African Folk Art

Two old Kuba cloths - a type of raffia cloth made from woven natural palm leaf fibers unique to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa. Previously one long cloth measuring 206...

Fine Kuba Palm wine cup This finely carved cup with geometric pattern Such cups would have been used at celebratory rituals and wedding feasts. Period: early 20th century Meas...

19th Century thick black hide circular shield from the Arrusi people of Ethiopia, Africa. A thick hard shield with heavy embossed design, perhaps a bit like an animal in the center....

Truly a majestic Benin Oba. Beautifully and finely hand carved in Ebony hardwood from the 1930's A piece of this quality and stature holds enormous presence...

A finely carved decorated headrest with solid hourglass shaped base, attached decorations of seed pods shell and beads. Fine worn patina. Created by the Tsonga peoples of South Afr...

Early 20th century pair of cast copper alloy bracelets West Africa. Beautiful cast geometric raised design around outside with fine incised lines at edges, smooth from wear inside. R...

A striking African pedestal drum attributed to the Kuba peoples of the Kasai region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dating from the first half of the 20th century. Carved f...

Old Used African carved wood Mbira or Sanza Finger Piano made of wood and metal from the Luba people of Congo, with projecting head. Nice shape with projecting detailed head at top,...

Yoruba male figure, rare example dressed in old cowrie covered cloak. an Ibeji or twin figure, rare example dressed in old cowrie covered cloak, Nigeria, Africa, well loved with very...

A scarce antique African tribal carved Hemba helmet mask, the Suku peoples, possibly Kwese culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa, early 20th century, surmounted by four-legged animal, over round face, with mouth ajar and incised jagged teeth exposed, protruding almond shaped eyes, scattered remnants of pigment, full raffia fiber fringe, mounted on wood stand. A superb museum quality example, this remarkable tribal folk art sculpture is a wonderful way to add rustic warmth, rich historical depth, and fascinating cultural interest to any space! Dimensions: (approx) Overall: 26" High, 9" Wide, 10.25" Deep; Mask only: 15" Tall; 7 lbs total Provenance / Acquisition: Acquired from the highly reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, est.1983, Austin, Texas. Excellent Condition: Nicely aged distressed patina over the whole. Highly desirable wear consistent with age and indicative of use, including scattered losses, antique character marks and typical signs of aging throughout. Retaining scattered remnants of original pigment. Overall a superb museum quality example Primitive Arts Of Africa: Among the Suku of the southwestern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, masks plays crucial role in protecting boys during initiation, the vulnerable period between boyhood and manhood. The power contained in Hemba masks...

Yoruba weathered and worn old female figure, an Ibeji or twin figure, Nigeria, Africa, well loved heavy patina. Strong face with open eyes, domed hat or hair style with carved decora...

Primitive wood carving torso with phallus (like a body mask, though no displaying hole), originally flown out from a collector of African tribal art in Japan, though its details unkn...

A rare small pair of Ibeji figures from Oshogbo region Nigeria A diminutive male and female pair with brown patination Fine carvings from early 20th century Provenance: uk C...

Congo African Iron Sword, on stand with finely carved wood hilt, leaf shaped blade A forged iron sword with hammered leaf shaped blade, old, oxidiz...

Late 19th century Igbo-Ukwu bronze statue from Nigeria. Cire perdue technique.

Yoruba female figure, an Ibeji or twin figure, Nigeria, Africa, well loved with very worn face, large eyes. A finely carved Yoruba female Ibeji figure with pointed headdress, large ...

A large, rare, and most impressive antique hand carved and painted wood and metal stylized antelope African folk art sculpture with beautifully aged distressed patina. Handmade in East Africa, dating to around the late 19th / early 20th century, possibly earlier, this scarce, one-of-a-kind, museum quality work, features a richly detailed patinated bronze head and tail with etched textural elements, tall ears and faux ringed...

The striking god of the underworld is here depicted mummiform with his arms folded on his chest, wearing the plumed atef-crown and frontal uraeus. His solemn face is adorned by a lo...

Named the ‘Bowl of the Traitor’ by German Egyptologist Hermann Schlögl, this finely inscribed fragment from a ritual vessel is believed to have belonged to Udjahorresnet, one of the ...

Kuba (Bushong) Raffia Fiber Textile Panel From Woman’s Skirt The Bushong people are one of the largest and most dominant ethnic groups within the Kuba Kingdom in the DR Congo, and h...

A deeply rare and authentic Early 20th-century ritual artifact from West Africa: a Bamana (Bambara) Boli power object from Mali, featuring original sacrificial feathers attached to i...

"Carved Drum (ngoma) – Luba-maniema / Zela, Democratic Republic Of Congo" Carved Drum (Ngoma) – Luba-Maniema / Zela, Democratic Republic of Congo Wood, hide Height: 34 cm A finely c...

The African wood female bust figurative sculpture of a Mandinka woman is a striking piece of art that encapsulates the cultural heritage and craftsmanship of West Africa. Hand-carved...

Leather Shield, South Sudan A small leather shield typical of the region known as an upwal, concave hide is attached to a reed spine with plaiting to form a strong grip. Mounted on ...

A mud cloth (Bogolanfini), Mali, Bamana People mid-20th century. Hand woven 'discharge dyed' cotton Approximately 71 x 52 in. (180cm. x 132cm.) A dazzling geometric pattern...

Very rare African Dagara mask Ngbaka people. Africa, Congo, early to mid 20th century A beautiful early to mid 20th century African so called 'Dagara’ mask from the Ngbaka and Mbanj...

This wood bowl from the Tuareg tribe in Mali has a quiet, grounded presence, shaped by hand and time. Its softly rounded form is animated by incised geometric bands that circle the vessel, the repeating lines and crosshatched motifs catching light and shadow as the surface curves inward. The dark, earthen patina suggests long use and careful handling, giving the bowl a sense of history and intimacy. Subtle variations in tone and texture reveal the maker’s touch, where utility and ornament are inseparable. Today, bowls like this are often appreciated as decorative objects rather than everyday wares. They are used as sculptural accents on shelves or tables, as containers for dried botanicals or found objects, or simply displayed on their own to highlight their craftsmanship. In contemporary interiors, they bring warmth, material depth, and a connection to African artisanal traditions, bridging past function with present-day aesthetic appreciation. African Wooden Bowl...

SENOUFO, Ivory Coast. "Deblé” Carved and scarified wood, black patina. Standing female statue, hands on hips. Early 20th century Dimensions: 35cm high, 7.5 cm depth, 9cm width

This African bronze currency forms an incomplete circle, its open ends leaning toward one another like a conversation paused mid-breath. The su...

Geometric Barmbara Sukuru Animal Mask with horns, teeth, from Mali, West Africa. Inserted wood teeth, abstract face with open eyes, with raised eyebrows and framed face. Old native...

Ancient Cubist Kuba Dance Mask Black Patina, Cone Shaped Eyes, from the Congo, Africa. It is in good condition with wear, polish and erosion from traditional use, appropriate for it...

This old mask has a custom made stand and was used in initiation ceremonies. Lega masks always have special facial shapes. It is from one piece of wood cut and has beautiful geometri...

Set of two Moroccan brass Berber tribal sugar hammer. Moroccan Collectible Brass Berber Sugar Hammer,Brass Berber Tribal Sugar Hammer. Authentic old Tuare...

Matching rare pair of male twin figures "Ibeji" from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, Africa, created in the early 20th century. remains of Reckitts blue (laundry bleach) bluing in hai...

Bring a piece of African heritage into your space with this authentic vintage Katanda mask from the Lega people of DR Congo. Hand-carved in the mid-20th century, this tribal mask is ...

Hand carved ebony hardwood bust of a young Benin warrior Traditionally carved Benin artistry Circa 1970 Height 10.75 inch, Width 5.5 inch, Depth 2.75 inc...

This lovely round topped stele is sculpted in shallow sunk relief, with a lunette featuring two facing jackal deities on shrines, and a Shen ring in between. The three rows of hierog...

Large African Tuareg hand tooled leather pillow. Great colors, hand painted with tribal geometric design with long leather fringes on each side. Handcrafted in Africa with pieces of ...

African Namibian Ovambo carved wooden mask with carved diamond and geometric designs with accents painted in black and red.

Old and well used Luba wood medicine mortar with classic carved Luba face, DRC Africa. The mortar is heavily worn with deep polished surface outside from many years of use, and the i...

Large Moroccan glazed ceramic urn with lid from Fez. Moorish style ceramic handcrafted and hand painted with Arabic calligraphy writing. This kind of Art Writing looks calligraphic...

Bring home a piece of ancestral heritage with this authentic Chokwe mask from Angola, crafted in the mid-20th century. Rooted in deep cultural tradition, Chokwe masks were once used ...

Pair of African Tribal Art mask parchment wall shade sconces. These Art pieces could be used as large wall lamp shade. Iron frame covered with hide w...

A hand-carved partially painted (natural pigments) Lega/kwele/bakwele mask. Artisan made in Congo circa 1960-80 and brought back to Denmark by a Danish traveller. It is executed in u...

Mid-20th century Tribal Zulu women's woven red cotton hat, Isicholo, from South Africa. The unusual spiral weave on this cotton Isicholo makes this a beautiful and rare example of t...

This striking hand-woven Kente cloth is an authentic West African textile created within the revered Ewe–Asante (Ashanti) weaving tradition of Ghana, celebrated for its vibrant color, symbolic geometry, and extraordinary craftsmanship. Woven from a luxurious blend of silk and cotton, this piece exemplifies the artistry and cultural depth that have made Kente one of the world’s most recognized and collected textiles. The design features a dynamic palette of turquoise green, golden yellow, warm brown, and glowing orange, arranged in rhythmic bands and geometric motifs. Each color carries traditional meaning—green for renewal and growth, yellow for wealth and vitality, and rich earth tones for grounding and stability—creating a composition that is both visually captivating and culturally resonant. Kente cloths were historically worn by royalty and used for important ceremonial occasions, making them powerful expressions of prestige, heritage, and identity. Today, they are prized by collectors and interior designers alike for their bold graphic presence and textural richness, whether displayed as wall art, draped over furniture, or incorporated into curated interiors. Dimensions: 83” x 118” Date of Manufacture: 3rd Quarter of the 1900s Place of Origin: Ghana, Africa Material: Silk, Cotton Condition: Good The Persian Knot Gallery, SKU: 2322 African Kente Cloth, Ewe Kente Textile, Ashanti Kente, Hand Woven African Textile, Ghanaian Kente Cloth, Silk And Cotton Kente, African Wall Hanging, Tribal Textile Art, Vintage African Fabric, Ghana Textile...

While shield and spear were central to African combat, this iron sword blade was most likely made to serve as a piece of trade currency. Many pre-colonization African currencies were...

This beautiful sculpture by an unknown artist, depicting a Ndebele. Despite of occasionally mistakenly attributed to Carl Hagenauer is it undoubtedly a masterpiece. In earlier times,...

Carved wood powerful portrait of a Makonde man with a traditional lip plug in his upper lip, high carved cheek bones in the form of a finely carved helmet mask, with attached hair on...

African Benin Bronze Sculpture, Africa, circa mid 20th Century. Beautiful casting with wonderful attention to detail. Solid, heavyweight...

Authentic carved wooden Yoruba Ere Ibeji figure, 25.5 cm tall. Standing on a circular base, the figure is distinguished by its tall, finely striated hairstyle, which retains traces ...

Fabulous handcrafted antique Moroccan ceramic vase in Moorish style adorned with Fine filigree silver nickel work overlaid. The color of...

Small used Senufo stylized bird faced weaving heddle pulley, Ivory Coast Africa I Deep patina and polish from traditional use, circular wear inside from weaving bobbin, now absent. 6...

19th Century Somali Gashan Shield – East Africa Hand-Worked Hide with Raised Central Boss A striking and authentic 19th century Somali Gashan shield from Somalia, showcasing a rare...

This magnificent and large Late Period round-topped stele is deftly carved in shallow sunk relief. Below the arching top we find a winged solar-disk flanked by two uraei, and two sym...

Vintage Korhogo handspun, handwoven and hand-painted cotton mud cloth by the women of the Korhoga Village who spin the cotton, while the men weave and sew the cloth...

Large Moroccan glazed ceramic vase from Fez. Moorish Granada style ceramic handcrafted and hand painted with Arabic calligraphy writing. This kind of art writing looks calligraphic i...

This beautifully preserved fragment is boldly sculpted in raised relief on a coarse grained sandstone. It features a portion of two columns of hieroglyphs which enumerate a hymn or...

Vintage "Pop Art" Bottle Cap Folk Art Basket, Kenya "Interesting Pop Art Basket made from Various Bottle Caps and Wire" "in good as found condition with some rust, scrapes and disc...

A Small Egyptian Bronze Statue of Harpocrates, Circa 1st Century B.C. / 1st Century A.D. The left hand holds the horn of abundance. Provenanc...