작품 상세

This is a beautifully framed Oba Mask of Benin, hand-carved from ebony wood in Nigeria, West Africa. The Oba (king) mask is one of the most iconic symbols of the ancient Benin Kingdom, representing royalty, leadership, and cultural heritage. This carved representation features the traditional high headdress, detailed facial features, and patterned collar associated with Benin court art. Benin is a West African nation known as the birthplace of Vodun (Voodoo), bordered by Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Niger, with its southern coast on the Gulf of Guinea. The piece is mounted in an elegant shadow box-style frame with rich wood tones, ornate carved edging, and layered matting that highlights the depth and craftsmanship of the mask. A metal plaque identifies the piece as: OBA MASK – BENIN EBONY NIGERIA, WEST AFRICA. This artwork makes an excellent display piece for collectors of African art, cultural décor, or anyone who appreciates traditional craftsmanship. Frame: 22H x 17W x 4D in. Mask: 9.5H x 4W in. This piece and the African collection in this auction originates from the former Atlanta Africa World Museum and Center, later known as the African Heritage Foundation, a privately held 503-C cultural institution established in Atlanta in 2009. The museum was founded following a 2008 initiative led by a highly respected African tribal chief in collaboration with officials from the City of Atlanta and leadership within the State of Georgia, through which grant funding and institutional support were secured to establish a major African cultural center in Midtown Atlanta. The institution opened with significant public recognition at 134 Peachtree Street Tower. Its inaugural events and early institutional support involved prominent civic, political, and international figures, including John Lewis, Andrew Young, then-Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, and international statesman Nelson Mandela. The opening marked a landmark cultural moment for both the City of Atlanta and the local African and African-diaspora communities. After approximately five years of operation, the museum ceased operations following the exhaustion of grant funding and internal financial mismanagement. As the institution was privately owned and not operated by the City of Atlanta, its collection was removed from public display and placed into secured warehouse storage. Over subsequent years, select objects were sold by the owner(s), while the remaining holdings remained in storage. In November 2023, due to unpaid storage fees, the balance of the collection—approximately 1,500 works of fine African art and cultural artifacts—was liquidated at auction. The present owner acquired the remaining collection in its entirety at that sale. All works offered in the upcoming auction derive directly from this acquisition and have remained in private ownership since their release from storage. The collection represents a rare opportunity to acquire museum-quality African art. Congratulations to the winning bidder!