Bag
Your cart is currently empty

Congolese wood mask, 'Bajokwe Soothsayer'

Product ID: U72558

Curate

Congolese wood mask, 'Bajokwe Soothsayer'

5.0 (artist rating)

This item is available for pre-order and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Learn More

Available in 2 to 8 weeks. Learn More

Details

Carved by hand, this handsome mask depicts a soothsayer from the Bajokwe tribe of Congo, formerly Zaire. Sinclair Yao Daley gives it a smooth finish with rich brown color from natural cola nut dye. "This mask is used to predict the people's future and foretell the outcome of situations in their lives," the artisan explains.

Made in Ghana

  • Sese wood
  • Intended as wall decor
  • Features a rustic, rugged finish
  • Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
  • Free Gift Wrap? No
  • Premium Gift Wrap? No
  • 0.42 kgs
  • 0.9 lbs
  • 43 cm H x 16 cm W x 8 cm D
  • 17" H x 6.25" W x 3.1" D
View in metric units View in US/English units

Product Reviews By Customers

(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)

Triple 'Win' Pricing

Morneo

Meet the Artist

Artfully crafted by Morneo from West Africa.

 

Meet the Artist

Morneo

Morneo

5.0 (artist rating)

"It's very satisfying for me to work on each piece, its details, the way the light and shadows fall on a design. Finally, I love to make people say, 'Wow!'"

Latest Update"I have been working with you since 2016, but these years have allowed me to realize the value that Mexican... Latest Update

"I have been working with you since 2016, but these years have allowed me to realize the value that Mexican handicrafts have in the world.

"It's gratifying to see how people appreciate Mexican talent outside of the country. Aside from being a painter and sculptor, theater is one of the areas where I find the most personal growth and that has allowed me to express myself.

"These past years have been challenging. My wife suffers from agoraphobia with obsessive-compulsive disorder. My work has allowed me to be more attentive to her needs. But at the same time, it has been difficult maintaining consistency and inspiration in my work, which impassions me so much.

"When I heard about you, I loved the idea of creating pieces that complement the daily life of whoever owns them. My passions are papier mache alebrijes and their outlandish combination of colors. Creating masks with an incredible degree of realism allows me to generate a fixed income. Quality was a challenge that was very difficult, realizing how each detail can be of great importance for clients. I focused on improving quality in order to increase my sales.

"The situation with my wife has forced me to spend more time working from home than I ever could have imagined. Working from home is a blessing — you are able to respond to the needs of your family. But it's difficult seeing a loved one under such circumstances.

"I was greatly pleased that you allowed me to tell my story through a blog. I liked this a lot and it gave me the opportunity to share my day-to-day, inspiring me to carry on. I want to continue growing with the help of you all, who have taught me so much. Thank you."

Original Artisan Story

"My name is Manuel Moreno and I'm a painter from Mexico. Everyone knows me as Morneo — a name my wife has always called me. I studied papier maché in Mexico City's Museo de Arte Popular, and I craft masks and other papier maché items.

"I consider creative inspiration to be God's gift, and it's easy for me to give my ideas form. I love the freedom I have to imagine and create, although sometimes I need a lot of patience and willingness to master an art technique.

"I started to sell my designs on the sidewalk and, over time, I've been able to develop myself professionally. I currently teach and also work in papier maché.

"The difficulties I've faced in life have taught me to grow as a person and to mature in my work. My wife has suffered from agoraphobia and depressive anxiety since the 1990s. Her condition has helped me open my mind and, thanks to that, it's encouraged me to teach people with different abilities, which has been very important and satisfying for me.

"This started when they introduced me to a girl with cerebral palsy who wanted to take classes from me. Without knowing anything about psychology or therapy, I accepted and began to mentor her. It's been an extremely gratifying experience, since I can say she's learned from me and I from her. She's helped me realize that art can be a kind of therapy. I've also had the opportunity to teach two people who suffered from strokes and I'm happy to say that my students' conditions have improved, according to what they tell me. They've improved their artistic abilities.

"Through these experiences, I've started to think more about the social aspect of art. Today, I'm dedicated to helping young people exchange guns for pencils so they can get away from violence by providing them the tools to help them discover their artistic talents. Aside from that, I also teach older people because I think it's important to contribute to society through art.

"I use wires, newspaper, cardboard, paste and acrylic paint for my creations All of these materials are recyclable because I want to help the environment. The most important part for me after finishing is a piece is that shoppers like it, so that I can earn a living.

"I'd like to keep working and participate in national and international expositions, visiting other countries and showing my work. It's very satisfying for me to work on each piece, its details, the way the light and shadows fall on a design. Finally, I love to make people say, 'Wow!'"

More from this artist

View All

PREVIOUSLY VIEWED

This item qualifies for FREE SHIPPING!

This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.

We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.

Return instructions

We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.

This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.

Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.

If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.

In the unlikely even that we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will contact you and provide an updated delivery window.

This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).

WOMEN S M L XL XXL
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
BUST 35 - 36 37 - 38 39 - 41 42 - 44 46 - 48
WAIST 27 - 28 29 - 30 31 - 33 34 - 36 38 - 40
HIPS 37 - 38 39 - 40 42 - 43 45 - 46 49 - 50
MEN S M L XL XXL
CHEST 36 - 38 39 - 41 42 - 44 46 - 48 50 - 52
WAIST 30 - 32 32 - 34 35 - 37 38 - 41 43 - 45
NECK 14 - 14.5 15 - 15.5 16 - 16.5 17 - 17.5 18 - 18.5
SLEEVE 32.5 33.5 34.5 35.5 36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE

Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.

BUST / CHEST

Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.

WAIST

Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.

LOW WAIST

Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.

HIPS

Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.

NECK

Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.

SLEEVE

Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.

INSEAM

Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.

 

Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.

For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.

For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.

See buckle/tie belt size standards below.

WOMEN S M L XL  
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
inches 26 - 30 28 - 32 31 - 35 34 - 38 38 - 42
cm 76 - 86 81.5 - 91.5 86.5 - 96.5 91.5 - 101.5 96.5 - 106.5

+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm

MEN S M L XL XXL
inches 30 - 34 32 - 36 35 - 39 39 - 43 43 - 47
cm 81.5 - 91.5 86.5 - 96.5 91.5 - 101.5 96.5 - 106.5 109 - 119

+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm

Sash tie length

Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.

Belt with buckle

Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.

Belt without buckle

Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.

Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!

DOWNLOAD

We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.

Premium gift wrapping

Turn your gift-giving into an art form with our new premium gift wrapping service!

Delivering a beautiful handmade treasure, wrapped by hand in exquisite packaging will make your gifts truly unforgettable.

Above all, it's EASY! Just select the premium gift wrapping option during checkout and we do the rest. No more last minute worries about presentation - your gifts will be the best dressed every time!

Most premium gift wrap is only $3.95 - $5.95 per item.

Select your gift wrap option during checkout

Select your gift wrap option during checkout

Go premium for jewelry gifts!

Go premium for jewelry gifts!

Triple 'Win' Pricing

UNICEF Market offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.

WIN # 1 You Save!

UNICEF Market's artisan-direct prices are made possible through our partnership with NOVICA, a leading fair trade organization that works directly with artisans in remote regions around the world in many of the same communities where UNICEF has missions. NOVICA’s ten global Artisan Empowerment Hubs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America provide interest-free microcredit loans to artisans and help them bring their handmade creations directly to you.

WIN # 2 Children Benefit!

UNICEF Market supports children by helping generate funds for UNICEF's programs dedicated to improving children's lives worldwide. These initiatives provide essential resources such as safe water, nutrition, education, health care, and emergency relief to children in need. Learn more here: UNICEF USA.

WIN # 3 Artisans Thrive!

UNICEF Market empowers artisans in emerging nations by offering a fair trade platform to sell their handcrafted goods, expanding their market reach and increasing their income. This support helps transform the lives of tens of thousands of artisans and their family members across the globe.

Back to Top