! Handling Time: We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out the same day, and all go out within 48 hours. Returns: We want you to be happy with your purchase. You're welcome to return an item within 30 days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you're returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we'll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we'll refund the credit card. Combining Shipping: You are welcome to wait to pay, and to combine multiple items for shipping. We ask that you keep each order to 10 days or 10 items, whichever comes first--then start another order. When you're ready, just send us a list of item numbers or an invoice request and we'll send you an invoice. You can pay by Paypal or credit card. U.S. Shipping: We use a professional shipper who has worked with us for ten years. He and his staff take great care in packing our artwork, much of which is antique, irregularly-shaped, and fragile. The cost of his labor and the special packing materials he uses is reflected in our handling price. Our U.S. shipping charges also include insurance; we self-insure on smaller orders. For these reasons, our shipping and handling charges may be more than the price of postage. International Shipping: We ship dozens of international orders each week, to customers on every continent except Antarctica! The shipping charges included in our listings are for U.S. orders. Contact us for shipping charges to your country. We offer uninsured USPS First Class airmail, insured Priority airmail, and insured Express airmail to most parts of the world, depending on the weight, volume, and value of an item. We also ship via FedEx or DHL on request. Import duties, taxes, and charges are NOT INCLUDED in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding / buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up -- do not confuse them for additional shipping charges. And please do not ask us to mark merchandise values below the actual value or mark items as "gifts"--U.S. and International government regulations prohibit such behavior. Newsletter, previews and special offers: Sign up for our newsletter |