A Pair African Masks Mossi Birds, Two Tribal Masks From Exotic Wood Burkina Faso, Early 20th Century
Varna, Bulgaria
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Easy returns (14 days)
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Damage is rare, and you're fully protected if it happens.
Dimensions
Wear Condition
Good
Material
Other Wood
Style
Antique, African
Product Details
Description
In Mossi society, the male head of a clan often owns a mask that evokes an important being or animal associated with his family's origin myth. The clan and its totemic animal are inextricably linked. Totemic masks like this one are intended to serve as direct lines of communication between their owners and the founding members of their extended family.
When the mask was danced, performers imitated the motions of the animals their masks depicted.
Two extremely rare African mask-birds of the Mossi tribe from the territory of Burkina Faso.
They are made of exotic wood and the precious thing in this case is the aroma of the wood. The masks were made more than 100 years ago, colored with mineral pigments, smeared and treated with preparations against wood eaters, but they still smell divinely of INCENSE ( Frankincense)!
At the end they are framed by holes, where feathers and straw were probably woven in to imitate even more successfully the plumage of a bird.
Another valuable thing is that they are a couple. One is a centimeter or two smaller, which makes me think of a male and female mask.
I offer them with specially made stands and the height is 94 cm. This height gives the privilege to position them even on the floor.
Wear Condition
Good
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Returns
We have a 14-day return guarantee for orders from individual sellers, within the UK and European Union. View full policy.
Additional Delivery Info from Seller
Estimated delivery time
One to two weeks
Free collection available
No
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Wear conditions
Excellent
Shows little to no signs of wear and tear.
Good
May show slight traces of use in keeping with age. Most vintage and antique items fit into this condition.
Average
Likely to show signs of some light scratching and ageing but still remains in a fair condition.
Apparent Wear and Tear
Visible signs of previous use including scratches, chips or stains.
Please refer to condition report, images or make a seller enquiry for additional information.
Cancellations and Returns
Last updated: 12/02/2026
Clear, predictable protection for every pre-loved purchase.
Simple £75 flat return fee for UK-to-UK mainland furniture when you change your mind.
Applies to furniture with a final selling price of up to £5,000 (excluding delivery and service fees) and delivered from a UK mainland seller to mainland UK addresses. Excludes Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Scottish Highlands & Islands, Isle of Wight and Isles of Scilly.
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There are two return types:
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B. You changed your mind
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To make UK furniture returns predictable and stress-free, we offer a simple flat return fee of £75.
- Applies to furniture delivered from a UK mainland seller to a mainland UK address. Excludes Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Scottish Highlands & Islands, Isle of Wight and Isles of Scilly.
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All other items
Most smaller items are straightforward to return.
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But if something does go wrong, you're fully protected.
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We'll guide you through the rest.
6. What happens next
- We review your request, confirm the return and advise on next steps
- Pickup or return method is arranged
- The item is returned to the seller
- We issue your refund once the seller confirms the item's condition
Returns are completed smoothly once the pickup is arranged.
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Once the seller receives the piece back in the same condition it was sent, we'll issue your refund to your original payment method.
Once a refund is issued, it may take up to 5–10 working days for the funds to appear back on your original payment method, depending on your bank or card provider.
If the item is returned with new damage that wasn't present at delivery, the refund may be adjusted following review.
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What your service fee covers
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14-day return guarantee
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Flat-fee return shipping on UK furniture
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Seller vetting
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Dedicated customer support
| Order Value (£) | Fee (£) |
|---|---|
| 0 — 49.99 | 2.75 |
| 50 — 99.99 | 5.50 |
| 100 — 199.99 | 11.00 |
| 200 — 399.99 | 21.00 |
| 400 — 599.99 | 30.00 |
| 600 — 799.99 | 40.00 |
| 800 — 999.99 | 50.00 |
| 1,000 — 1,499.99 | 55.00 |
| 1,500 — 1,999.99 | 60.00 |
| 2,000 — 4,999.99 | 82.50 |
| 5,000+ | 110.00 |
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