{"product_id":"antique-african-marka-mask-mali-hand-carved-wood-brass-overlay-fiber-beard-19th-20th-c-authentic-tribal-art-bambara-influence","title":"Antique African Marka Mask Mali - Hand Carved Wood Brass Overlay Fiber Beard 19th\/20th C. - Authentic Tribal Art Bambara Influence","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a striking, authe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003entic \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMarka (Maraka) mask\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e from Mali, West Africa. Hand-carved from a single block of dense hardwood, the mask features a traditional elongated facial structure characteristic of the Sahel region. The surface is adorned with hand-hammered \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebrass or tin alloy sheeting\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, meticulously applied to the forehead, cheeks, and eyes with small hand-wrought metal pins.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe mask features a prominent, high-bridged nose, small pierced eyes, and an open mouth with two inset triangular \"teeth.\" A significant feature of this piece is the original \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eindigo-dyed fiber beard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and the attached \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehand-painted textile hood\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which display\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003es geometric mud-cloth (Boghlan) style patterns. The interior shows clear evidence of hand-tooling and an aged patina consistent with ritual use and significant age.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Mali, West Africa (Marka\/Bambara People)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAge:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Circa early to mid-20th Century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Hardwood, Brass\/Metal Sheeting, Cotton Fiber, Indigo Dye, Pigment\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approx. 10\" Height x 6\" Width\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1.25 lbs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition Report: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGood Vintage\/Antique Condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The wood shows an authentic aged patina with expected minor surface cracking and wear to the pigment. The metal overlay shows oxidation and a natural tarnish. The fiber beard and cloth hood are intact but show age-related fading and fraying, which adds to the piece’s character and provenance. Please see photos for a detailed view of the hand-carved interior and tool marks.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003eReference for Citation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReference:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Dance of Spirits: African Masks from the Barber-Mueller Museum\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Iris Hahner-Herzog, Maria Kecskési, and László Vajda\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePage Number:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Page 56 (Section: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMarka and Bambara Masks of Mali\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-2ebddf89-7fff-b094-5e73-6427010f7722\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003eNote: This text discusses the specific use of metal plating and fiber attachments in the Niger River region.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eItem dimensions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: 10\" tall × 6\" wide × 3.5\" deep  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight of item\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: 1 lb  4.4 oz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShipping calculated by eBay\/USPS\/UPS based on your ZIP code.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eItem Description and Condition Disclaimer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe take great care in researching, identifying, and describing each antique item to the best of our ability, drawing on available resources and hands-on examination. However, as dedicated enthusiasts rather than professional appraisers or certified experts, we cannot offer guarantees on authenticity, age, origin, or precise valuation. We strongly recommend that buyers perform their own due diligence, including consulting reference materials or experts, and thoroughly examine the accompanying photographs. These images are an essential component of our listing and depict the item's actual condition, including any visible flaws, wear, or imperfections consistent with its antique nature. It is the buyer’s responsibility to inspect each lot and form their own assessment on condition, description and authenticity before purchasing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCustomer Service Commitment\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-46b50eea-7fff-7ceb-13dc-22d8bbb7b609\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe truly value our customers and prioritize building lasting relationships through exceptional service. If you'd like additional photos or have questions about an item, we're more than happy to provide them promptly upon request. In the event of any concerns after purchase, please reach out to us as soon as possible—certainly before submitting feedback—so we can work together to resolve the matter swiftly and fairly. Our utmost focus is on customer satisfaction, and we'll do everything in our power to ensure every transaction is smooth, transparent, and positive for you.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Light and Legacy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43778084405291,"sku":"291","price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/5379\/5371\/files\/20251204_172810.jpg?v=1774367559","url":"https:\/\/thelightandlegacy.com\/products\/antique-african-marka-mask-mali-hand-carved-wood-brass-overlay-fiber-beard-19th-20th-c-authentic-tribal-art-bambara-influence","provider":"Light and Legacy","version":"1.0","type":"link"}