Box framed full face metal mask

Hi all,I did not buy this. Was considering it (but it’s more money than I would like to spend on an impulse/‘maybe’ buy) I see many framed wooden masks and also some framed small lightweight metal masks ever now and then. But I have never seen a framed full face metal mask before. What absolutely surprised me is how really heavy this thing is. Must be solid cast iron (maybe bronze?) I think it must present some African mask? Doesn’t look that old to me and the age/patina looks maybe artificial/applied to me. Do you all agree? Thanks for any comments

 

More high-end decore item,right?

 

I'm thinking Home Goods or similar.

Debora

 

I agree, home decor. Love the frame.

 

Thanks for commenting. Was also thinking decor. But I also thought it would have probably been expensive ‘new’ (so maybe some re-sale value) I would still like to just hold the mask
that just for intrest sake (little boat anchor)

 

The presentation says home goods but the mask doesn’t to me. Particularly the weight, there would be zero incentive to make it that heavy for a home goods type store. There would be every incentive not to make it that heavy actually. You sure it’s metal? I’m not saying it isn’t, just wondering. I thought maybe jade or a jade like stone when I first saw it. There were some Neolithic Chinese masks that had somewhat similar lines above the eyes. Also not saying it’s that. Just a thought. Reads more as stone to me in the photos. If it’s not a total fantasy piece the mask is pretty cool. Even if it is fantasy its cool. What did it go for? If someone paid over decor price maybe they knew something.

 

As always, it would be helpful to see a photograph of the back including frame.

Debora

 

Thanks for the interesting comments. It does have a overall decor look. Buy yes I absolutely agree with you regarding the surprising weight. Also not sure why they would have made it so heavy for a decor piece. My first thought was cast iron (but really I didn’t have much time to look at it,the shop was about to close in a few minutes) and I was paying for 2 other paintings I was already buying. In searching I couldn’t find any very similar masks online (which also makes me wonder) probably fantasy mask.. I really just want to hold the mask just out of curiosity. Also wondering how this heavy thing was secured to the box. I also think someone paid alot of money for it new.

 

Asking price was around $80. But I was already spending more than $50 that day on my little ‘hobby’ and I need to check myself and more importantly check ‘space’ Iam using 3 different auction houses this month to clear a varied range of items (before my wife divorces me )

 

Absolutely agree,but I really only had a few minutes. This double story secondhand store has a crazy amount of items (must be thousands) This was in a different area (not at the paintings and wall decor section) and I come across it when I was
going pay for 2 paintings (5 min before closing time)

 

u always have a home right here !!

 

Would be really cool if it was stone. I must admit Iam more intrigued now. But I still think it’s just a upmarket over ‘engineered’ decor piece..

 

Ha ha,I really appreciate that Komo.. ..
But you know happy wife and all…She is really great and very accommodating,but
I also understand.. In these many many years I have never stopped buying (well
‘collecting’ according to me )