Q: Thanks for a great appreciation of the vaquero style mask. A welcome affirmation of what I had hoped. Here are images of what I think is an old African Bwa hombo or forgeron with age and character. You have great website – love it! Arthur, 964
A: I rarely ask someone who sends a mask to us for something else. But I had a hunch you would please us once again. This is an above average Bwa mask, traditional in style and use of the black, red and white paints. The Bwa people are found in Burkina Faso, which is just below Mali in West Africa. Even a generalist collector like me would want to own several Bwa masks. They are so attractive, and they come in dramatically different sizes and shapes. Assuming it is old and used, I would value this one as an A+.
