The mask is one of the most distinctive features of African art. Beginning in the early 20th century, African craftspeople began to manufacture masks in large numbers to sell to tourists. Prior to this, masks were created for use within religious and social ceremonies, and had little significance outside of these contexts. Collectors value older masks that were made prior to the influx of tourism to Africa, because these are seen as more "authentic" than masks that were created for sale.
Many of the masks seen in Africa are made of carved wood. The practice of wood carving also extends to sculpture, furniture, household implements and ceremonial objects. Africa is home to large tropical rainforests that feature many species of hard, close-grained, tropical wood. African artists take advantage of these woods, which are ideal for carving, to create detailed and durable works of art. In traditional African culture, as is the case with most traditional cultures, the barrier that exists in the modern world between functional objects and art was not present. Aesthetic expression was an integral part of tools and utilitarian items.
African pottery was traditionally created for the purpose of holding liquids and grains. In some of the more arid parts of Africa, the storage of water was important for survival. This didn't stop the creators of pottery from developing the craft into an aesthetic expression as well as a utilitarian pursuit. Due to the inherent fragility of pottery, few examples of ancient pottery survive, but it continues to be produced both for utilitarian purposes and for collectors. African pottery is characterized by dramatic shapes, earth tones of black, tan, brown and ochre and surface decoration that serves both symbolic and aesthetic purposes.
The craft of weaving has a long history in Africa. African weavers use the surface of textiles to express their love of bright colors and vibrant designs. These lively textiles are then woven into clothing that turns any gathering of African women into a riot of color. African textiles favor hard lines, geometric repetition and abstraction.