Songye Kifwebe Craftsmen

A large Scale Male Songye Kifwebe or Mask

Early 20th century zoomorphic African puppet head sculpture from the Bozo tribe in Mali. This puppet head would have been used by the Bozo ethnic group during the Sogobo ceremony. This ancestral tradition continues in the region of Segou in Mali along the Niger river. It is an opportunity to regroup the different villages and give rise to musical and theatrical performances whose highlight is the puppet show...

Imposing and very large scale mixed media 'assemblage' by French artist Armand Avril. The work includes the French tricolour flag, figures and heads in various poses, his symbolic cat sculptures and large stylised poppies. The work is not signed but comes with a certificate of authenticity from the artist. This montage fully demonstrates Avril's inspiration drawn from tribal art whilst also expressing the humour and joy that he puts into all his work. A very strong sculptural image and a feast for the eyes in searching for and recognising the everyday objects used in making this piece come alive. This montage is made from wood pieces, bottle tops, string, paint, cork, nails buttons, clothes pegs and netting. The more sculpted areas of the piece stand out up to 4cm from the frame. Armand Avril was born in 1926 in Lyon. His father, Marcel Avril was a painter and collector of African art. At 16 Armand became an apprentice shepherd in Provence. Avril could always be seen equipped with a sketchbook and a book on the history of art whilst tending his flock. It was not until the age of 30, in 1956, that Armand embarked on painting as an autodidact, influenced by Raoul Dufy, Pierre Bonnard, Henri Matisse and the Lyonnaise School of Painting. He exhibited for the first time in 1957. In 1960, he left for a one-year trip to Africa. There he met the painter Jean Arène who introduced him to the village of Cotignac in the Var and to Louis Pons...

A large scale and beautifully carved wooden ceremonial mask from Cameroon. There are traces of colour and decoration to the surface and the mask has a magnificent patina giving it a wonderful presence as a sculptural object. The Batcham Mask or simply the Batcham originated in western Cameroon although its name refers to the place where it was first found: Batcham. This is a ceremonial mask from the Bamileke culture in the western Grasslands of Cameroon. This tall crest (76 cm in height) has clearly defined features, a powerful yet calm visage, sharply chiselled diamond and triangular furrows, and nearly perfect symmetry. Such painstaking craftsmanship underscores the sophistication and control of the sculptor in preparing this ceremonial piece. It shares the elements of Batcham masks including: The general morphology is built on two axes: a symmetrical vertical axis with chiseled furrows, stylized eyes, lips, nostrils, mouth and teeth; a horizontal axis presenting swollen cheeks, an ovular mouth showing multiple teeth, and triangular ears supported on a hollow cylindrical base. One interpretation is that the masks depict a hippopotamus emerging from watery depths, conveying nature’s power conferred to enthroned royalty. The Batcham mask represents the pi, or double animal of a great dignitary of the kingdom. It was used by a great dignitary of the Msop society who intervened only on rare occasions: during the funeral and enthronement of the king and the nine notables, and to perform the Royal Tso dance, elephant dance...

A Songye Male Power Figure, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the male figure with openwork arms and hands resting on the abdomen, typical facial features and a waterbuck (kobus elli...

A Songye Male Power Figure, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the male figure resting on one knee, with openwork arms and hands resting by the abdomen which contains various charms a...

Gaugin inspired 21st Century montage titled 'Manau Tupapau' (spirit of the dead watching) by French artist, Armand Avril. Mounted and presented in a custom built painted tray frame and signed and dated 2004 both front and back with a later sketch of his favourite dog Dimar in repose to the reverse. This montage fully demonstrates Avril's inspiration drawn from tribal art and Gaugin's famous painting of a Tahitian nude whilst also expressing the humour and joy that he puts into all his work. A very strong sculptural image and a feast for the eyes in searching for and recognising the materials used in making this piece come alive. This montage is made from carved wood pieces, paint, clothespegs and cardboard . Armand Avril was born in 1926 in Lyon. His father, Marcel Avril was a painter and collector of African art. At 16 Armand became an apprentice shepherd in Provence. Avril could always be seen equipped with a sketchbook and a book on the history of art whilst tending his flock. It was not until the age of 30, in 1956, that Armand embarked on painting as an autodidact, influenced by Raoul Dufy, Pierre Bonnard, Henri Matisse and the Lyonnaise School of Painting. He exhibited for the first time in 1957. In 1960, he left for a one-year trip to Africa. There he met the painter Jean Arène who introduced him to the village of Cotignac in the Var and to Louis Pons...

Rare African art mask in carved wood from the Ivory Coast or Liberia 20th Century. This mask is carved in wood, representing female face in painted ca...

Rare African art mask in carved wood from the Ivory Coast or Liberia 20th Century. This mask is carved in wood, representing female face in painted ca...

An impressive African wooden statue figurine sculpture by Tutsti tribe artist Ndatite Ilo from Rwanda. Featuring a lovely black woman, sort of Madonna, carrying a baby in her arms. S...

Antique Indonesian Horse, yellow, red, sculpture, free-standing, vintage, walking Some wear on paint and crack that has been repaired.

"Bambara Queen, Rep. Mali" is a carved wood sculpture with abstracted human and animal figures. 20" x 6" x 3" The Bambara are a Mande ethnic group native to West Africa, primarily ...

"Secret Society Mask-Sierra Leone W. Africa," is a wood sculpture of a woman's head. The hair has been sculpted with intricate detail, and metal hair adornments...