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Obaa African Wall Totem Ebony

Sale price$979
Large-scale and sculptural works require more than standard shipping. To preserve the integrity of each artisan piece, our studio undertakes a specialized crating process from our hands to your home. A bespoke delivery care cost is reflected at checkout. Learn more
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Obaa African Wall Totem Ebony by Tekura is a hand-carved African home decor sculpture rooted in the Ghanaian tradition of masks as guardians of space, community, and ancestral connection. Designed for the collector who understands that the most powerful objects in a home carry meaning that runs deeper than design.

Where it lives beautifully:

  • Entryway wall: honouring the long Ghanaian tradition of the mask as guardian of a space and all who enter it
  • Living room or dining room: a commanding focal point along a feature wall
  • Paired with Obarima Mask Ebony: together they form a complete ancestral installation

In Ghanaian culture, masks represent a profound connection to the ancestral realm, embodying the spirits of ancestors and supernatural forces. They act as intermediaries  reinforcing the importance of community, tradition, and cultural continuity. Placing a mask in a space of gathering is not merely a design choice. It is an act of cultural intention.

Obaa is the female form of that intention. Carved from responsibly sourced Cedrela cedar wood, crafted in keeping with Tekura's commitment to sustainability, she stands at over six feet tall.

Faced with an aluminium facade where the relief panels carry hand-carved geometric patterns rooted in the Adinkra visual tradition of the Akan people, one of West Africa's most significant and ancient symbolic languages. Rendered in circular motifs across both panels, the carving is precise, considered, and deeply intentional. Every line is a mark of the artisan's hand.

Why You'll Love It

  • Rooted in Ghanaian cultural tradition: In Ghana, masks have long been placed in spaces of gathering as guardians, connecting to ancestry and reinforcing community and continuity.
  • Adinkra-inspired relief carving: Faced with an aluminium facade and finished in black (not distressed), the geometric patterns on the relief panels are rooted in the Adinkra visual tradition, one of the Akan people's most significant and ancient symbolic languages.
  • Hand-carved by Tekura: Each piece is carved from responsibly sourced Cedrela cedar wood, honouring both the craft and the environment.
  • Uniform ebony finish: A deep, consistent black throughout, giving Obaa a bold, architectural presence that works in any interior palette.
  • Monumental scale: At over six feet tall, the Black Mask commands a wall the way few objects can, without competing with the space around it.
  • Pairs with Obarima: Obaa is the female expression of the Black Mask. Paired with her male counterpart Obarima, they create a complete and deeply intentional installation.
  • Wall-mounted 
  • Limited availability

Product Details

  • Material: Responsibly sourced Cedrela cedar wood with aluminium relief panels
  • Artisan: Tekura Design, Ghana
  • Dimensions: 13 in W x 14.17 in D x 77.17 in H
  • Finish: Uniform black, no distressing
  • Relief pattern: Circular Adinkra-inspired geometric carving
  • Display: Wall-mounted
  • Sold: Individually
  • Origin: Ghana

Artisan Delivery & Care

Large-scale works require more than standard shipping. To preserve the integrity of your piece, each large-scale piece undergoes a specialised crating process from our studio to your home.

  • Insured Studio-to-Door Transport: full protection for your investment
  • Protective Structural Packaging: designed to maintain the finish of statement-sized works
  • International Ease: for U.S. collectors, all duties and customs are paid by us; no additional fees upon delivery
  • Seamless Arrival: arrives ready for immediate installation

Note: A bespoke artisan handling cost is reflected at checkout to ensure a secure, insured journey.

A mask placed in a space of gathering is not decoration. In the Ghanaian tradition, it is a declaration, that this space is protected, that those who gather here are held by something larger than themselves. Obaa carries that declaration into your home. Wherever people come together, she belongs.

Honour the ancestors. Guard the space. Bring Obaa home.

Hanging + Installation

The Wall Totems are hung using heavy-duty screw/wall anchor(s), available at any hardware store. Each totem has a leather loop attached to the back for hanging. We strongly recommend anchoring into a wall stud where possible using a minimum of one screw per piece, rated for at least 15 kg. For standard drywall, a toggle bolt or molly bolt with a washer is recommended. For plaster or concrete walls, use a masonry anchor and the appropriate drill bit.

Product Care

Spot clean with cold water.

Behind the Craftmanship

Tekura

Tekura is a design hub which specialises in the design and crafting of contemporary African furniture and decor. Drawing their inspiration from the many beautiful stories from Africa, they produce furniture and objects that reflect true craftsmanship and are inspired by African artistry.