Handwoven Emberá spirit face mask in pale fiber with a dark crest and red mouth, from Panama
Emberá spirit face mask alternate view, Darién Panama
Emberá spirit face mask styled as wall art in a room setting
Detail of the woven face and red mouth on an Emberá spirit mask
Embera woman with body paint weaving while seated in an open thatched hut
Embera woman in beaded necklaces stitching a small colorful woven basket
Handwoven Emberá spirit face mask in pale fiber with a dark crest and red mouth, from Panama
Emberá spirit face mask alternate view, Darién Panama
Emberá spirit face mask styled as wall art in a room setting
Detail of the woven face and red mouth on an Emberá spirit mask
Embera woman with body paint weaving while seated in an open thatched hut
Embera woman in beaded necklaces stitching a small colorful woven basket

Spirit Face Mask - Handwoven Emberá Wall Art

SPM-3710

Handwoven by the Embera |★★★★★

A Face from the Living Forest

A serene human face woven in pale fiber, framed by a dark crest of hair and marked with a red mouth and a defined chin showing traditional chin tattoos. One of one.

The Story

A serene human face woven in pale fiber, framed by a dark crest of hair and marked with a red mouth and a defined chin showing traditional chin tattoos. Alongside their animals, the Emberá render spirit faces, quiet presences that watch over the rainforest world.

Made using traditional Emberá weaving techniques passed down through generations, the mask is formed from sustainably harvested palm fibers that are hand-split, naturally dyed with plant-based pigments, and built through a dense coiling process that creates structure and expression at once. Its sculptural contours emerge entirely through fiber placement and tension control, holding their form without internal support.

I found Emberá masks on a basket-buying trip to Panama and loved them on sight: whimsical, playful, the opposite of a scary ethnic mask. Sweet enough for a nursery.


Wall-mounted or displayed on a stand. Works as a solo statement above a sofa or in an entryway, 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.


RFB buys directly from the weavers themselves and through their cooperative and tribal representatives, so each piece comes with its story intact.

Learn about Emberá woven art →

Care: Dust with a soft dry cloth; keep away from direct sunlight and moisture
Shipping: Free within the continental US · ships in 1–3 business days
Returns: 14-day returns in original condition

Details

Dimensions: Approx. 6″ W × 7″ H × 3″ D (15 × 18 × 8 cm)
Material: Palm fiber, natural plant-based dyes
Origin: Handwoven in Darién Province, Panama by Emberá artisans
Weaver: Emberá weavers, Darién
Edition: One of one · SKU SPM-3710

Care & Shipping

Care: Dust with a soft, dry cloth; keep away from direct sunlight and moisture.
Shipping: Free within the continental US; ships in 1–3 business days.
Returns: 14-day returns in original condition.

Sold

This piece has found its home. Every RFB piece is one of one and is never restocked. See similar available pieces →

$120.00
/
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Free Returns 14 Days
Artisan Made Direct from Community
Trusted Since 2000 25+ Years

Handwoven in panama by

Emberá Tribe Craftsmen

Artist from the Emberá community

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

Dried pucham leaves tipped into a dye pot over an open fire

Pucham

Trumpet-flower vine. Fresh leaves give green, dried leaves give red.

A weaver working ground turmeric into a basin of chunga fiber

Asafrán

Turmeric root, grated and pounded for a sun-bright yellow.

Spiny achiote pods opened to show the red annatto seeds inside

Achiote

Annatto seed, for the most saturated orange in the palette.

Cocobolo wood grain in deep red and brown

Cocobolo

Rosewood shavings boiled down to brown. Mud takes it to black.

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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