Meet the Fulton Co. man with an unbelievable collection of African masks

[@TorontoJon]

I love African art having been born in South Africa and having lived there for a time as well as having had relatives in South Africa and Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia). My mask collection includes 60 to 80-year-old examples from numerous African countries (Mali, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Congo, etc.) from the following tribes: the Lega, Bamana, Marka, Mossi, Dogon, Dan, Songye, Suku, Bwa, Black Bobo, Punu, Bamileke, Fang, Eket, Urhobo, Salampasu, Kwele, Yoruba,, Kuba, etc.

[@Schneter]

I love Kwele masks, I find them very beautiful

[@dyesnewgroove5189]

I'm glad he is reverent, careful and respectful when handling these artifacts. His mother taught him well.

[@notyouraveragejoe6349]

This man is smart, my father taught me to not buy Mask used in ceremonies and rid it of spirits.

[@rickjames3257]

You understand! It is not art. B1

[@WillowLeeWaters]

They’re so beautiful! I work in a thrift store as quality control for merchandise and we often get hand carved wooden art pieces from Africa. They are beautiful but I never buy masks. I’ve purchased a gorgeous female figure that looks like a mother or goddess kind of vibe, but some of them appear to be ceremonial to me, though I’m ignorant as to whether or not they actually are. It always makes me wonder why they ended up in our care though! Why would someone give away such beautiful masks and carved figures?? 😱 Even he knows you tread lightly. Magickal, spiritual people…their tools are better left alone sometimes. Aesthetically they are amazing!

[@VibrationsfromMirror]

I'd like to see him label them from Origin and Tribe. HISTORY right there, many stories!! WOW~

[@Scugnizz8]

Lovely. What a lovely guy. I love these masks too!

[@TorontoJon]

I have many of my African masks displayed along the top perimeter of the walls in my bedroom and it's interesting that my previous girlfriend while half-asleep beside me said that the masks were watching over us and protecting us. She is Hindu-Indian and she could even detect vibrations being emitted by a Yoruba maternity figure I have in my living room. I think the masks and fetishes I have know that I respect them and revere them (and like this gentleman in the video, I do talk to them now and then), so hopefully, they are happy in my home. :)

[@lwilliams7570]

Beautiful!

[@mimibon7081]

That's so beautiful...his ideology

[@majorrazer748]

I love this type of masks

[@TorontoJon]

It's a beautifully displayed collection, but as an African art collector myself with roughly 40 masks, 14 shields, two spears, a sword, and over a dozen fetish statues, as well as stone carvings from various African tribes and countries, not to mention having over 30 books as well as 20 Sotheby's catalogues dedicated to African art, I can say that his masks, though wonderful in their own way, are not particularly old or tribally used masks. He was right though that tribally used masks have more wear and tear and even have areas that have been rubbed smooth from repeated use. I doubt that many of his masks are older than 25 to 40 years old, but I do admire and share his passion for African art and as I said, he has displayed his extensive collection beautifully. Even as newer pieces, they are still better than a lot of junk one sees on eBay. The sad reality too is a lot of the best African art is already in museums or in private collections and modern African art has become a caricature of itself with each new generation which pales in comparison to older, tribally used masks, so even if one recognizes that some of his masks are (or are in the style of) Dan masks from Liberia, or Punu masks from Gabon, or Songye masks from the Congo, or Mossi masks from Burkina Faso, they are not old or particularly valuable examples (not like masks sold through Sotheby's, for example, with provenance as well as obvious age and wear), but they are great pieces of décor and wonderful conversation pieces, for sure. Who wouldn't want to spend time with this gentleman to discuss his collection and talk about African art? I'd take that offer all day long, so bravo to him for allowing viewers to see his collection that he has lovingly and respectfully curated in his home.

[@jhmstagg9104]

I agree with you, bravo for allowing the camera in and talking about what you have and what you are doing with it.

[@chouchounah]

As a Congolese who loves the "art" from my country, I'm not quite sure how to respond to this. I have plenty of masks, and you are right, all of them new and all of them beautiful. I would have loved to buy older pieces if I could afford them or better yet, find them. Unfortunately, we know where those are. I'm not one to point fingers, but sometimes, fingers need to be pointed. I am sure you paid a fair prices for all that art.

[@ernestineoliver8320]

Beautiful collection

[@everythingilike9559]

Theyre beautiful x

[@cubehire3653]

I bought two African masks at an antique show and and am now figuring out how to hang them. I also have to figure out where to hang them in my house.

[@cubehire3653]

I have collected many more African Masks and hung them since my last reply. I have also bought several African Art books. I wish I have traveled and seen what you have.

[@The.Whoever]

They're beautiful but I'd still be afraid to bring them in my home.

[@tyronemckeiver1674]

It's nothing like purchasing masks on the continent! I've been to Ghana and Gambia!

[@christopherchristianvanlan1809]

Impressive collection..You should contact James Wan the horror director amd have them in one of hos movies. This is way too cool ....

[@them0stanoying-500]

The massive goli mask at the top is hilarious

[@Sapphirefoxy]

That man has a lot of wicked energy in his house

[@ekl7804]

Yet you have Japanese characters in your name 😂

[@Sapphirefoxy]

@@ekl7804 👁️👄👁️

[@nikohil.2945]

I'm in Boston mass I have a African ceremony Mask would like you to take a look at if you have the time thank you so much.

[@laknews7885]

www.ebay.com/str/sab0045

[@awake5650]

🔥🔥🔥

[@YakMonk1936]

Patrick's Mistakes.... Again..... Thanks NYPD....🇺🇲⚖️🇪🇦

[@spinebuster9490]

Those are spiritual masks.

[@max_w13]

Need help, bought an African mask but would like to know its meaning.

[@bigharp0949]

He dropped some jewels. Before/when you buy, check to see if the mask has been used in a ritual or ceremony. Speak to it and ask for guidance before bringing into your home. Ase’

[@ZynVad3r1]

These masks are awesome but they are probably cursed

[@africanartworldwide3575]

The mask aren’t cursed

[@ZynVad3r1]

@Mario Victor Vasconcelos it ‘‘twas a joke my dude

[@karlthemetalous3635]

​@@ZynVad3r1i thought jokes are meant to be funny

[@ZynVad3r1]

@@karlthemetalous3635 you right you right

[@ashtheviking5007]

Kind of a curse. 🤔 If you're the one that has to look at them all day. 🤭

[@Dmlaney]

looks like each one is worth about $10

[@Nonamegirl1]

Not at all dude! One mask can sell for thousands and they're beautiful given the purpose of them. It's the beauty of the art man come on.

[@akomalovelive1744]

DONT YOU JUST LUV AFRICA

[@mariomurphy7719]

No, he’s a friend who’s well traveled and spent a lot of money on those mask and a lot were his moms. Now there are cheap African mask you can find at retailers from time to time but these are the real deal, hand craved.

[@jaypaul4287]

No way, I study masks, the one with the large metal eyes comes from the Dan tribe in Liberia. It would fetch a hefty price! I saw Puno masks, and so many expensive ones, Songye, etc...

[@cubehire3653]

@@mariomurphy7719 I seek the older masks. One of my masks is 150 years old. I am a fair judge of how old and what masks cost now.