Wood mask. Bought from local mask collector 20 years ago.
13" tall, 7.5" wide, 5.5" deep
Hello, this item is a carved wooden African-style mask titled “Scary Face,” likely a late 20th-century decorative or collector-market object inspired by Central African mask forms, especially those with rounded heads, slit eyes, pronounced brow planes, and linear scarification. The dark brown patinated surface, incised forehead motif, metal side attachments, open mouth, and stylized teeth give the object a theatrical ritual character, but the simplified carving, display base, and lack of documented field provenance place it within the decorative ethnographic market rather than a securely attributed ceremonial category. At 13 inches tall, 7.5 inches wide, and 5.5 inches deep, it is a compact display mask made for private collecting, gallery resale, or interior decoration.
The condition shows surface wear, abrasions, dry areas, and minor pigment or finish losses, especially around the mouth, cheeks, base, and high points of the carving. These features add visual age and character, but they do not establish ceremonial use or significant tribal antiquity without supporting documentation. The market for similar late 20th-century African-style wooden masks remains modest, with value driven by decorative impact, patina, and display quality rather than rarity. Comparable examples commonly sell through estate auctions and online secondary markets within the lower collector range. Fair Market Value: $70 - $160 USD.