NOVICA Tropical People Decorative Objects and Figurines

Traditionally given to Ashanti women who hope to have children, this pair of fertility dolls is designed by Raphat Asigbey in Ghana. A male and a female figure are hand-carved from sese wood, given a painted finish in hues of blue, green, and black that accentuate their patterns.

A skeletal figure, she stands with her hands raised in the posture of women who die in childbirth. Artisans from the Angel Cern Artisan Association sculpts the image of Coatlicue, 'She of the serpent skirt.' The Mexica earth goddess and mother of the gods, her image bears the symbol 'Eight Malinalli, or 'grass.' Her son Huitzilopochtli, the sun god and god of war, defended her from the powers of the night.

The artisans bathe the image in earth to give it the effect of a recent archaeological discovery.

Product Features

• Signed by the artist
• 6.25" H x 3.5" W x 2.8" D
• Ceramic
• Grey

With a faraway gaze, a young woman dreams of her sweetheart. Wayan Kandiyasa works in sandstone to create the portrait of a person who is deeply in love.

Product Features

• Color and/or motif may vary slightly
• 7.75" H x 3.2" W x 3.2" D
• Sandstone
• Beige

A skeletal figure, she stands with her hands raised in the posture of women who die in childbirth. Artisans from the Angel Cern Artisan Association sculpt the image of Coatlicue, 'She of the serpent skirt.' The Mexica earth goddess and mother of the gods, her image bears the symbol 'Eight Malinalli, or 'grass.' Her son Huitzilopochtli, the sun god and god of war, defended her from the powers of the night.

Product Features

• Signed by the artist
• 8.5" H x 4.3" W x 3.9" D
• Stucco on ceramic
• Beige

Ai Aepec, the supreme god of the Moche people, sheds two solitary tears; his face is stern and fearsome. The gesture expresses Ai Aepec's divine sensibility. Ana Maria Enciso invokes the presence of the powerful deity as she creates this extraordinary mask. She crafts the mask of copper and bronze and treats the face to a galvanized bath to achieve the distinct green finish.

Product Features

• Wipe with a damp cloth
• 0.44000003
• 10.75" H x 8.75" W x 0.6" D
• Copper and bronze
• Multicolor

Hand-carved from sese wood, this sculpture depicts a prominent conical head and face of a man. Ghanaian designer Rita Addo Zakour names this sculpture Ntiase, an Akan word meaning "understanding". The face is ornamented with brass plating and bright recycled glass beads.

• Dimension - 16.5" H x 4.5" W x 2.4" D
• Weight - 1.5
• Color - Black
• Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
• West Africa

With eyes closed, a musician sways to the sound of his music. Daniel Nyadedzor depicts the village's chief trumpeter blowing a hot, sweet tune. He names the hand-carved mask Abenhyefo, meaning "Trumpeter" in the language of Ghana's Akan people.

• Dimension - 16" H x 3.3" W x 2.2" D
• Weight - 0.35
• Color - Brown
• West Africa

An intricate headdress crowns this regal countenance while embossed brass adorns the forehead and cheeks. Daniel Nyadedzor depicts an Odehyi, or royal personage from Ghana's Akan people. Subtle color enhances its bold beauty.

Product Features

• Color and/or motif may vary slightly
• 12.25" H x 6.25" W x 3.2" D
• Sese wood and brass
• Multicolor

Victoria Agyepomaa exalts the beautiful physiognomy of African people in this pair of statuettes. The woman and man are detailed with remarkable artistry, resulting in life-like busts enhanced by ebony's natural grain. Each sculpture is carved by hand in Ghana.

• Material - Ebony wood
• Color - Brown
• Dimension - 5.5" H x 2.4" W x 3.5" D
• Weight - 1.52 lbs
• Wood grain and color can vary slightly

Elegant and refined, this personage seems to sigh with contentment. Eric Danquah depicts an enamored young man in sese wood and embossed brass. Meticulously carved using only hand tools, the mask comes from Ghana's Akan people. Danquah names it Odo, or "Love."

• Material - Sese wood and brass
• Color - Beige
• Dimension - 17.75" H x 5.5" W x 2.6" D
• Weight - 1.23

A star person peers earthward from the sky, promising protection at night from the evil ones. Wilson Aboagye carves a beautiful Ghanaian mask, its dark, polished contours are embellished with brass repouss�. It depicts the star god revered by people in the area of Aburi in Eastern Ghana.

Product Features

• Color and/or motif may vary slightly
• 6.25" H x 10.75" W x 2.2" D
• Sese wood and brass
• Brown

Hibiscus wood reveals the smooth features of a lovely young woman. Caressed by forest leaves, the girl's sweetness and beauty are manifest. Bali's Eka presents the image carved from hibiscus wood. This wood varies widely in its tones and patterns, thus each mask is an absolutely unique work of art.

• Material - Hibiscus wood
• Color - Beige
• Dimension - 12.25" H x 5.25" W x 2.4" D
• Weight - 0.18 lbs
• Signed by the artist
• Hibiscus wood varies greatly in color and grain

Mosi people in Ghana love and revere Edjo, epitome of beauty and respect. Nii Okaija Annan honors this historical woman with a spectacular sese wood mask, traditionally worn for ceremonies. Ornate brass plates and brightly painted motifs adorn this attractive mask.

• Material - Sese wood and brass
• Color - Dark brown,yellow
• Dimension - 13.25" H x 6.75" W x 2.4" D
• Weight - 0.97

Named Animpa, or 'Charming Face' in the Akan language, this elegant mask honors feminine beauty. Daniel Nyadedzor embellishes the hand-carved design with intricate embossed brass plates and rich, subtle color. During festivals in which Akan women compete in beauty contests, masks like this one are awarded to the prettiest girl in the village.

Product Features

• Color and/or motif may vary slightly
• 13.5" H x 4.7" W x 2.6" D
• Sese wood and brass
• Black

For the Ashanti people of Ghana, actions do in fact speak louder than words. They suggest presenting this bright mask to the person one is interested in, as a first and loving gesture. The mask is known as Odobra, which means "loved one" or "come love." Robert Nortey carves the admirable mask by hand from sese wood and decorates it with embossed brass plates.

• Dimension - 18" H x 6.25" W x 2.6" D
• Weight - 1.76
• Color - Green
• West Africa

This hand-carved sese wood mask is adorned with the colorful solemnity of the Ga people from Ghana. They call this mask Djealor, meaning "wisdom is the key," and it is worn to consult the oracle for guidance. Robert Nortey replicates the mask with faithful attention to detail.

• Dimension - 17.75" H x 7.5" W x 4.7" D
• Weight - 0.66
• Color - White
• West Africa

Power resides in the eyes of this hand-carved sculpture shaped like the Anokye mask of the Akwapim people (Aburi). Meaning "look" or "see," the Anokye mask is believed to see into the spirit world. Walter Kuma carves an admirable sese wood sculpture featuring a bright headdress and brass inlay.

• Material - Sese wood and brass
• Color - Brown
• Dimension - 17.25" H x 5.5" W x 3.3" D
• Weight - 1.34

Fabulously detailed, this sculpture of a Maya man is an original creation by Angel Ceron. The Mexican artisan, expert in pre-Hispanic art and history, now ventures into the creation of original characters inspired by historical facts. This vivid ceramic sculpture portrays the man with an impressive headdress, attire and jewelry. Sitting cross-legged, he holds a chu - a vessel specifically used for alcoholic beverages.

• Dimension :-10.25" H x 6.25" W x 5.5" D
• Weight :-2.29 lbs
• Material :-Ceramic
• Color :-Brown
• Signed by the artist
• Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly

Youthful and beautiful, her stylized contours are hand-carved from African sese wood and she wears colorful seed bead jewelry. Emmanuel Opoku Asante crafts this fertility doll as a woman blessed with two toddlers and an infant. Believed to assist a woman who wants to conceive a baby, this doll is representative of Ghana's Ashanti people.

• Dimension - 27.5" H x 7.25" W x 4.3" D
• Weight - 2.6
• Color - Brown
• Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
• Features a rustic, rugged finish
• West Africa

With offering on their hands, a Yoruba man and a woman salute Shango, Lord of Thunder. According to Yoruba beliefs, Shango will send a bolt of lightning to strike a person if he or she was not truthful when settling an important matter. Salihu Ibrahim carves each sculpted staff from sese wood, adorning them with white and green glass beads at the base. The man wears an axe of justice for a headdress.

Product Features

• Color and/or motif may vary slightly
• 19.25" H x 3.2" W x 2.8" D
• Sese wood and glass beads
• Brown

Long and slender, this striking mask comes from Rita Addo Zakour. Its minimalist line perfectly complements the ornate textures of lavish aluminum repoussA. Zakour names the mask Nketiabah, a girl's name among the Fanti people of central Ghana.

• Dimension - 25" H x 4.7" W x 1.2" D
• Weight - 2.16
• Color - Red
• West Africa

Beautifully feminine, an akuaba fertility doll symbolizes the force of tradition. In Ghana, such figures are believed to assist a woman who wants to conceive a baby. Emmanuel Opoku Asante carves the lovely doll that also represents beauty and wisdom, dressing her in African beads

• Dimension - 20.25" H x 7.75" W x 2.4" D
• Weight - 1.54
• Color - Brown
• Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
• Features a rustic, rugged finish
• West Africa

A colorful diamond motif adorns her forehead and embossed aluminum appears on her skirt. By Rita Addo Zakour, this sculpture depicts an Ashanti fertility doll. In West African society women place great importance on childbearing, and a married woman without children is sometimes shunned. Parents give such a doll to the newly married daughter, as its presence in the house is believed to have special powers. When worn by young married girls in a carrying cloth on the back, these dolls are reputed to ensure they will have children. The artisan names this doll Dzigbordi, which means 'patience' in the Ewe language.

Product Features

• Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
• 17.25" H x 5.5" W x 3.9" D
• Sese wood and aluminum
• Brown

Named Walayo A a Ga word meaning "A woman who enjoys life," this elegant sculpture is the work of Anna Yawson. She works in African sese wood to carve the stylized portrait, and adds the rich textures of embossed aluminum. On the skirt, the gye nyam is an adinkra symbol meaning "Except God."

• Dimension - 30.5" H x 6" W x 3.5" D
• Weight - 2.79
• Color - Black
• Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
• West Africa

Hand-carved by Salihu Ibrahim, a bold personage represents a female spirit of war. Carved from sese wood, this rugged African mask comes from the Dan people who inhabit the mountainous regions of the Ivory Coast. It is thought to protect warriors in battle.

• Color - Brown
• Dimension - 10.25" H x 6.25" W x 4.7" D
• Material - Sese wood and jute
• Country Of Origin - Ghana
• Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
• Features a rustic, rugged finish

Salihu Ibrahim faithfully replicates the fertility mask of the Baule people of Cote d'Ivoire. He carves the sese wood mask by hand with male features including a beard and inverted triangles on the cheeks. The mask is worn during special festivities for a good harvest.

• Material - Sese wood
• Color - Brown
• Dimension - 16.25" H x 8.75" W x 3.9" D
• Weight - 5.02

He speaks with the voice of wisdom and learning and all who hear him heed his words. By Godfred France, this elegant mask is crafted by hand, combining African sese wood with brass and aluminum. He names his original design Dankurugu, a Hausa word meaning "Knowledge."

• Dimension - 17.25" H x 6.25" W x 2.4" D
• Weight - 0.88
• Color - Black
• West Africa

This wood sculpture from Ghanaian artisan Ali Ibrahim depicts a man from the Mamprusi ethnic group of northern Ghana and Togo. The artisan carves the sculpture by hand from sese wood, and accents the cheeks with brass ridges to represent the tribal scarification that is typical to the Mamprusi people. The sculpture is further adorned with embossed aluminum plates and colorful paints.

• Dimension - 18" H x 6" W x 3.3" D
• Weight - 2.09
• Color - Black
• Intended for display on a tabletop or other flat surface
• Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
• West Africa

Reaching out, two figures clasp one another' hands in a gesture of fraternity and peace. Daniel Nyadedzor carves a beautiful image from the Akan people of Ghana. Named Nkabom ("reconciliation" or "unity"), these figures are exchanged between parties who reconcile after a serious conflict.

• Dimension - 10.75" H x 3.5" W x 3.5" D
• Weight - 0.44
• Color - Brown
• West Africa

Bold color heightens the drama of this enigmatic mask with its crown of circular horns. Meticulously carved by Salihu Ibrahim, it represents the earth god, Tano, who is honored with an annual festival by the Kulango people of CAte d'Ivoire.

• Dimension - 17.5" H x 6" W x 2.4" D
• Weight - 0.75
• Color - Black
• West Africa

Ornate shapes are covered with handcrafted repousse in a mask of opulent beauty. By Godfred France, it combines African sese wood with brass and aluminum for an original design with Ghanaian influence. He names the mask Ankono, a Hausa word meaning "wealth."

• Dimension - 19.75" H x 7" W x 3.2" D
• Weight - 1.36
• Color - Black
• West Africa

Smiling amid sunny rays, a playful character wears a hollow halo. Salihu Ibrahim portrays a kplekple (minor spirit). Used in the Goli spirit dance, such masks are considered mischievous; they are often worn by young men who playfully chase girls around the village.

• Dimension - 14" H x 6.75" W x 2.4" D
• Weight - 0.59
• Color - Black
• West Africa

The florid headdress in this mask distinguishes the personification of a Janger dancer. Performed in Bali since the 1920's, the Janger was considered a "dance craze" performed by groups of 12 men and 12 women. The dance begins with everybody sitting down, and as the women sway from side to side, the men perform aggressive movements while chanting kecak. Eventually they all stand up to dance in couples. Nyoman Naranata celebrates the legendary dance with a vivid mask that is hand-carved from hibiscus wood.

Hibiscus wood exhibits colors ranging from white to light gray, dark gray or even black heartwood. This natural occurrence can rarely be replicated, making each carving exceptionally unique. Please expect slight differences in wood grain color and distribution patterns. Theme and artistic quality remain the same.

• Dimension - 9.75" H x 6" W x 3.9" D
• Weight - 0.4
• Color - Beige
• Signed by the artist
• Bali And Java

Regal and distinguished, this mask designed by Rita Addo Zakour personifies the Fia or "Chief" of Ghana's Ewe people. The sese wood mask is expertly carved by hand featuring a crown and ornate collar. The mask is painted in shades of brown, green, cream and brown and treated to a white clay finish for an aged appearance.

• Material - Sese wood
• Color - Brown
• Dimension - 15" H x 7.25" W x 3.5" D
• Weight - 2.71 lbs
• Wood grain and color can vary slightly
• Eco-Friendly: carved from natural and sustainable wood
• Intended as wall decor

By Sefah Mohammed, this handsome mask represents a man from the Berber peoples of North Africa. The symmetrical features receive a coat of textured color, and a hat crowns the mask. Named Faadi, 'lengthy mask' in the language of Ethiopia, it represents the pieces used during Berber sun god festivals.

Product Features

• Color and/or motif may vary slightly
• 12.25" H x 7.75" W x 3.2" D
• Sese wood and white clay
• Brown

Daniel Nyadedzor finds inspiration in the customs and beliefs of the Akan people as he replicates this sese wood mask. Known as Nkunim, the mask is believed to bring success and can be found adorning many homes throughout Ghana. Nyadedzor carves the mask of sese wood and adorns it with embossed brass plates.