Every village has a matriarch. You know her when you see her. The Matriarch's Mask is the signature sculpture of our collection: a deceptively simple face carved down to its most essential forms. A long-horned headpiece rises above a timeless, abstract face, announcing her position and presence before she ever says a word. Small dots travel across her brow, nose, and chin. A raised band becomes her brow; a simple ridge becomes her nose. An elaborate necklace is reduced to a few bold triangles and bands framing her face—just enough to suggest the magnificent jewelry she might wear in the world of her imagination. And then she smiles. A great, enormous smile, like a shark with massive teeth. Because she is nice. She will also eat you. There is no contradiction. The Matriarch is welcoming, commanding, protective, beautiful, and just a little dangerous. She is the sort of figure who can offer you a place at the table while simultaneously making it very clear that you should probably mind your manners. Her simplicity is part of her power. Nothing is ornamental without purpose. Every line, dot, horn, and band contributes to a face that feels as though it could have existed a thousand years ago—or a thousand years from now. And then there's the secret hiding in her silhouette. Turn her to the side and the Matriarch begins to change. The face becomes a fish. Or perhaps a shark. Maybe you've been looking at both all along. That's what we love about this sculpture. It doesn't tell you exactly what you're supposed to see. It gives you just enough information for your imagination to take over. She might be an elder. A queen. A guardian. A storyteller. A creature from the deep. Or simply the woman at the head of the table who knows exactly what she's doing. The Matriarch's Mask is our signature piece because she embodies what we love about these sculptures: bold shapes, ancient-feeling character, a little humor, and enough mystery to make you look twice. She smiles. She watches. She knows. And she's probably already decided whether you're having dinner. This is a piece of magnetic art. It was hand sculpted and cast in durable urethane with a high strength magnet. It is hand painted and may differ slightly from the image above.
