I wanted to start out the new year by showing all of the toys I had gotten from Lekki market. Unfortunately, I dont actually own any of these anymore...they were all Christmas presents. Yes, they are all sideways, but at least you can still see them!
These three masks represent the three major tribes in Lagos, Nigeria. My brother-in-law Paul, is now the proud owner of these bad boys. I bought them at the mini-Lekki market the school sponsored during Nigerian Culture Day.
These three are the same as Paul's but finished in a black shoe polish, typical of the carvers here. I got these from Segun, my favorite carver at Lekki market. My other brother-in-law received these.
Ok, I lied. This one I have kept for myself. Its a Ghanaian mask and I love it. The size is impressive as well, its about a foot and a half in diameter. Its done on ragular carved wood and has a pounded tin overlay. My favorite is the carved tongue which is carved all the way through the mask.
This little beauty is a leather box about 12x5x7 inches. Dad asked for it specifically and it was one of the more expensive and hard to get items at Lekki. In fact, I actually asked a man in his booth whether he had a box big enough and in true Lagos fashion, he dashed off to who knows where. After about three minutes he showed up with a box he mysteriously got from someone else's booth. I paid him and truly hope he paid whoever he took the box from. Who knows.
These next two are also mine. I loved them so much when I saw them hanging in the booth. They are Festac masks and have intricate details on both. They are made from King Ebony wood which has natural black knots in the wood. Both have an intense coloration in the faces. The Festac masks are copies of one of the oldest masks found in Nigeria. The original was made from brass and was commissioned for Queen Idia by her son the Oba, King of Benin in the 16th Century.
Now these two masks were for Daddy. He wanted colorful masks. I had to search high and low for unique and classy looking colorful masks. I believe these are Igbo masks, one is a woman and the other is a man. They have gold-colored metal in-layed and the color comes from bead work.
Now this was a special gift for my aunt and uncle that I was assigned to get. It is a monkey in the very Lagos hear, see and speak no evil. Most of them, however, are single monkeys that sell as a set. This was the only one of its kind and by my favorite carver Segun, again. I love it and the detail is amazing.
This is Amelia's but that is on the down low. She wont get them till June, when I come home. She asked for some drums and this is one of the nicest ones I have found. Its very authentic....even down to some hair still left on stretched leather.
If anyone wants toys before I come home for good in June, you need to email me. I am happy to pick up whatever....especially if you are willing to love it regardless of what I actually buy. Thank you to everyone I saw at home! My trip was amazing and I am excited to come back and finish things so I can come home for good!
