Heart of Grief Nigerian Wood Wall Mask Jewelry Holders Alok Jain presents sterling silver

Alok Jain presents sterling silver earrings crafted with ornate jali openwork

22k gold plated 925 sterling silver

Handcrafted from native raintree wood with two plastic tusks

This elegant abstracted sculpture is finished in black

Her swollen abdomen alludes to pregnancy

Heart of Grief Nigerian Wood Wall Mask Jewelry Holders Alok Jain presents sterling silverWith eyes closed, a face is filled with sorrow in this mask by Abdul Aziz Mohamadu. 'Among the Hausa people of Nigeria, such masks are given to a widow or widower,' he explains. 'They believe the spirit of the mask will give the bereaved person a large heart to deal with the pain of loss. Anytime he or she sets eyes on this mask, the grieving one will get some inner peace.' He names the piece Zurufi, a Hausa word meaning 'Deep Heart.' materials: