The highlight of my recent buying trip to New York was discovering a Native African supplier. While it would be amazing to bring back a full container of goods, that’s beyond Soobaak’s current scale. For now, our selection will include some vintage textiles and curated objects like this mask, carefully filtered through Soobaak’s lens.
I have a heartwarming story from the buying process. I was so captivated by the Native African items that I selected them with reckless enthusiasm—only to realize I was about $1,200 short in cash. I asked the vendor if I could send the remaining amount later from Korea. To my surprise, he agreed without hesitation, trusting me with such a significant amount. I believe this trust stems from the credibility built by my past dealings with other Korean partners. It’s truly gratifying to feel that kind of recognition and trust.
At Soobaak, we like to balance spaces with a mix of products, artworks, and crafts—roughly in a 5:3:2 ratio. This balance keeps the space from feeling too predictable, adds just the right amount of commercial appeal, and creates warmth.
This Native African mask fits perfectly into the craft category. When selecting craft items, I lean towards pieces with a hint of modern DNA rather than something entirely traditional. This allows them to blend seamlessly with the furniture and artworks I already have.
This particular mask was traditionally worn by men during festivals, funerals, or when welcoming esteemed guests. As with many objects of this kind, its symbolism revolves around prosperity and protection. The horns and teeth signify a fierce determination to safeguard their people.
I had seen similar masks during visits to inspiring spaces, so when I spotted this one in New York, I didn’t hesitate to bring it back. Isn’t it just adorable? I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Thank you, as always, for your support.
🍉 Antique Native African Wooden Mask
🍉 Face only: Width 22.5cm | Height 25cm
🍉 Including horns: Width 22.5cm | Height 40cm
🍉 600,000 KRWFun Fact: A similar piece was auctioned at Sotheby’s in 2008 for $10,755 (approx. 14.5 million KRW).
P.S. The last photo is from a select shop in Osaka.
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