{"product_id":"african-carved-ebonized-wood-mask-herringbone-leaf-crest-west-africa-mid-20th-century-18-cm-2c93","title":"African Carved Ebonized Wood Mask, Herringbone Leaf Crest, West Africa, Mid-20th Century — 18 cm — 2C93","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe most elaborately decorated of its type — a finely carved miniature African face mask in ebonized hardwood, produced in West Africa (most likely Côte d’Ivoire or Ghana) during the mid-twentieth century, distinguished by an exceptional \u003cstrong\u003ebroad leaf-form crest whose entire surface is covered in a dense herringbone incision pattern\u003c\/strong\u003e: alternating diagonal lines crossing at regular intervals, crisp and even from base to apex, catching the light with extraordinary visual complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis level of surface decoration — patient, repetitive, technically demanding — speaks to a carver of considerable skill. At the very apex of the crest, a small \u003cstrong\u003ezoomorphic finial\u003c\/strong\u003e — possibly a bird or abstract animal figure — appears to emerge from the wood, potentially placing this piece within the West African tradition of zoomorphic crest masks in which an animal spirit guardian surmounts the human face below.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe junction between crest and face is marked by a deeply carved \u003cstrong\u003ecrosshatch scarification band\u003c\/strong\u003e in high relief — a strong visual threshold between the richly textured crest above and the serene, smooth face below. The face itself is classically composed: closed almond eyes, a long straight nose, closed lips with a slight downward curve — quiet authority, turned inward.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe wood reveals a warm dark brown undertone beneath the ebonizing, giving the surface a depth and warmth that pure black ebonizing does not achieve.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition note:\u003c\/strong\u003e Front face carving and polish in good condition. Reverse shows extensive coating loss and two small holes — entirely invisible when displayed face-forward, reflected honestly in the price.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Decorative carved wood mask \/ African export art\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e West African — broad herringbone leaf crest; possible zoomorphic apex finial\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e West Africa (Côte d’Ivoire \/ Ghana, most likely)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAge:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mid-20th century — circa 1960s–1980s\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ebonized hardwood (warm brown undertone)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18 × 5 × 2 cm \/ 7.1 × 2.0 × 0.8 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDisplay:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wall hanging (holes on reverse)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good (front) \/ Fair (reverse) — front carving and polish intact; reverse coating loss (disclosed, not visible when displayed)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSKU:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2C94\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"One Royal Art","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54155720556890,"sku":"2C93","price":60.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0636\/9656\/8577\/files\/2C93_1.jpg?v=1778828646","url":"https:\/\/www.oneroyalart.com\/products\/african-carved-ebonized-wood-mask-herringbone-leaf-crest-west-africa-mid-20th-century-18-cm-2c93","provider":"One Royal Art","version":"1.0","type":"link"}