African Masks What Did I Buy?

Greetings and as always, TIA. OK you tribal guys, what did I buy? I was more interested in the one with all the fabric but the seller wanted to get rid of both although the longer one felt wrong to me but he basically threw it in to get me to buy the other. Beside identification, do you think they’re safe to hang as far as infestations go? I’m a little flipped but not enough to not keep them although I’m thinking about putting them both in a big plastic bag with mothballs or whatever you guys suggest and leaving them in the garage for a month. I’m assuming that they’re both African. If I got taken, it wasn’t too much so no biggie and lesson learned.

I was told that they were old (I think the fabric one is but not so much on the other) and inherited and he was moving and didn’t want them. There’s one more that I didn’t buy (he wanted more than these two together) but I took a picture and will post it separately if you don’t mind looking. Thanks!

 

Mask 2

 

Thanks again!

 

Pics cut off, apologies. Self taught w resizing and not so great! Mask 2

 

Yes ,these are African.
Your first mask is in the style of Dan/Grebo mask. The second mask is likely a Bwa Nyangay form mask.
If they look to have active insects in them I would bag them and freeze them for a month. Might be hard to get the Bwa into a freezer though.

 

TY so much. I don’t see anything active but the one you say is Dan/Grebo is filthy. The fabric is pretty gross. Does it have age? What should I do to clean it? Can you give me an idea of value although I’m definitely keeping it. Just curious. Any thoughts on the one I left w the cowrie shells? It was under $100.

 

You are welcome.
Others may come along with more specific information , but I would say just dust them and hang them on the wall. The dirt and grime is part of the charisma of these pieces in my opinion. Just get anything loose off and leave the rest.
As far as age these are likely less than 25 years old. Not museum pieces , but great for home décor. I think you got the better 2 of the 3 masks. I would leave the other one unless super cheap.
It is very rare to find pieces of age in the wild anymore. Most have been collected many years ago and are in well known collections. It is in my opinion best to go into the collecting of African tribal art with the thought of buying as artistic value only. Assume that all pieces are new/newish and intentionally aged. Keep investment low and enjoy!
Not to say there are no old pieces out there , but it is just best to assume you wont find one at the local flea.

 

they should all be under a hundred.........
I don't see anything earlier than the 80's....or 90's
they are very fond of burying these items in the ground....or dirtying them up then scuffing them....for that old time look and smell.

 

Thanks guys. I so appreciate your time. Got the two for $75 which I probably would have paid for the Dan/Grebo which I liked a lot. Wish it had more age but I hung it already and am happy with it unless you all think it’s too garbagey to keep. I’ll probably try and find a home for the other one and glad I didn’t buy the third one which I didn’t like at all. I don’t want to look like an African airport shop!

 

It is not "garbagey" to me. But the most important thing with these pieces is that it "speaks" to you. If a piece has appeal to you and is reasonable to you in price , I say go for it.
Enjoy!!

 

TY again. The one definitely spoke to me. The other, not so much lol.