Free UPS Ground Shipping

Take advantage of Free UPS Ground Shipping to the continental USA.

International Shipping

If you are an international customer please proceed through our regular checkout or call in your order; 1-203-554-2385. Shipping charges will not be automatically included. The exact costs for international shipments will be sent to you via e-mail after placing your order online. Upon approval the International shipping charges will then be added to your order except in Canada where it is immediately calculated during checkout. If you would like a shipping quote please email info@lotusmasks.com or call us 1-203-554-2385.

Your shipping quote will be calculated based on the exact shipping charges charged to Lotus Masks depending on the weight of the package and the country the order is being shipped. We will email you shipping quotes using both TNT International shipping and the US Postal Service. You can choose which option you prefer. Upon your approval we add the shipping price to the invoice and email you a copy. We then ship the order.

About African Masks

West African masks are rarely produced for purely decorative purposes. Rather, they are highly active signifiers of the spirit world and traditionally play a central role in ceremonies that serve both accompany important rites of passage and to entertain. There is a staggering range of shapes and styles of mask, all of which are invariably rich in meaning; they range from the tiny 'passport' mask of the Dan (Cote d'Ivoire) to the Dogon mask (Mali), which can tower up to 10m in height.

Masks, which are usually created by professional artisans, can be made of wood, brass, tin, leather, cloth, glass beads, natural fibers and even (in the case of the Ashanti) gold. They come in numerous forms, including face masks, helmet masks (which cover the whole head), headdresses (which are secured on the top of the head), the massive nimba masks of the Baga people in Guinea (which are carried on the dancers shoulders), and the famous ivory hip masks from the Kingdom of Benin (present day Nigeria), which are worn around the waist.

Anthropomorphic African Masks vs. Zoomorphic African Masks

West African masks are usually classified as anthropomorphic (resembling the human form) and zoomorphic (the representation of deities in the form of animals). Anthropomorphic masks are often careful carved and very realistic. Many groups use masks representing beautiful maidens, whose features reflect the aesthetic ideal of the people. The zoomorphic masks mostly represent dangerous and powerful natural spirits, and can be an abstract and terrifying combination of gaping jaws, popping eyes and massive horns. Some masks combine human and animal features. These convey the links between humans and animals, in particular the ability to gain and control the powers of animals and the spirits they represent.

African Tribal Zoomorphic Mask

Lotus Masks specializes in West African tribal masks. We invite you explore all our African Masks and discover what makes West African masks some of the most exotic and beautiful masks in the world.

Lotus Masks will donate $5 for each African mask purchase to a charity of your choice. Upon checkout select one of the following charities from the drop down menu: Foster an elephant, Invisible Children, or Save Darfur.