{"product_id":"african-carved-hardwood-mask-crown-crest-scarification-cote-d-ivoire-mid-20th-century-28-cm-2c96","title":"African Carved Hardwood Mask, Crown Crest \u0026 Scarification, Côte d’Ivoire, Mid-20th Century — 28 cm — 2C96","description":"\u003cp\u003eA sculptural and finely carved African face mask in natural hardwood — warm, honey-brown tropical wood of beautiful grain, hand-polished to a smooth, lustrous finish. At \u003cstrong\u003e28 × 9 × 5 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e, this is a fully three-dimensional sculptural object of genuine presence and authority, a significant step above the standard decorative mask form in scale, material quality, and carving accomplishment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe crest is the most architecturally complex of the series. Two tall, smooth horns rise from the crown — but before they ascend, they emerge from a \u003cstrong\u003ecorona of seven or eight sharp triangular points\u003c\/strong\u003e radiating outward in a sunburst form, each point blackened at its tip with dark pigment that creates a striking chromatic contrast against the warm honey-brown of the natural wood. Crown, twin horns, powerful face, richly carved neck and base — a silhouette that reads with immediate graphic impact from across a room.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe face is carved with a level of anatomical understanding that sets this piece apart entirely. The forehead is covered in a \u003cstrong\u003ediamond-grid crosshatch scarification band of extraordinary precision\u003c\/strong\u003e — perfectly regular, deeply cut, unbroken from hairline to brow. Below: heavy-lidded eyes with pronounced orbital ridges; a broad, powerful nose with clearly defined nostrils; full, sensuous lips slightly parted in composed authority. On each cheek, \u003cstrong\u003ethree parallel diagonal scarification marks\u003c\/strong\u003e are deeply incised — a lineage identification pattern found in several West African traditions. A horizontal scarification band marks the chin. Small, stylized ear forms are carved on both sides — a detail present only in higher-quality production pieces.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBelow the face, the neck and collar carry a continuous \u003cstrong\u003eherringbone\/chevron incision pattern\u003c\/strong\u003e running around the full circumference, transitioning to a geometric slash-mark base that anchors the entire composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe wood is natural, uncoated tropical hardwood — no applied ebonizing, only the natural color enhanced by polishing and the gentle patina of age. The back is fully shaped and three-dimensional, with a \u003cstrong\u003escrew-eye hanging loop\u003c\/strong\u003e — a detail that confirms the higher production quality of this piece. Carving crisp and intact throughout; wood sound with no cracks or splits.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Decorative carved wood mask \/ quality African export art\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e West African prestige decorative — Baoulé\/Guro or Akan-influenced; crown-base bifurcated crest\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-to-late 20th century — circa 1960s–1980s\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Natural tropical hardwood (iroko, sapele, or similar) — hand-polished, uncoated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 28 × 9 × 5 cm \/ 11.0 × 3.5 × 2.0 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDisplay:\u003c\/strong\u003e Screw-eye hanging loop — ready to hang\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDesign:\u003c\/strong\u003e Twin-horn crest from seven\/eight-point corona crown (blackened tips); diamond-grid crosshatch forehead; three diagonal cheek scarification marks each side; chin band; ear forms; herringbone neck collar; geometric slash-mark base\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good — carving crisp and intact; polish even; wood sound; no cracks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCollectibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e Significantly above tourist art category — quality prestige decorative production\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSKU:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2C96\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"One Royal Art","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54233136791898,"sku":"2C96","price":110.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0636\/9656\/8577\/files\/2C96_1.jpg?v=1780567607","url":"https:\/\/www.oneroyalart.com\/products\/african-carved-hardwood-mask-crown-crest-scarification-cote-d-ivoire-mid-20th-century-28-cm-2c96","provider":"One Royal Art","version":"1.0","type":"link"}