AFRICAN TRIBAL MASKS




© Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
ABOUT AFRICAN TRIBAL MASKS




Masks are one of the most recognizable pieces of antiquity
from Sub-Saharan Africa. They vary stylistically according to
different tribes and culture. The subject matter associated with
most African masks is spiritual and ritualistic in nature.
However, before delving into their subject matter, one must
first appreciate the aesthetic qualities that these masks
possess, the aesthetics that unquestionably influenced many
20th Century European artistic movements such as Cubism,
Expressionism and Fauvism.




   © Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
ABOUT AFRICAN TRIBAL MASKS


Materials used in the creation of African masks vary:

•Wood (common)
•Bronze
•Steatite
•Leather

Styles of African masks:
•Abstracted and sometimes grotesque form of the human face.
•Some tribes incorporate animal features into their mask
design ( i.e. the Senufo tribe). A mask may depict
characteristic features from multiple animals.
(ex: crocodile teeth, zebra stripes and bird features)


   © Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
ABOUT AFRICAN TRIBAL MASKS

Purposes of Masks:

•Spiritual and Religious Elements
-Worn on special occasions (weddings, initiation rites, and funeral).

-The wearer of African mask is said to serve as a medium of communication between the
people and their ancestors.

-Some masks are also designed to give the wearer the persona of a god in order to help
cleanse their community of evil spirits.

-Used in ecstatic dances (interpreted as their god and ancestor coming to life inside of them.)

-Incorporating animal forms with the mask design is an attempt to communicate with the spirits
of nature and the animals. Some animal masks also represent specific virtues (i.e. Buffalo =
strength, Ruminant mammals (such as Deer) = bountiful harvest)

•Entertainment Purposes
Similar to European contemporary theater productions (Avant-Garde).

      © Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
ABOUT AFRICAN TRIBAL MASKS


Mask design is the hallmark of African art and an essential
feature of African culture.




Sadigh Gallery has an excellent collection of African masks from
over 20 different tribes.
Click on the next slide to view some examples of our collections!




   © Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
© Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
© Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
© Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
© Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
© Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
© Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
© Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
© Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
© Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
© Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
© Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
© Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
© Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
© Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
© Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
© Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
© Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com
Thank you very much for your attention.
For more information on our collection, please visit our
  website: http://www.sadighgallery.com/african.html




Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc. is a licensed ancient art dealer in New York City. Our show room has
                             been opened to the public for over 30 years.




  © Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc.   303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016   Tel (212) 725-7537   http://www.sadighgallery.com

African Mask Collection at Sadigh Gallery

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    AFRICAN TRIBAL MASKS ©Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
  • 2.
    ABOUT AFRICAN TRIBALMASKS Masks are one of the most recognizable pieces of antiquity from Sub-Saharan Africa. They vary stylistically according to different tribes and culture. The subject matter associated with most African masks is spiritual and ritualistic in nature. However, before delving into their subject matter, one must first appreciate the aesthetic qualities that these masks possess, the aesthetics that unquestionably influenced many 20th Century European artistic movements such as Cubism, Expressionism and Fauvism. © Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
  • 3.
    ABOUT AFRICAN TRIBALMASKS Materials used in the creation of African masks vary: •Wood (common) •Bronze •Steatite •Leather Styles of African masks: •Abstracted and sometimes grotesque form of the human face. •Some tribes incorporate animal features into their mask design ( i.e. the Senufo tribe). A mask may depict characteristic features from multiple animals. (ex: crocodile teeth, zebra stripes and bird features) © Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
  • 4.
    ABOUT AFRICAN TRIBALMASKS Purposes of Masks: •Spiritual and Religious Elements -Worn on special occasions (weddings, initiation rites, and funeral). -The wearer of African mask is said to serve as a medium of communication between the people and their ancestors. -Some masks are also designed to give the wearer the persona of a god in order to help cleanse their community of evil spirits. -Used in ecstatic dances (interpreted as their god and ancestor coming to life inside of them.) -Incorporating animal forms with the mask design is an attempt to communicate with the spirits of nature and the animals. Some animal masks also represent specific virtues (i.e. Buffalo = strength, Ruminant mammals (such as Deer) = bountiful harvest) •Entertainment Purposes Similar to European contemporary theater productions (Avant-Garde). © Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
  • 5.
    ABOUT AFRICAN TRIBALMASKS Mask design is the hallmark of African art and an essential feature of African culture. Sadigh Gallery has an excellent collection of African masks from over 20 different tribes. Click on the next slide to view some examples of our collections! © Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
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    © Sadigh GalleryAncient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
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    © Sadigh GalleryAncient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
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    © Sadigh GalleryAncient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
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    © Sadigh GalleryAncient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
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    © Sadigh GalleryAncient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
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    © Sadigh GalleryAncient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
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    © Sadigh GalleryAncient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
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    © Sadigh GalleryAncient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
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    © Sadigh GalleryAncient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
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    © Sadigh GalleryAncient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
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    © Sadigh GalleryAncient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
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    © Sadigh GalleryAncient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
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    © Sadigh GalleryAncient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
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    © Sadigh GalleryAncient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
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    © Sadigh GalleryAncient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
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    © Sadigh GalleryAncient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
  • 22.
    © Sadigh GalleryAncient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com
  • 23.
    Thank you verymuch for your attention. For more information on our collection, please visit our website: http://www.sadighgallery.com/african.html Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc. is a licensed ancient art dealer in New York City. Our show room has been opened to the public for over 30 years. © Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art, Inc. 303 Fifth Avenue Suite 1603 New York, NY 10016 Tel (212) 725-7537 http://www.sadighgallery.com