A few examples of appraisal values for
BAWO

• Bwami Mask Lega People Congo Carved
  Bwami Mask Lega People Congo Carved square shaped wood mask with concave heart-shaped face with protruding slit eyes and small open mouth overall tan cool with face rubbed with white clay and having long fibrous beard. The Lega people (or Warega) are an ethnic group of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The masks are used during initiation rites. The Bwami works of art are often associated with proverbs and these proverbs in conjunction with dance poetry and song give wisdom to members of the society.
• Bwami Mask Lega People Congo Carved
  Bwami Mask Lega People Congo Carved round wood mask with a concave heart-shaped face. The forehead protrudes slightly the nose is narrow eyes and mouth are slits and slightly open. With fibrous beard and remnants of white clay. Every time a mask is used it is rubbed with white clay so over time they acquire a white patina. Bwami masks and figures are symbols of the owner's rank within the Bwami society. In the forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo art is created primarily for semisecret associations of men and women such as the Bwami society of the Lega peoples. The teachings of Bwami permeate all aspects of life guiding the moral development of the individual and governing relations with others. Bwami doctrine is represented by wood and ivory masks heads and small figures all of which play a vital role during initiation into the society's highest grades. Although simple in form these carved objects embody complex and multiple meanings elaborated through proverbs skits and dances.
• Bwami Mask Lega People Congo Carved
  Bwami Mask Lega People Congo Carved oval wood mask with a concave heart-shaped face. The forehead protrudes with a mottled patina pointed nose eyes and mouth are slits and slightly open. With fibrous beard and remnants of white clay and dark stain. The Bwami society regulates social and political life of the village. Bwami masks are symbols of the owner's rank within the society. In 1933 the Belgian authorities who started to occupy the area in 1890 banned Bwami society and implimented their own structure of government. The Bwami continued underground and was officially recognized again in 1958 but by then much of the tradition of art production had been lost.
• LEGA PEOPLE HAT FOR THE BWAMI
  LEGA PEOPLE HAT FOR THE BWAMI SOCIETYLega People, Dem. Rep. of Congo- Hat for the Bwami Society- fibers, buttons, cowries, pangolin scales, antelope or boar tusk. The Bwami Society is ranked by grades, with each having distinctive regalia and symbols. Conical shaped hats with pangolin scales are the prerogative of members of the Ngandu and Yananio levels. 9'' to top of tusk
• A Small Hand Held Bwami Mask Lega
  A Small Hand Held Bwami Mask Lega People Congo Oval shaped carved wood with applied white clay to heart shaped carved face the surrounding area having dark stain and hammered texture. With attached fibrous beard.
• Bobo Bwa Bird Mask, Burkina Faso,
  Bobo Bwa Bird Mask, Burkina Faso, West Africa, late 20th century carved wood with natural pigments height 22 in — 55.9 cm
• AFRICAN BAMANA/BOZO FEMALE
  AFRICAN BAMANA/BOZO FEMALE PUPPETAfrican Bamama/Bozo Female Puppet. Carved and green-paint decorated head and bust, on long handle. Size: 31'' x 6.25'' x 8'' (79 x 16 x 20 cm). Please Note: There Are No Hidden or Confidential Reserves in this Auction; All Acceptable Bidding Commences at the Online Start Price.
• AFRICAN TRIBAL HELMET MASK (BWOOM),
  AFRICAN TRIBAL HELMET MASK (BWOOM), KUBA PEOPLES,AFRICAN TRIBAL HELMET MASK (BWOOM), Kuba peoples, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sankuru River region; wood, beads, cloth, leather, copper and cowrie shells; 11.75"H.
• Bobo Bwa Antelope Mask, Burkina
  Bobo Bwa Antelope Mask, Burkina Faso, West Africa, 20th century carved wood with natural pigments height 23 in — 58.4 cm
• Bobo Bwa Mask, Burkina Faso, West
  Bobo Bwa Mask, Burkina Faso, West Africa, late 20th century carved wood with natural pigments height 19 in — 48.3 cm
• LEGA PEOPLES, BWAMI IDUMU MASK DR
  LEGA PEOPLES, BWAMI IDUMU MASK DR Congo, carved wood retaining much of the white kaolin surface, holes around edge for raffia weaving, 10"h x 7"w
• BWA OR GURUNSI PEOPLES,
  BWA OR GURUNSI PEOPLES, ZOOMORPHIC MASK, EX-MUSEUM 20th c., Burkina Faso, polychrome painted carved wood, in the form of a long-eared animal with round eyes and elongated mouth, mounted to custom plastic shadowbox, 11"h x 6"w (mask), 14.5"h x 11"l x 7"w (box)
• BAULE CARVED WOODEN BO NUN AMUIN
  BAULE CARVED WOODEN BO NUN AMUIN MASK African, Baule / Baoule people of the Ivory Coast and Ghana, polychrome painted carved hardwood mask depicting bo nun amuin / gods of the bush; the anthropomorphic creature with two horns and a large, boxy snout with teeth on three sides. 22" H x 13" W x 10" D.
• AFRICAN BAMANA/BOZO MOTHER &
  AFRICAN BAMANA/BOZO MOTHER & CHILD PUPPET, HT. 57"African Bamana/Bozo Mother & Child Articulated Puppet, Mali. Carved wood, iron and rope. Provenance:ex-Museum of African Tribal Art, Portland, ME. Size: 57'' x 17.5'' x 16.5'' (145 x 44 x 42 cm). Please Note: There Are No Hidden or Confidential Reserves in this Auction; All Acceptable Bidding Commences at the Online Start Price.
• BWA PEOPLE CARVED PLANK MASKA Bwa
  BWA PEOPLE CARVED PLANK MASKA Bwa People, Burkina Faso, plank mask (Nwantantay), bold geometric shaped, painted surfaces, abstract form, these masks embody nature or ancestor spirits that interact with human beings and influence their lives. Height, 72".
• African Kuba ceremonial helmet
  African Kuba ceremonial helmet mask, Bwoom Style, from Democratic Republic of Congo, traditional royal mask of the Kuba people, hand-carved from wood and decorated with thin sheets of copper, black and white trade beads & hand-woven bark fiber, cowry shell beard, 20" h, tear in beard
• JEAN LUVWEZA ABSTRACT MUSICIAN
  JEAN LUVWEZA ABSTRACT MUSICIAN PAINTING Congo,b.1938Depicts a long limbed musician playing a drum while another feminine figure dances along. Luvweza was a widely self taught artist recieving a chance to exhibit his works through Jean Vanden Bosche, the director of the Musee de la Vie Indigene. Since then, Luvweza's art has been exhibited at the Brooklyn Art Gallery, Ligoa Duncan Galleries in New York, and participated in shows throughout New York, Washington, and Princeton.
• Bobo Bwa Antelope Mask, Burkina
  Bobo Bwa Antelope Mask, Burkina Faso, West Africa, 20th century carved wood height 24.5 in — 62.2 cm
• BAULE TRIBE BLOLO BIAN SPIRIT
  BAULE TRIBE BLOLO BIAN SPIRIT SPOUSE SCULPTURE AfricaEarly 20th CenturyCarved wood male figure dyed black with finely carved hair, scarification to face, neck, and back, and beads around his face. The Baule believe that every married man and woman have a partner in the afterlife, these figures are used to communicate with their spiritual partners to ask for advice or discuss problems.
• BAMBARA TYIWARA ANTELOPE FIGURE
  BAMBARA TYIWARA ANTELOPE FIGURE 20th century, with basketwork hat.
• Bobo Bwa Mask, Burkina Faso, West
  Bobo Bwa Mask, Burkina Faso, West Africa, late 20th century carved and painted wood height 24.5 in — 62.2 cm
• VILI PEOPLE, BUMBA FETISH POWER
  VILI PEOPLE, BUMBA FETISH POWER OBJECT 20th c., Democratic Republic of Congo, of spherical form, the woven rattan bundle containing a monkey skull retained within fiber, mirror encased on top, 7"h x 6"w x 5"d
• LEGA PEOPLE, BWAMI LUKUNGU MASK
  LEGA PEOPLE, BWAMI LUKUNGU MASK 19th/20th c., Democratic Republic of the Congo, carved bone, the teardrop-form maskette with delicate carved feathers, 6.5"h x 4"w
• KABUGO LALOMA (20TH C. KAMPALA,
  KABUGO LALOMA (20TH C. KAMPALA, UGANDA) Milking an Ankole long horn cow, while her offspring feeds, batik on cotton, signed lower right, in cast African pattern panel frame with black liner, OS: 39" x 25", SS: 31 1/2" x 17".
• BWA DUHO HAWK PLANK WOOD
  BWA DUHO HAWK PLANK WOOD SCULPTURE MASKHawk plank mask (bougou dinde). The southern Bwa adopted the use of wooden masks from their Gurunsi neighbors. The Bwa masks represent nature spirits or animals that family elders encountered in the wilderness and which watch over their families. Both the scars on people’s faces and the patterns on the masks represent the moral code or religious laws that the followers of these spirits must obey if they are to receive the blessings of the spirit. The mask is worn in front of the face. The dancer looks through the open hole of the mouth. The geometric designs convey coded information to the initiates, and meanings vary by clan and level of initiation. shipping info This item will need to be shipped by a packing company of your choice. We maintain a list of reliable shippers, or you may choose your own.
• BAMANA, SOGO BO MEREKUN MARIONETTE,
  BAMANA, SOGO BO MEREKUN MARIONETTE, EX-MUSEUM 20th c., Mali, carved wood, incised sheet metal, red fiber, cowrie shells, depicting female figure with headdress, 16.5"h x 4"w
• THREE PIECES OF AFRICAN ART
  THREE PIECES OF AFRICAN ART Comprising a Bambara tyiwara figure, heavily weathered; a Bambara or Mossi tyiwara; and a Senufo helmet mask, heavily weathered
• AFRICAN SCULPTURE Chi-wara figure
  AFRICAN SCULPTURE Chi-wara figure of an Antelope with a Woman inside, in carved wood with metal and cloth appliques, Bambara, Mali, 33" tall.
• BAULE GHANA CARVING OF A MAN
  BAULE GHANA CARVING OF A MAN Baule belong to the Akan peoples who inhabit Ghana and Cote D'Ivoire having a stylized hairdo with raffia braids and skirt - h:31.50 w:7 d:7 in. Provenance: From a diplomatic family
• BAULE CARVED WOODEN BO NUN AMUIN
  BAULE CARVED WOODEN BO NUN AMUIN MASK African, Baule / Baoule people of the Ivory Coast and Ghana, carved hardwood mask depicting bo nun amuin / gods of the bush; the anthropomorphic creature with two horns and a large, boxy snout with teeth on either side and a central opening, polychrome painted decoration. 23" H x 11" W x 11" D.
• AFRICAN "OWL" MASK, BWA PEOPLES,
  AFRICAN "OWL" MASK, BWA PEOPLES, BURKINA FASO African "owl" mask by the Bwa peoples of Burkina Faso, circular, and depicting the face of an owl surrounded by stylized geometric feathers. 35" diameter.
• AFRICAN BWA POLYCHROME WOOD
  AFRICAN BWA POLYCHROME WOOD KOBIAY SPIRIT MASK**Originally Listed At $800** West Africa, Burkina Faso, Bwa people, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A fantastical plank Kobiay mask which is a representation of a nature spirit with highly stylized features that probably combines different features of bush or domesticated animals. A square protruding mouth and a hooked nose set between protruding eyes, vertical ears or horns and a massive crest plank that symbolizes a rooster or wild bird comb. This mask was associated with the Cult of Do, an animistic religion that centers around a supernatural figure called Do (Dwo), who acted as a mediator between humans and his father, the creator deity. The Bwa will dance in masks such as this example to represent different bush spirits and animals. Chickens were often used in sacrificial rituals to the deities, bush cows were symbolic of strength and power- while other animals such as hornbills and chameleons had special attributes in Bwa society. Size: 8" L x 13" W x 27.5" H (20.3 cm x 33 cm x 69.8 cm); 37.5" H (95.2 cm) on included custom stand. According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, "In Bwa society, the identity and continued well-being of a family are often tied to a nature spirit. The origin of this association may be a dream or even an encounter with a spirit who materializes in animal form. Upon consulting a priest, a family may commission a sculpture to embody that nature spirit. The masks appear at important funerals to honor the dead and escort their soul to the world beyond. They also dance at agricultural festivities to ensure the proper progression of the seasons, and at initiation rituals to help introduce young men and women to the secrets and responsibilities of adulthood. The masks are the object of family pride and are also an unofficial means of representing its prosperity and influence. Rival families will compete to assemble the most innovative and spectacular performances. Consequently, families will commission the carving of a multitude of masks—as many as nine different masks may represent an individual extended family. The elaborate decorations, the impressive size and design of the mask, as well as dynamic choreography all add to the grandeur and prestige of the event." Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-New York, USA collection All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #177274 Condition: Repaired, half of crest is reattached with break line vertically across plank. Stable pressure fissures throughout. Chips and surface abrasions. Cracking to pigment and surface layers, but overall great good condition.
• AFRICAN KUBA BWOOM MASK ON
  AFRICAN KUBA BWOOM MASK ON STANDAFRICAN KUBA BWOOM MASK ON STAND, late 19th/early 20th century, a helmet design of wood, copper alloy, skin, plant fiber, textile, cowrie shell, and beads, 14"H.
• THREE DECORATIVE AFRICAN WOOD
  THREE DECORATIVE AFRICAN WOOD CARVINGS Comprising a Bangwa Standing Female Figure; a Luba style headrest, heavily weathered; and a Sherbro style diminutive body mask.
• BOBO BWA MASK, BURKINA FASOBOBO BWA
  BOBO BWA MASK, BURKINA FASOBOBO BWA MASK, BURKINA FASO, on stand - h:20.50w:11.50in.
• AFRICAN MARIONETTE FIGURE. Bozo
  AFRICAN MARIONETTE FIGURE. Bozo People Mali Height: 70'' Condition: No Specific Condition Recorded - Sold As Is