aesthetic decor

Christopher Nyasafo of Ghana designs this sculpture of a horseback warrior handcrafted from sese wood. Painted brown with cream accents from clay and a rustic finish, the man and horse have elongated and angular features. The man clutches the horse's reins in one hand and, with his red-tipped spear aloft in the other hand, charges into battle. This sculpture of strength and courage would make a striking addition to an office or living room.

"African women are beautiful," says Evelyn Kafui Ahianyo of her inspiration. She creates the elegant design of this sculpture, which she names "Detugbi," meaning "Lady" in the Ewe a dialect spoken by the Anlo tribe of Ghana in the Volta region. The sculpture is carved by hand featuring outspread hands, a small waist and large thighs. She wears glass bead earrings on red cotton threads. The sculpture is adorned with ornate aluminum plates

Named Obaa Sima in the Akan language, this abstract sculpture depicts the bust of a virtuous woman. Rita Addo Zakour designs this feminine image, which is hand-carved from natural teak wood. An African cotton print head scarf crowns the elegant sculpture.

The Oduro (or brown) mask represents the powerful male king, a figure who embodies many of the ideal traits for a ruler deemed necessary by the traditional society of Ghana. Traditionally, the shape of rings or links, such as those in Oduro’s right ear, are associated with spirituality, linking the spirit with the physical. King Oduro was known for his refined ability to heal both physical and spiritual sickness. Oduro’s large eyes seem to recall his visionary stature, which, in combination with his parted lips, suggests a willingness to speak on behalf of his ideals. K. Baka injects fiery life into this cultural figure through warm yellow and red tones. A lovely batik on cotton, this piece is rich in cultural significance and aesthethic appeal.

The piece is created from cotton cloth and vegetative dyes and may be cared for by washing in cool water, using mild soaps or detergents.

Atop a traditional African throne stool, two long horns cross each other. Ghanaian artisan Winfred Korley creates this cultural wall sculpture, which is hand-carved from a single piece of sese wood. The throne stool is painted with a metallic gold finish while the horns feature a rustic aesthetic.