African Decorative Objects

Anthropomorphic carved wooden sculpture statuette representing a man. Nigeria, 1970s.

This Tuareg leather box is a finely crafted circular container created by a Malian artisan now living and working in the United States. Contemporary in its production yet grounded in...

African Mali late 20th-Century hand carved wooden Bamana maternity figure with a baby on the back Good, nice old patina, flaking and rubbing to pigments, minor wear to basket edge, ...

African Nigeria 20th Century carved wood & terra cotta Yoruba female figure seated on 2 posts, with crosshatched hair, holding a large ceremonial bowl with incised decoration, suppor...

Hoe-Shaped Currency "Mbili Ngbaka," Ngbaka, D.R. Congo 20th century Iron, accumulation 16 x 7 in. / 41 x 18 cm Height on custom display stand: 18.25 in. / 46 cm This interesting type of iron currency was used for major transactions such as dowry payments. The two wings added to the lower tips of the hoe underline the non-utilitarian character of this type of currency (Ballarini, "The Perfect Form...

This Tuareg leather box is a finely crafted circular container created by a Malian artisan now living and working in the United States. Contemporary in its production yet grounded in...

Hard to come by pair of African Ashanti water buffalo, each one is different than the other. Nice patina

Amazing pair of imposing West African Baga Nimba fertility shoulder mask sculptures or statues carved from teak. The headdresses depict busts of women on fo...

PAIR of African Mali 20th Century bronze Dogon male and female stylized ancestor figures using the lost wax process.They both share identical hair styles, alluding to the mythic pair...

African D.R Congo 20th-Century carved wooden Luba female fertility figure with beaded black, blue, white and red earrings Fair, nice authentic patina, vertical expansion cracks thro...

2 African iron Bandaka hoe currency, Mabila and Chamba Peoples, Nigeria and Cameroon. The iron, hammered into the form of a hoe, was used as currency. Mounted they are wonderful pie...

An ineradicable, large Crotalocephalina gibba, Crotalocephalina trilobite is an extinct genus of trilobite in the order Phacopida found in Morocco. Typically these trilobites have ey...

This graceful sculpture of a long-necked bird is a headdress known as "a-Bamp," worn during ritual masquerades of Baga adolescents in Guinea. With strong themes of defiance, these ma...

Tribal Art - African Art Fang Male Reliquary Figure (Bieri Style), Fang-Betsi Subgroup, Gabon, Circa 1950s Carved from dense hardwood, this 19-inch-tall figure with dark, very beautiful patina, stands in a composed stance, holding a small box-like object close to the chest—a gesture associated with protection or ritual offering. Height: 19 in. (48.3 cm) x Width: 5 in. (12.8 cm) x Depth: 5 in. (12.8 cm) without base. Height: 21 in 1/4 (54 cm) x Width: 5 in 7/8. (15 cm) x Depth: 5 in 1/2 (14 cm) with base. Provenance: Multiple successive collections, France. According to the previous owner, this sculpture was originally brought from Gabon to France during the colonial period and passed through several private collections thereafter. We conservatively date the piece to the mid-20th century, corresponding to the period it remained in the collection of the prior owner. This powerful male figure exemplifies the classical aesthetic and spiritual principles of the Fang Bieri tradition, specifically aligned with the Betsi subgroup. Standing in a rigid frontal stance, the figure clutches a small object close to its chest, a gesture commonly associated with ritual offering, protection, or ancestral invocation. Carved from an exceptionally hard and heavy wood, the figure is marked by a rich, dark patina acquired through age and possible ritual handling. The anatomical emphasis—particularly the pronounced musculature, exaggerated genitalia, and the expressive weight of the limbs—evokes the Fang ideals of vitality, fertility, and ancestral potency. The oversized head, with its serene, meditative expression and stylized features, conveys a sense of introspective calm and spiritual authority. The schematic coiffure, carved in ridged vertical bands, further confirms its alignment with traditional depictions of respected male elders. The figure belongs to the Bieri tradition, an ancestral cult that functioned as the cornerstone of Fang spiritual and social identity for centuries. As the Fang people migrated southward through Equatorial Africa—from present-day Cameroon into northern Gabon—they carried bark containers (called nsek bieri) holding the skulls of revered ancestors. These containers were typically surmounted by carved guardian figures like this one, which both protected the sacred...

A superbly carved camel statue, early 20th century, Morocco, exceptionally executed, the North African Art Deco Orientalist figural carving features fine...

Beautiful carved solid mahogany steer sculpture , finished in polished soft finish beautiful piece in excellent condition .

This exceptional hand-carved Malachite sphere showcases the stone’s signature swirling green banding, concentric bullseyes, and natural luster. Expertly hand-polished to a high sheen...

African "Monkey Tree" bronze sculpture, with a troop of 19 monkeys about a tree of life unsigned. The base measures 4" x 3".  

Trilobites, an early arthropod relative of spiders, horseshoe crabs, and scorpions, preserved in this level of detail only occurred as a result of very sudden underwater landslides c...

Ghanaian 20th century mirrored fertility doll hand carved by the Ashanti people depicting a figure with exaggerated brows, serpentine shapes over the head and upper body and a mirror...

Midcentury African rosewood sculpture wonderfully hand carved depiction of the Virgin Mary with Jesus Child, with great detailing and beautiful face. ...

Bambara Standing male figure with powerful shoulders, arms at sides and large feet. From Mali, Africa It is in good condition with wear, polish and erosion from traditional use, appropriate for its age, use, and medium. Scuffs and nicks here and there. Age, wear and staining inside. On vintage wood block...

Exceptional artistically hand carved wood mask hand painted made of single piece of wood and was made for decorative purpose. Very intriguing and...

This collection of weights from the Ashanti tribe was gathered in Ghana in the middle of the 20th century. The casting of brass or bronze has been a long-standing tradition of the Ashanti tribes in this region since the 17th century but comes from the longer tradition of the Akan peoples as far back as the 1400s and continues to this day. Through trade in gold dust theses, regins have been powerful and demanding locations creating rich artistic traditions. The production of gold weights...

Pre-Columbian Indigenous style ceramic figure vessel glazed and painted in multiple shades of brown

Natural Malachite Specimen – 7.7 kg – 21 cm High An impressive natural malachite formation featuring striking stalagmite-like structures and rich deep-green hues. This large specime...

African bronze and wood sculpture, with characters playing a game.

Moroccan large ceramic decorative serving bowl tajine polychrome with leather, stones and metal overlay with conical overlay lid. The bottom is a circular ceramic bowl and the top of the tagine is distinctively shaped into a cone. Handcrafted and hand painted with Moorish designs by artisans in Fez Morocco. Great decorative Moroccan Folk ceramic...

Ashanti cast bronze ceremonial staff top in the shape of a hoe with 3 cast turtles, from Ghana. It is in good condition with a deep patina and polish from traditional use, appropria...

Antique African 'Bamana' Monkey Mask Antique African 'Bamana' Monkey Mask, late 19th to early 20th century. A hand carved wooden mask most presumably from the Bamana people of Mali...

Hand carved with a figurative design, this TOTEM-like wooden post was crafted by an artisan of the Yoruba peoples of Nigeria. Resembling the tall houseposts used to support the roof of a home, this shorter post would have been placed on a veranda courtyard as a symbolic and decorative element and did not bear weight. This veranda post...

Carved out of a single block of wood, this Gabon Fang male reliquary statue of stylized proportion impresses the viewers with a robust stance and meditative expression. Traditionally...

African Malachite bowls, 1970s Malachite bowls made in an organic shape and partly polished, which gives the top a shine. One bowl is poli...

African Gabon / Congo 20th Century carved wood Kota male reliquary figure in a basket features an inlaid brass skull-form flattened head, snakeskin, metal bell, small wicker jug, ani...

20th Century Presentation Tray, Agakoko, Tutsi People, Burundi or Rwanda A wonderfully graphic miniature presentation tray for gifts, this one rectangular with rounded edges. Ex. pr...

Yoruba Egba, couple of Ere Ibeji Twin Figures signed by Akinyode ,Yoruba People, Nigeria Abeokuta Provenance Monique Lancée (Maastricht '80)

On offer is a Punu ancestor female figure presented on a custom stand circa first half of 20th century. Statue of full Punu figure like this is relatively scarce and the patina on th...

Mid-20th century Tribal Offering bowl lid in the form of a bird, Yoruba people This wonderful carved wood offering bowl lid is shaped like a bird, traditionally considered messenger...

African Congo mid 20th-Century carved wooden Songye (South-Eastern Congo) fertility figure on a round base Good, with patina, showing rubbing, nicks, scratches and hairlines, small ...

An Impressive Oriental Ceramic Vase by Abderrazak Workshop Nabeul Tunisia 1950's With ancient architectural motifs Signed in enamel Very decorative In good condition Report : Pl...

This 14.4 lb AAA quality Large Septarian Druzy Geode Egg from Madagascar features an exposed area lined with dazzling druzy quartz crystals, as well as a polished back side, providin...

African Gabon / Congo 20th Century Kota Mahangwe carved wood reliquary guardian figure in flattened geometric form with protruding eyes and nose, a rope-wrapped finial, decorative te...

Red Quartz Hematite crystal cluster from Izizauen Alnif, Tarhbalt, Morocco. Cylindrical stalactite of calcite crystals mixed with red hematite. Hematoid Quartz contains both the amp...

Genuine Large Trilobite Plaque 250 million Year Bc Trilobite Form one of the Earliest Know groups of Arthropods Origin High Atlas Morroco

These exquisite Neolithic bracelets from Mali are a captivating testament to ancient craftsmanship and ingenuity. Carved from limestone with natural crystalline veins coursing throug...

These trays/bowls are made of granite. They have nautilus shell round dials.

This beautifully detailed lion carving is masterfully hand-carved from a single, solid piece of malachite that was sourced from Zaire. Polished to a mirrored finish, the top quality ...

A striking set of six malachite vases from the Congo, crafted in the 1960s. These vases showcase the captivating, natural beauty of malachite, with rich, vibrant green hues and intri...

Antique Moorish Hand-Etched Pewter Wedding Vessel or Urn, Late 19th–Early 20th Century A finely hand-crafted Moorish Revival ceremonial vessel in pewter or tinned copper, dating fro...

Anang/Ibibio Ekpo cult Ancestor dance Mask , Anang/Ibibio People ,Nigeria Maud et René Garcia Paris-Harrie Heinemans Collection Museum Berg & Dal-1984 Martin Lagrain AHDRC ao-...

Specimen Type: Vanadinite Weight: 7 grams Dimension: H: 1.8 x W: 1.5 x D: 1 cm Origin: Atlas Mountains, Mibladen, Morocco Treatment: None This natural specimen features rare van...

From Mibladen, Atlas Mountains, Khénifra Province, Morocco. Here is an exceptional world class specimen of a cluster of hexagonal crystals of bright red Vanadinites with glassy lust...

Authentic Tikar tribal spear from Cameroon, once used for lion hunting and still prominent in tribal ceremonies. This black-finished iron spear, with a sc...

Standout vintage Moroccan urn handcrafted in terra cotta decorated in distinctive Mediterranean colors and glazed under fine jewelry-like metalwork highlights.

Red Quartz Hematite crystal cluster from Izizauen Alnif, Tarhbalt, Morocco. Cylindrical stalactite of calcite crystals mixed with red hematite. Hematoid Quartz contains both the amp...

A large Moroccan terracotta pottery water jar resting in an iron stand. Oval form with rounded bottom and two small handles. Iron has rusty...

A beautiful large, all natural, moss agate bowl, 4.5 lb in weight, of ovoid form with natural, rounded edge. Spectacular swirls and "mosses" evoke one's memory of nature. Hand carved...

Early 20th century Chiwara Headdress, Bamana (Bambara) People, Mali Chiwara headcrests represent the antelope spirit who taught the Bamana people ...

Red Quartz Hematite crystal cluster from Izizauen Alnif, Tarhbalt, Morocco. Cylindrical stalactite of calcite crystals mixed with red hematite. Hematoid Quartz contains both the amp...

This premium Septarian geode sphere features a stunning exposed area adorned with glittering druzy quartz crystals, while its reverse side is expertly hand polished to a glossy, refl...