Bembe Helmet Mask

c. 1900
$8,680 USD
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Dimensions
W: 6.5" D: 9.5" H: 12.5"
Materials
Paint
Wood
Purchase Quantity
Collection #
CAA0963
Estimated Shipping
$75

This 20th-century Bembe helmet mask would have been worn by an adolescent boy as he completed a prolonged initiation process designed to foster strength and courage. Made of painted, hand-carved wood, this haunting example depicts an otherworldly face with an oversized mouth and eyes that recall the features of an owl. Symbolizing a boy’s death as a child and rebirth as a man, the mask was worn in a ceremony that celebrated the initate's return to village life and marked this important transition into adulthood.

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Andrea Goldman | Andrea Goldman Design

“Over the years, I’ve incorporated many pieces from PAGODA RED into my designs. Not only can they balance new furnishings (and often new construction) by feeling more established, but the pieces emanate a sense of rich history, often leaving you wondering where they were in a previous life. These beautiful pieces carefully hand-selected by the team at PAGODA RED, coupled with their unbelievable customer service, make them a must-have for any home.”

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