Hello to all of our wonderful customers and friends! We know times are difficult for everyone right now in this uncertain world, and we cherish providing the vibrant, happy space you can come to when you need a little pick-me-up.Unfortunately, things are also pretty dire for small businesses, and we could use your help to ensure our ability to keep our doors open. For 39 years we’ve been honored to be a unique part of the NYC community, and we have every hope of continuing to be that little wonderland in your life for a long, long time.However, since the beginning of 2025, our business has been affected by the double whammy of a significant drop in income paired with rising costs. Despite our best efforts, we have found ourselves falling deeper and deeper into debt. This substantial decrease in day to day sales at our Union Square location is calling into question whether keeping our brick and mortar store open is sustainable.
- Gurunsi Plank Buffalo Mask, Burkina Faso #758
- A Gurunsi Plank Buffalo Mask with superstructure, region Boromo, between Oujadougo and Dobodioulasso, Burkina Faso, of hollowed oval form and large proportions, an elongated snout and open mouth beneath target-shaped eyes, a raised ridge running perpendicular between the eyes, atop a tall superstructure with complex series of planks of different forms, decorated with incised and painted lines and exes, which represent moral lessons...for attachment; the entire mask is carved from a single piece of brown wood, fine encrusted patina of black, white and red pigments, traces of use and age, several cracks, incl. stand.
- "The Gurunis carve dozens of different types of mask in the form of animals, humans, and a large variety of purely abstract, non-representational shapes. Masks represent bush buffalo, antelope, bush pigs, hyenas, serpents, crocodiles, birds, insects, and several categories...who organize the initiation, use as teaching devices. The young initiates memorize the patterns and learn the meanings of the combinations of signs on each of the masks."
- Lit.: Christopher D. Roy/Thomas G.B. Wheelock: Land of the Flying Masks. Art and Culture in Burkina Faso. The Thomas G. B. Wheelock Collection, München 2007, p. 48.
- Measurements: 90cm
- Condition: Excellent; traces of Ritual Use and age
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We truly love that you're making things, but unfortunately we do not buy things consignment or purchase outside work.
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Beads Of Paradise began in the late 1980’s as a small store in the East Village. We originally specialized in African antiquities, textiles, beads and jewelry – but as interest in world art and beads grew throughout the 1990s, we underwent a major expansion and moved to our current location in the historic Flatiron district of New York City. Read More; A Visual History
