How to Display African Masks at Home

A carved mask can change a room more than almost any other object. Masks were made to be seen in motion, at a performance, so at home the goal is to give each one space, light and a safe spot. These seven tips work for a single mask or a whole wall.

1. Choose wall or stand

Face masks and flat masks usually look best on the wall. Helmet masks and headdresses, which sit over or on top of the head, show their shape better on a stand where you can see them from several sides.

2. Hang at eye level

Hang the center of the mask at about eye level, 57 to 60 inches from the floor, the height galleries use. Over a sofa or console, leave 8 to 10 inches between the furniture and the bottom of the mask.

3. Use a safe mount

Never drive a nail through the mask itself. Use the existing hanging loop if it is sound, or a small padded metal bracket or custom mount that holds the mask without pressing on thin edges. For heavy masks, screw into a stud or use a rated wall anchor.

4. Group with care

A group of three to five masks reads as one display. Mix sizes, keep similar spacing between them, and lay them out on the floor first to test the arrangement.

5. Light from the side

A small spotlight angled from above and to one side brings out carved features and surface texture. Avoid placing masks in direct sunlight, which fades pigment and dries wood.

6. Keep away from heat and damp

Keep masks away from radiators, vents and fireplaces, and out of damp basements. Steady room conditions help prevent cracks in old wood.

7. Clean gently

Dust with a soft, dry brush. Do not oil, polish or wash a mask: the original surface, worn by age and use, is part of its value.

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