Meaning "peace" in the Akan language of Ghana, the name of this African mask is Asomdwe. Joseph Boateng creates the mask, which he hand-carves from sese wood, its patterned surface finished in tones of black, red, and yellow. Embossed aluminum accentuates the cheeks and forehead, the latter of which features the image of an elephant.

Product Features: 

• Dimension: 19" H x 6.25" W x 3.1" D
• Weight: 1.29
• Color: Black
• Material: Sese wood, aluminum
• Made in Ghana

Story Behind the art:
Latest Update

"Handmade crafts have been my passion since I was a youngster. It was very challenging for me to turn that into business. It wasn't easy until I joined Novica in 2005. Marketing was a huge problem for most artisans in Ghana, but everything changed when I signed up to join Novica. My quality kept on improving so I could meet the standards of Novica's customers, and to be honest, I have seen a great change in my financial life.

"The challenge I also use to face is to keep up with the same products. Replenishing the same pieces became a bit of a problem because I wasn't financially able to keep my raw materials in stock. But Novica found me a solution by offering me an interest-free loan, and now I can always keep products available.

"I started working at home but now I have a shop in the central part of the country where I hire people to work with and also train them. My scale of production changes all the time, and I don't have a consistent income. Sometimes I get more and sometimes I get less, but all the same I can see a great change. I have been able to financially support my kids' education. I now have a university graduate, one university student and also a primary school graduate.

"My goal now is to get more to market and try to attain a constant growing income. I want to tell all Novica customers that I appreciate their love all these years in helping me reach my goals."

Original Artist Story

My name is Joseph Boateng, and I was born in the Ashanti region on September 23, 1966. I had my primary education in a Roman Catholic school from 1972 to 1978, and received my middle school education from 1978 to 1982.

My sister then brought me to a town where I had a friend who knows a lot about carving. He then took me to another village where I learn this trade. Later, I moved to a city where now I train 14 people. I am married, with three children.

I have always dreamed of promoting Ghana's rich culture to the outside world through well designed artifacts. I specialize in a wide range of wood carving styles, such as Ashanti stools, coffee tables, masks, fertility dolls and bookends.

I began exhibiting my work in 2002.

The handmade touch of artisan skill creates variations in color, size and design. If buying two of the same item, slight differences should be expected. Note: Color discrepancies may occur between this product and your computer screen.

Imported