Akan Blessing African wood mask
Akan Blessing African wood mask
SKU: SKU: SK-NVC-188200
Carved by hand from African sese wood, this handsome mask exhibits an exquisite equilibrium of form and size. The rich textures of aluminum repoussé enhance its beauty, while beach pebbles center the forehead. Otchere Raymond delves into his creative imagination to create the mask. He names it Nhyira which means 'Blessing' in the Akan language.
- materials: Sese wood and aluminum
- Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
Artisan Information
Artisan Information
Otchere Raymond
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Update (July, 2019)
"My name is Raymond Otchere, and I have been with this company called NOVICA for 20 years.
"I joined NOVICA initially as part of a group (with my brothers) until I later became a sole artisan. I am extremely skilled at what I do, therefore I had no issue with either my new products or replenishment.
"My main success that I can speak of is providing for my children with my sales from NOVICA. My children have had the best of educations, thanks to Novica. I have three children, and some of them are handling their own businesses and so on.
"As a way of passing down my skill, I have trained more than four artisans. All four of the artisans are doing well and now have their own shops. I have expanded greatly in scale. Now I have my own shop, and my goal is to create more unique items for both my shop and NOVICA."
Original Artisan Story
"I am a master woodcarver and create masks, profiles, figures and drums, among other crafts. My workshop is located in the hills of Aburi, a leafy and vibrant town in the Eastern Region of Ghana. This skill of carving has been passed on for generations in my family. I was trained under the supervision of my father who was also a master carver and very well known in our region.
"I have been a carver since I was almost 30, and this art has sustained my family for most of my life. Like my father, I am a respected craftsmen in my town and have taught a lot of young men over the years. Currently, I work with two apprentices who are happy to learn under my tutelage. My inspiration for designing and producing comes from within and from the beautiful things of nature that surround me.
"I am a family man with three children – two girls and a boy, and I hope to pass the skill on to my son someday just like my father did. I believe that my son should learn the skill even if he does not pursue it as a career, in order to pass the heritage on for generations to come."
Supplier Information
Supplier Information
NOVICA was started with a dream to create a better world for artisans, because a better world for artisans is a better world for all.
Along the way, the founders of NOVICA discovered something very important - as artisans around the world succeeded, there was also a visible and profound impact on the communities around them.
Your purchases are that powerful. They directly and indirectly provide for education, help with health care, fund basic needs, support children, preserve disappearing arts, and of course, spread happiness around the world.
The founders of NOVICA had a vision of the future that is not one of mega factories producing cookie cutter products for all to cheaply consume. Instead, a bright future that celebrates artisans who take the time to create an item by hand. A future where time is protected, where stories are told, where unique details are honored. Love, respect, inclusiveness become driving force.
Shipping
Shipping
For best chance of delivery for Christmas, place orders using Standard Shipping by December 14th. United States shipping only. Expedited shipping is unavailable. Allow for 1-2 days extra processing time. This product may ship separately from other products in your order and may have longer than normal shipping timelines as it will ship directly from its country of origin.
Returns
Returns
All sales of this product are final -- we do not accept returns or issue replacements unless there is a defect with the product. Please review our Returns & Exchanges policy.