Carving Masks: Tribal, Ethnic & Folk Projects [Paperback]

Alan Bridgewater (Author), Gill Bridgewater (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1996

Next time you're looking for something Different from your usual practical or nostalgic carving project, turn to these fascinating, enigmatic masks, with their power to heal, curse, frighten, or trick, and their use for dancing, mourning, losing inhibitions, or preparing for war. Each of the 12 projects has been carefully researched to offer a range of carving styles. Full-color photos of the finished masks in their original authenticity are accompanied by over 200 scaled working drawings that show essential views, hands-on tool illustrations, and how-to close-ups of procedures and stages.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The Bridgewaters have been writing books on historic and ethnic woodcarving for many years (e.g., The Craft of Wood Carving, LJ 7/81), and their work is characterized by historic accuracy and fidelity to the original model. The masks in this book include a European green man and mummers' fool, as well as African, Indonesian, and Pacific Northwest Native American masks. The projects are well illustrated with grid diagrams, step-by-step instructions, and black-and-white photographs. Color photographs of finished projects are included.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Wood carving returns to its roots with the help of the Bridgewaters. A dozen masks, symbols of good or evil in different cultures, form the focus of a unique how-to book. Although the projects seem somewhat daunting, the authors downplay perceived difficulties through elaborate step-by-step (with graphs, photographs, and illustrations) instructions as well as an inviting conversational prose style. From an Alsatian flour-spout mask to the birdlike Kwakiutl face covering from northwestern North America, each receives more than its share of historical information, tips, and good woodworking advice. Some examples of their generously shared expertise include investing in a dust vacuum for the workshop, avoiding green wood, and, in their own words, "be warned--there are lots of horrible, smelly, toxic, expensive polishes out there that pretend to be beeswax." Too bad there are no references for learning the basics; the lack of project grades--beginner to advanced--also detracts from the book's appeal. Barbara Jacobs

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Sterling Pub Co Inc (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806913363
• ISBN-13: 978-0806913360
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #757,588 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, February 19, 2011

By 

Jesse Watson "Maximus" (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Carving Masks: Tribal, Ethnic & Folk Projects (Paperback)

Carving masks is a tradition across the world and something I have dabbled with on my own. This book is great and I wish that I would have had it years ago. It has tons of ideas and shows you the basics that you need to be able to create them on your own. The copy I got was a used copy from a library in England so it wasn't exactly swift in arriving, but it was worth the wait. I would highly recommend this book if you can find it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book, June 9, 2011

By 

Dallas Gypsy "Elizabeth" (Florida) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Carving Masks: Tribal, Ethnic & Folk Projects (Paperback)

Ordered this because I'm interested in building masks out of clay. Even though this book focuses on woodworking, the projects can be modified.