African Vintage Hand Carved Tribal Teke Mask, Rare Fine Art

Teke moon shaped masks are worn by members of the Kiduma – a secret society that takes charge of social celebrations and rituals. Teke masks are mainly used in traditional dancing ceremonies such as wedding, funeral and initiation ceremonies of young men entering adult hood. The mask is also used as a social and political identifier of social structure within a tribe or family. The Teke people are well known for their Teke masks, which are round flat disk-like wooden masks that have abstract patterns and geometric motifs with horizontal lines that are painted in earthly colors, mainly dark blue, blacks, browns,red, orange and grey. The traditional Teke masks all have triangle shaped noses. The masks have narrow eye slits to enable the masker to see without being seen. They have holes pierced along the edge for the attachment of a woven raffia dress with feathers and fibers. The mask is held in place with a bite bar at the back that the wearer holds in his teeth. The dress would add to the mask’s costume and conceal the wearer. The mask is held in place with a bite bar at the back which the wearer holds in his teeth.

Crafted with precision and care, this mask is a representation of the African heritage. The mask’s unique design and the use of high-quality materials make it a valuable addition to any collection. This piece is perfect for those who want to add a touch of African culture to their home or office or an addiction to any mask collectors.

Measurements are 9 inches diameter