Black, white and red mask larger at the top than the bottom. Grass and hair around the mask and facial hair area. Bulbous eyes and elongated nose. Two masks one of a child and one for adults
I don’t know who made them I inherited them thirty years ago from my grandmothers second husband. He brought them back from Africa at the end of the 50s or the beginning of the 60s. They are getting old and have traveled a lot they show their age. Made of solid wood and carved out seemingly for a celebration of some type.
Large one 15x12 small one 12x8
Inherited
Yes
Hello, these items are a pair of African tribal masks, hand-carved from solid wood, featuring natural grass or raffia elements and painted in black, white, and red pigments. The facial structure is highly stylized with prominent, bulging eyes and elongated noses, characteristic of ceremonial masks from Central African traditions, possibly linked to the Punu, Dan, or Bwa peoples. The presence of both an adult-sized (15 x 12 inches) and child-sized (12 x 8 inches) version may indicate use in initiation rituals or generational ceremonies. The added hair and beard-like features suggest a symbolic representation of wisdom, ancestry, or masculinity.
Given the stated provenance—acquired in the 1950s or early 1960s in Africa and showing signs of wear consistent with age and travel—these are likely mid-20th-century ethnographic pieces rather than recent tourist reproductions. While not museum-grade tribal artifacts, their authenticity and good condition make them attractive to collectors of African art. As a set, they would be valued at $300 to $600 USD, with the adult mask alone ranging from $200 to $400, depending on the region of sale and confirmation of tribal attribution.
