The African totem mask is often carved from ebony or other hard woods, designed
with fine lines and showing a highly polished surface. Animal masks, their features
elongated and beautifully formalized, are common in western Africa. Dried grass,
woven palm fibers, coconuts, and shells, as well as wood are employed in the masks
of New Guinea, New Ireland, and New Caledonia. Represented are fanciful birds,
fishes, and animals with distorted or exaggerated features.
NL 13b NL 16a-b-c-d DS 418
1m 1m 1m
NL 17a-b NL 17c NL 17d
33cm 33cm 33cm
NL 17e NL 18a NL 18b DS 417
33cm 40cm 40cm 40cm
NL 18c NL 18d NL 18e
33cm 33cm 33cm
MG 01 ME 01 MW 12
Giraffe mask Elephant mask Zebra mask
30cm 50cm 40cm
LB 3271 LB 3272
50cm 40cm
NL 12b NL 12a NL 13a
33cm 30,50,75cm 25cm
NL 15a NL 12c NL 20d
50cm 50cm 30cm