Bird Spirit Mask - Handwoven Emberá Wall Art
Close-up detail of rose-pink concentric beadwork and brown beaded beak on Emberá bird mask
Emberá bird spirit mask angled view showing shaggy grey raffia and pink beaded face disc, palm fiber art
Handwoven Emberá bird mask, grey-and-white raffia plumage with rose-pink beaded face and coppery beak, Panama
Bird Spirit Mask - Handwoven Emberá Wall Art
Close-up detail of rose-pink concentric beadwork and brown beaded beak on Emberá bird mask
Emberá bird spirit mask angled view showing shaggy grey raffia and pink beaded face disc, palm fiber art
Handwoven Emberá bird mask, grey-and-white raffia plumage with rose-pink beaded face and coppery beak, Panama

Bird Spirit Mask - Handwoven Emberá Wall Art

SPM-3741

Handwoven by the Embera |★★★★★

Winged Spirit of the Darién

This small handwoven bird spirit mask has a soft, fledgling charm — a coat of grey-and-white shaggy raffia surrounds a rose-pink beaded face disc woven in fine concentric rings, with a coppery-brown beaded beak and an eye ringed in white. Shaped by hand by Emberá artisan Ana María, it carries the quiet, watchful presence of a young forest bird, a form that in Emberá tradition links the living world with the world of spirit.

Created with traditional Emberá weaving techniques passed through generations, the mask is built from hand-split palm fibers dyed with plant-based pigments and woven through a meticulous coiling process. The beaded face, beak, and dimensional contours are formed through fiber and bead placement rather than carving, requiring patient, precise handwork to achieve balance, symmetry, and sculptural depth.

Handwoven by Ana María, Emberá artisan, Panama.


Details

Dimensions: Approx. 9″ L × 8″ W × 7″ H (23 × 20 × 18 cm)
Material: Palm fiber, natural plant-based dyes
Origin: Handwoven in Darién Province, Panama by Emberá artisans
Weaver: Ana María, Emberá
Edition: One of one · SKU SPM-3741


Works as a statement on a flat surface, bookshelf, or grouped with other Emberá masks for a gallery effect. Display away from direct sunlight — natural plant dyes, particularly the deep blacks and reds, are sensitive to prolonged UV exposure.


Sourced directly from Emberá weavers in Panama’s Darién rainforest — purchased at fair prices from the artisans who make them, with no intermediaries.

Learn about Emberá woven art →

$120.00
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Shipping calculated at checkout.
  • Approx. 9″ L × 8″ W × 7″ H (23 × 20 × 18 cm)
  • One-of-a-kind handwoven figure
  • 1000's of stitches over weeks & months
  • Traditional Embera weaving artistry
Free Returns 14 Days
Artisan Made Direct from Community
Trusted Since 2000 25+ Years

Handwoven in panama by

Emberá Tribe Craftsmen

No. of Artisans

dozens of artists across multiple communities

Origin

Rainforests of eastern Panama and northwestern Colombia


Fairly Made. Community Driven.

Each Embera Animal mask is purchased directly from the artist at fair prices that support families, preserve tradition, and sustain local economies.

In the forest communities of Panama and Colombia, Emberá artisans create expressive woven masks inspired by the animals, spirits, and stories of the rainforest.

Using the same finely shredded palm fibers and natural vegetal dyes found in traditional Wounaan baskets, each mask is carefully shaped and woven entirely by hand.

These striking pieces transform traditional basketry techniques into sculptural forms, preserving a distinctive tradition of Indigenous woven art.

The Story

In the rainforests of Panama’s Darién region, women of the Emberá tribe weave animal masks by hand from dyed, split palm fibers. Traditionally used by shamans in healing and cleansing rituals, the masks were displayed in ceremonial huts and often burned after the ceremony.

Today, Emberá artists continue this tradition, weaving masks for both ritual use and collectors while preserving the techniques and symbolism of this ancestral art.

Dyes Sourced from Nature

Liana Vine

Gathered from the rainforest canopy.

Trumpet Vine

Wild blossoms turned natural dye

Saffron

Golden pigment from delicate threads

The Making

Embera animal masks are meticulously handwoven from the inner fibers of the Chunga palm, carefully split and prepared into fine strands. Using natural dyes made from rainforest seeds, roots, and leaves, artisans create the brilliant colors that define these handmade masks.

Each Embera mask reflects ancestral weaving traditions and often depicts rainforest animals in striking detail—hummingbirds, jaguars, owls, and more. Depending on size and complexity, a mask can take weeks or even months to complete, making every woven Embera animal mask a one-of-a-kind piece of indigenous art.

FAQ's

Embera masks are handwoven masks created by Indigenous Embera artisans in the rainforest regions of Panama, particularly in the Darién. Using fibers gathered from the forest, artists weave expressive animal forms inspired by the wildlife around them. Each Embera mask is made entirely by hand, making every piece a one-of-a-kind example of Indigenous woven art.

Traditional Embera masks are woven from chunga palm fiber, a rainforest plant that is harvested, split into fine strands, and dyed before weaving. The fibers are carefully shaped and woven to form animals such as birds, frogs, monkeys, and jaguars. Chunga palm is both flexible and durable, which allows artisans to create the intricate textures and sculptural forms that make Embera masks so distinctive.

Authentic Embera masks show the detail and variation that comes from hand weaving. When you look closely, you will notice fine stitching, natural fibers, and subtle differences in shape or pattern that reveal the hand of the artisan. Genuine masks are woven from chunga palm fiber by Embera artists using traditional techniques passed down through generations.

Collectors value Embera masks for their craftsmanship and storytelling. The woven animal forms reflect the wildlife of Panama’s rainforest and the artistic traditions of the Embera people. Because each mask is handmade and no two are exactly alike, many collectors and interior designers display them as woven sculptures or Indigenous wall art.

Embera masks are most often displayed as handwoven wall art. Some collectors hang a single mask as a focal point, while others create a gallery arrangement of several masks to highlight different animal forms and weaving styles. Their sculptural shapes and natural fibers add texture, character, and a sense of global craftsmanship to a space.

Free shipping within the continental US. Contact us for shipping outside the US at jen@woven.art, and we will offer options.

Free pre-paid returns with 14 days. Love it or return it with no obligation.

Each piece is handwoven over many months using natural fibers and plant-based dyes, reflecting the traditions of skilled artisans. To preserve the color and structure of your handwoven basket or woven art, display it away from direct sunlight or skylights, as prolonged UV exposure can fade natural dyes and weaken fibers over time.

In very dry climates, you may occasionally mist the inside lightly with distilled or non-chlorinated water, similar to caring for wicker or rattan. Gently blot away any excess with a paper towel to help maintain the fiber’s natural balance and long-term durability.

With proper care, artisan woven baskets made from natural materials can retain their beauty and strength for many years.

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