Hand Carved Wood and Raffia African Mask from Ghana 'Sweet Agbevivi' Item ID: 2671803566

Name: Hand Carved Wood and Raffia African Mask from Ghana 'Sweet Agbevivi'
Brand: Ralph Kwasi Agudze
SKU: 2671803566
Price: 159.99 USD
Availability: InStock

$159.99

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About this item

"Exercising his natural ability for handcrafts, Ghanaian artisan Ralph Kwasi Agudze carves this African mask by hand from local sese wood, accenting the face with a beard of raffia fibers. He finishes the mask by sanding it and rubbing it with clay to give it a rustic finish, naming it Agbevivi, a Ewe word meaning 'life is sweet.'"

Item detail

4.83 lb
19 inches H x 7.8 inches W x 3 inches D
2.71 lbs
19 inches H x 7.8 inches W x 3 inches D
Sese wood
raffia
Features a rustic
rugged finish
Hand-crafted item -- color
size and/or motif may vary slightly
Intended as wall decor

Made in Ghana

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Ralph Kwasi Agudze

In 1995, the company had to lay off some of its workers, which affected Agudze so he decided to move and learn a trade of his own. He was encouraged to pursue art by William Amede, a Contracting Project Surveyor. I was so determined to make it, it took me just a few months to learn carving and I discovered a surprising natural ability, Agudze recalls. He then established a woodcarving business. He uses files, chisels, vices, hammers, and usually prefers ebony or tick wood, depending on the kind of work he has in mind.

Agudze is married with two children, a son and a daughter, who are seriously engaged in their studies.

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Ralph Kwasi Agudze

Ralph Kwasi Agudze African masks and drums

Ralph Kwasi Agudze was born on January 8, 1955 in the Volta region of Ghana. He attended a Roman Catholic primary school and then went on to his secondary schooling. Since childhood, beginning at the age of ten, I was interested in arts, he says. Upon completing his middle school education, he gained employment at a textile company as a weaver between 1973 and 1995. During this period, he furthered his education by registering with the Institute of Adult Education.

In 1995, the company had to lay off some of its workers, which affected Agudze so he decided to move and learn a trade of his own. He was encouraged to pursue art by William Amede, a Contracting Project Surveyor. I was so determined to make it, it took me just a few months to learn carving and I discovered a surprising natural ability, Agudze recalls. He then established a woodcarving business. He uses files, chisels, vices, hammers, and usually prefers ebony or tick wood, depending on the kind of work he has in mind.

Agudze is married with two children, a son and a daughter, who are seriously engaged in their studies.

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Africa Artisan Empowerment Hub

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

Ralph financially supports two of his children who are attending the university.

Maker Badge Microcredit Financing

Ralph Kwasi Agudze has received 6 microcredit loans with 0% interest from Kiva and Novica, the first for $100 and the most recent for $300.