Artisan Crafted Baule Tribe Wood Queen Mask 'Baule Queen' Item ID: 2677063885

Name: Artisan Crafted Baule Tribe Wood Queen Mask 'Baule Queen'
Brand: Victor Addo Biney
SKU: 2677063885
Price: 267.99 USD
Availability: InStock

$267.99

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About this item

"With her regal bearing and luxurious coiffure, she could only be a tribal queen. Victor Addo Biney of Ghana creates this Baule-style mask, modeled after ceremonial masks used by that tribe. The Baule people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Cote d'Ivoire."

Item detail

5.51 lbs
28.5 inches H x 10.3 inches W x 3.1 inches D
Sese wood
aluminum
Hand-crafted item -- color
size and/or motif may vary slightly
Intended as wall decor

Made in Ghana

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Victor Addo Biney

Latest Update

"When I first began working with you, it was a very difficult task as I had never worked with any group like that. I was introduced by Samuel Okyere, a colleague. You have helped me develop my work, as in coming up with new designs, and I feel you have also elevated us to the world. Today, I've been able to push my first born to the university, as well as my nieces and nephews. Some of my in-laws are living irresponsible lives, and I have taken it upon myself to cater for their kids. My family is now well taken care of by me, in terms of their fees.

"Initially, I faced many challenges. I didn't always have the funds for materials to create my popular masks and carvings and develop new designs. The other challenge is that the rainy season delays our ability to produce more. Actually, 95 percent of the designs on my page were carved by me in my house. But now I have been able to expand in scale. I have employed more people. I used to depend solely on the sales I make from my shop, but you have given me another avenue. My hope is to create more and more exciting designs for you."

Original Artisan Story

"I am a wood carver. I am a quiet person and easy-to-approach person. Victor Addo Biney is my name, and I was born in Accra, Ghana.

"I learned the art of carving from my uncle, Mr. Nortey Yeboah. I had to stay with him after my parents separated and he put me through school from the resources of his carving workshop. I used to sit in his workshop and watch him carve. It was fascinating to see how a wooden log could be used to create beautiful objects. This, I believe, initiated the desire in me to know and learn more about this art.

"After junior high school, I was working on my carving with him in the workshop to improve on my skills and, by the time I had moved on to senior high, I had become a master carver. The interest I derived from carving motivated me to pursue visual arts in senior high school.

"It was difficult for my uncle to pay my senior school fees so I had to start selling the items I was carving to pay for my fees and the books I needed. I had to work hard because that was the guarantee for my continuance at school. Due to the fact that I was good at what I did, I used to get some exporters giving me some of their works to produce for them. I earned a good income from such contracts.

"The difficult aspect of it was that I had to go to the forest to get the wood I needed and carve the pieces there in the forest, before sending them to the workshop to finish them. What helped me through those difficult moments was the reward for the hard work.

"On completion of senior high school, I built a workshop and continued with my carving venture. My workshop was strategically situated in an area where tourists could stop by to observe us carve and so pick up some of the items we had on display.

"I have trained several people and continue to train others. I also train students in second and third years of senior school who visit the workshop for assistance with their coursework and more. I have trained 25 of them so far.

"I am the president of the Aburi craft village which comprises 250 artisans. Sixty percent of them are carvers while forty percent are retailers and finishers.

"My hopes, plans and dreams are to expand my workshop. My source of inspiration comes from God."

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Victor Addo Biney

Victor Addo Biney hand-carved masks

Latest Update

"When I first began working with you, it was a very difficult task as I had never worked with any group like that. I was introduced by Samuel Okyere, a colleague. You have helped me develop my work, as in coming up with new designs, and I feel you have also elevated us to the world. Today, I've been able to push my first born to the university, as well as my nieces and nephews. Some of my in-laws are living irresponsible lives, and I have taken it upon myself to cater for their kids. My family is now well taken care of by me, in terms of their fees.

"Initially, I faced many challenges. I didn't always have the funds for materials to create my popular masks and carvings and develop new designs. The other challenge is that the rainy season delays our ability to produce more. Actually, 95 percent of the designs on my page were carved by me in my house. But now I have been able to expand in scale. I have employed more people. I used to depend solely on the sales I make from my shop, but you have given me another avenue. My hope is to create more and more exciting designs for you."

Original Artisan Story

"I am a wood carver. I am a quiet person and easy-to-approach person. Victor Addo Biney is my name, and I was born in Accra, Ghana.

"I learned the art of carving from my uncle, Mr. Nortey Yeboah. I had to stay with him after my parents separated and he put me through school from the resources of his carving workshop. I used to sit in his workshop and watch him carve. It was fascinating to see how a wooden log could be used to create beautiful objects. This, I believe, initiated the desire in me to know and learn more about this art.

"After junior high school, I was working on my carving with him in the workshop to improve on my skills and, by the time I had moved on to senior high, I had become a master carver. The interest I derived from carving motivated me to pursue visual arts in senior high school.

"It was difficult for my uncle to pay my senior school fees so I had to start selling the items I was carving to pay for my fees and the books I needed. I had to work hard because that was the guarantee for my continuance at school. Due to the fact that I was good at what I did, I used to get some exporters giving me some of their works to produce for them. I earned a good income from such contracts.

"The difficult aspect of it was that I had to go to the forest to get the wood I needed and carve the pieces there in the forest, before sending them to the workshop to finish them. What helped me through those difficult moments was the reward for the hard work.

"On completion of senior high school, I built a workshop and continued with my carving venture. My workshop was strategically situated in an area where tourists could stop by to observe us carve and so pick up some of the items we had on display.

"I have trained several people and continue to train others. I also train students in second and third years of senior school who visit the workshop for assistance with their coursework and more. I have trained 25 of them so far.

"I am the president of the Aburi craft village which comprises 250 artisans. Sixty percent of them are carvers while forty percent are retailers and finishers.

"My hopes, plans and dreams are to expand my workshop. My source of inspiration comes from God."

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The traditional arts are a vibrant aspect of everyday life in West Africa. From richly intricate handwoven kente cloth fabrics, to intricately colorful beaded arts, ceremonial masks, and exquisite jewelry, to traditional throne-stools hand-carved for customers by the Ashanti king's actual chief carver, artisans proudly offer their region's finest handmade works of art.

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Maker Badge Enabling Education

Victor's uncle was also a carver. He supported Victor's junior high studies and did his best to support his high school education. However, when Victor had just one year of school left, his uncle was no longer able to cover his expenses. But by carving and selling his own designs, Victor was able to pay for his last year of school. With a lot of determination and hard work, he has been able to support his children's education and never wants them to experience the same hardships he faced.

Maker Badge Preserving Traditions

Victor constantly gives back to his community and to younger generations by sharing and teaching his craft. Many parents do not see the opportunities for career in carving or arts so they do not teach their children about it. He opens his door to anyone who is willing to learn and helps preserve the carving traditions by educating the younger generations. Victor hopes to serve as a role model for the younger generation who want to learn to carve and make a living from it.

Maker Badge Profound Impact

As many other opportunities in his area have disappeared, Victor relies heavily on his NOVICA sales to provide for himself and his four other family members.

Maker Badge Empowering Women

The Women's Empowerment badge is awarded to female artisans or artisan groups that are led by women.

Maker Badge Microcredit Financing

Victor Addo Biney has received 5 microcredit loans with 0% interest from Kiva and Novica, the first for $200 and the most recent for $300. Proceeds were used to purchase metal plates, paints, and polish for his masks.