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This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks.Read more
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This item is available for pre-order and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks.Read more
About
Emmanuel Nyadedzor handcrafts this set of small sese wood masks of his own original design. Each of the three wears a unique and intense facial expression, and the trio includes tribal marks and accents including a carved bird and a miniature carved face. The Ghanaian artisan names them Asempa, which means "good news" in the Akan language.
Product details
- Sese wood
- Intended as wall decor
- Features a rustic, rugged finish
- Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
- 0.26 kgs
- 0.6 lbs
- 13.5 cm H x 9.5 cm W x 3.0 cm D
- 5.25" H x 3.7" W x 1.2" D
Meet the artist
"The nicest part about my craft is seeing several carved works lying down in the workshop, I get excited to know they may all go to different places in the world."
Latest Update
“Eight years ago my dream was to be able to attain financial freedom, the type of freedom with which I could give my kids the good things they desire. Joining Novica has made my dream come true. I have been able to move from my rented house; I now live in my house with my family. I no longer have to worry about rent or a place to sleep with my family. I joined Novica in 2008.
“I now produce more goods than before, because I know I have constant customers with Novica. My scale in production increased because the demand kept growing. I also employ labor when production is at its peak; this gives the young ones the opportunity to build their work experience and learn from me. I received the best seller award from Attang (a local market that distributes our work for sales).
“My company has gained recognition for its antiqued finishing. I also made my finishing different from the others, and I was consistent with it. At that time everyone was doing a polished finish, and I was the odd one out. The market knows me for the antiqued finish.
“My goal is to have a personal shop to display only my works to the market, and to focus on making my son Rockson Nyadezor’s dream of becoming a chef come to reality. With the help of Novica customers, my two sons are now high school graduates and I believe my work will help them further their education.”
Original Artist Story
Emmanuel Nyadedzor has been working with Novica for many years. "After completing a course in auto mechanics, getting a job was difficult and neither my parents nor I could afford the high cost of the machinery I would need to set up on my own," recalls Emmanuel.
"I struggled by doing menial jobs, but I managed to save part of the little earnings I made. After some years, I had enough money to buy a small piece of land and raise a wooden store, but I didn't know what to sell. I remember one day, while standing in the shop still contemplating on what to do, I saw a young man hawking and selling carved figures. I admired this art work and so I decided to find out from how he got such items. All along I thought such art works were imported, so I was amazed when I was told they were hand-carved by local artisans!
"I became curious and wanted to know more. I gathered information on where I could see people actually carve these items. I was thrilled at the way they transformed a log of wood could be used to create such interesting and beautiful items. I wanted to be able to do it too!
"I started buying the finished pieces to sell at my shop and I happened to meet a man whose skill was in designing masks. I befriended this man and so when I'd close the shop for the day, I would walk to his workshop and observe the way he designed, and decided to by raw masks for this man to finish them for my shop.
"However, we had a strong argument and I decided I was going to design the mask all by myself. I went to the market the following day to get the raw materials I saw the friend use, and then came to try it out myself. My background in auto mechanics became very useful at this point because of my knowledge in cutting and designing of metals. I employed this skill, as well as the skill I learned from my father who was a blacksmith. My first attempt at designing a mask was appreciated by customers and this encouraged me to continue. With constant practice I entered the world of art.
"Since then, I have taught about 10 people how to design art pieces. Four of the people of them stayed on and the others have set up their own business.
"My source of inspiration has been through dreams about me carving a particular design, so when I wake up I immediately put the design on paper in order not to lose the idea.
"The nicest part about my craft is seeing several carved works lying down in the workshop, I get excited to know they may all go to different places in the world. But the most challenging part of it is trying to get a finished piece dry during the raining season.
"My dream is to expand my workshop, including building a place for my team to be able to rest."
This item was handmade in West Africa by NOVICA artisan borrowers. Kiva lenders have helped these artisans stock up on materials, buy more tools and grow their businesses.
This item qualifies for FREE SHIPPING!
- Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
- Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
![](https://www.novica.com/2015/assets/images/storycard/modal-storycard.jpg)
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
Return instructions
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 4 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
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We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
Triple 'Win' Pricing
Kiva Store offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. Fund for Kiva partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from Kiva Store to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from Kiva Store will benefit Kiva's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about Kiva's work, on About Kiva.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
Kiva Store artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. Kiva Store offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.
Turn your gift-giving into an art form with our new premium gift wrapping service!
Delivering a beautiful handmade treasure, wrapped by hand in exquisite packaging will make your gifts truly unforgettable.
Above all, it's EASY! Just select the premium gift wrapping option during checkout and we do the rest. No more last minute worries about presentation - your gifts will be the best dressed every time!
Most premium gift wrap is only $3.95 - $5.95 per item.
Triple 'Win' Pricing
Kiva Store offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. Fund for Kiva partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from Kiva Store to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from Kiva Store will benefit Kiva's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about Kiva's work, on About Kiva.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
Kiva Store artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. Kiva Store offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.