Mounted Buffalo Mask

A West African artist carved this expressive buffalo mask over 60 years ago. Defining the buffalo's nose and brow is the subtly raised figure of a lizard. Throughout Africa the buffalo is used in art as a symbol of nature’s power, and is among the most feared of African mammals. Lizards are used as protective symbols in many West African cultures. Taken together, this mask calls on the fearsome buffalo to protect its wearer. The mask rests on a custom steel mount.