How to Care for and Display African Wood Sculpture: the Basics for Collectors

A Baoulé figure, a Dan mask or a new workshop piece brought back from Côte d'Ivoire (in West Africa, French-speaking, the world's largest cocoa producer) is made of wood, a material that seems almost alive. Wood absorbs and releases moisture with its surroundings, and its surface coatings, patina and added ornaments are fragile. The basic principles set out by museum conservation specialists are ones ordinary collectors can follow at home.

Temperature and humidity: stability matters more than numbers

The Western Australian Museum's conservation manual recommends keeping the relative humidity around wooden objects between 40% and 60%, with no more than 5% variation within 24 hours; relative humidity below 65% helps prevent mould. The recommended temperature is 15–25°C, with no more than 4°C variation within 24 hours. New Zealand's Te Papa museum likewise stresses keeping temperature and humidity as stable as possible, because repeated swelling and shrinking can cause cracking, warping and even breakage.

The same manual also advises that when an object moves between regions with very different humidity, it needs time to acclimatise gradually. For a carving shipped from West Africa to Asia, it is worth keeping it first in a room with relatively stable temperature and humidity before putting it on display.

Light and placement

The Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) also recommends, for wooden masks: use blinds or curtains to block direct sunlight; do not hang them in narrow corridors where they can easily be knocked; and avoid attics, basements, garages and other places where temperature and humidity fluctuate widely.

Dusting and cleaning: less is more

The CCI recommends gently brushing dust away with a soft paintbrush while catching it with a vacuum cleaner whose nozzle is first covered with netting or cotton cloth, so that no fragments are sucked in. Do not apply oil or wax to the wood, as over time this can discolour and become sticky; nor use water, which can leave whitish, cloudy marks. Do not remove added ornaments such as feathers, hair or bark, and take particular care when handling them. Te Papa likewise advises against oiling wood.

Pests and handling

Check regularly for small holes left by wood-boring insects, or for sawdust-like powder (frass) collecting beneath the object. The CCI advises that if you find an infestation, you should first isolate the object and wrap it in plastic, then consult a professional conservator.

When handling, the CCI recommends holding the main body of the wood rather than the added ornaments, and removing rings, bracelets and watches first. Opinions differ between museums on whether to wear gloves: Te Papa recommends gloves, but clean bare hands when an object is very heavy; the Western Australian Museum considers that gloves increase the risk of slipping. Heavier figures should be carried by two people, with the route cleared beforehand. For larger collections, Te Papa recommends placing objects on shelves or pallets rather than directly on the floor, in case of flooding; wood also burns easily, so fire planning is best done at the same time. The Western Australian Museum adds a reminder not to eat or drink near wooden artefacts, and not to put historically valuable objects to practical use.

In addition, the CCI points out that some masks hold special meaning in their communities of origin, and the wishes of those source communities regarding conservation, display and use should be respected; to learn more about older pieces, you can consult a museum.

One line for Asian collectors

Wherever you live, stable temperature and humidity matter more than any care product; when you encounter cracking, pests or anything needing repair, leave it to a professional conservator rather than doing it yourself.

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References: Western Australian Museum – Preventive Conservation; Canadian Conservation Institute – Basic care: Wooden masks; Te Papa – How to care for wooden objects