Handmade Silence Is Golden African Mask (Ghana)

Hewn from native sese wood and detailed by hand, this handsome mask is the work of Ibrahim Seyeed. Embossed aluminum provides rich textures and highlights the personage's features. "The name 'Silence is Golden' is a proverbial saying, often used in circumstances where it is thought that saying nothing is preferable to speaking," the artisan says of his original design.

Product Features -
Weight - 1.89 lbs
Dimension - 17.5" H x 6.75" W x 4.1" D
Color - Multicolor
Material - Sese wood and aluminum
Intended as wall decor
Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
Made in Ghana

Story Behind The Art -
Born on June 25 in the Eastern Region of Ghana, I'd say I am a principled, hardworking and sociable person. I developed the interest for art at a very tender age. My father was a carver and growing up I always observed how he went about his work. He also started training me every day after school. After completing Junior High I decided to dedicate myself to the art of wood carving full time. I was still working with my father when I was 20 years old, when I decided to start on my own. I had a man-to-man talk with my father to explain my need to be working on my own. He was glad I had taken this most important decision, and he offered me his blessing as well as gave me some advice on good work ethics that would guide my life. The day I left my father gave me a gift: two boxes of carving tools. I also had support from other carvers since I had been very respectful while I was working with my father. It was not difficult starting up on my own back in 2000, and most of my customers are tourists who come to my workshop to purchase my work. I have been able to train about 15 people on how to carve. I get my inspiration from observing my environment. As I fix my gaze on the wood I can see the object I can carve out. Being able to carve beautiful objects out of a simple piece of wood is what excites me most about my art work. I use sese, ebony, and tweneboa woods to carve my products and I decorate them with acrylics. It is my dream, hope and plan to expand my workshop to be able to employ more people as I currently have four assistants. I also want to be able to own a house some day in the future.