Coffee mug or cup, black Wanyugo mask-helmet with boxy muzzle

A head that brings together the most fearsome animals to protect the community.

On the white porcelain, the mask is drawn in black and grey, placed on the side of the mug or coffee cup. The coffee cup saucer is encircled by concentric black stripes, like a discreet ring around the piece. This creation is our tribute to the Wanyugo headdress, a Senufo name from Côte d’Ivoire.

🎭 The story of the motif

Worn at funerals by an anonymous initiate, the Wanyugo, a Senufo name from Côte d’Ivoire, brings together the most fearsome animals in a single head to protect the community.

• Wanyugo (Côte d’Ivoire, Senufo): a headdress carved from a single piece, which brings together crocodile jaws, warthog tusks, and antelope horns.

✨ What the motif tells

This mask is associated with protection: it drives away evil spirits and helps the deceased join the world of the ancestors. It is also linked to justice, as it is renowned for appeasing violence. A gift that carries this dual intention of protection and appeasement finds its place in moments when you wish to surround someone with care.

Our reinterpretation

On this piece, the motif leaves the mask to rest on the side, in black and grey on white porcelain, while the coffee cup saucer takes on concentric black stripes. The mask depicted is the black Wanyugo with a box-like mouth. It is seen in profile, in deep black: a rectangular mouth wide open like a box, aligned fangs, two long tapered horns pointing backward, and a small sculpted crest on the forehead. The pieces are decorated to order in our workshop in Alfortville, with the motif prepared, applied, and glazed by hand before firing.

At your table

At coffee time, on a light linen tablecloth, the soft light brings out the black and grey of the design; the table brings together a few loved ones around a quiet moment. Given to someone going through an important transition, this piece recalls the protection and appeasement associated with this mask.

Characteristics

• Contents: 1 mug, or 1 coffee cup with saucer, your choice.
• Colors: black, grey, white.
• Material: porcelain.
• Mug dimensions: Ø 8 cm, height 9.1 cm, 30 cl.
• Coffee cup dimensions: 9 cl, saucer Ø 12 cm.
• Personalization: colors, first name, date, or message upon request; mug or coffee cup of your choice; mask of your choice from hundreds of African-inspired models, drawn from authentic representations preserved in museums, coming from all countries of Africa: according to what touches or marks the person.
• In case of breakage: replacement of the individual piece is possible (same motif, same dimensions), as long as the shape remains in the catalog.
• In the same motif: mug or coffee cup.

To give a piece that carries this protection and appeasement, write to us and personalize your mug or cup.