Burkinabe Decorative Objects

Brown Color Genuine Decorative Shell 20th Century

This strikingly bold and well detailed Hand-Carved Mossi Tribe Ceremonial Wood Mask on Elevated Sculptural Base originates from Burkina Faso, Circa 1960. The Mossi people from which ...

Very important “Nwantamtay” dance African mask, consisting of three sections: The upper in plain rectangular shape surmounted by a crescent shape moon, the middle with beautiful geometric triangles in black bitumen and white kaolin, surrounding a red cruciform in the centre of remarkable contrasting colors, and the lower part or face inscribed in a circular space that inspired numbered great artists like Joan Miro, Picasso and Henry Moore of a very strongly solar symbolism, with a projecting protuberance emanating from the forehead like a sculpted bird beak, that descents toward the mouth. Concentric eyes harmonize with the circular mouth, both with of elegant proportions. The whole mask exudes a supreme harmony and perfect balance rarely seen in this pieces. The back-side presents nice ware that attested the ancient origin and traces of animistic ceremonies as the use of animal blood residues. The painting of brown bitumen or cola, the natural colorants in red and ocher tones and the white kaolin are original and do not show any repainted or restored areas, giving a freshness rarely seen in old pieces. This exceptional mask Bwa, of the Hound`e Region in Burkina-Fasso, was used it the transit ceremonies and funerals manifesting the presence of “Do”, name given to their God sons, protectors and powerful spirits. The round face also represents an owl, the curving beak of the bird plants a seed into the sun, like a female sexual vulva being fecundated by the male organ; the eternal symbol of Ying and Yang, masculine and feminine, and the quest of life and death. This mask of Primitive facture can be compared to the one in the celebrated Verite Collection (this one being larger) sold in Paris at the Hotel Drouot, Saturday June 17, Lot 59, for 80,000 Euros and remarkably stands out from the Pierre and Tannia Matisse sold in Sotheby’s, New York in May 13, 2011. Another similar piece was published in: “Arman et l’art africain...

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

Hand-carved and beautifully crafted natural Calabash gourd bowl, made by artisans in West Africa with gorgeous tribal geometric pattern. The calabash gourd ...

Beautiful funerary terracotta urn called from the Bura region (Niger) in West Africa. This cylindrical anthropomorphic sculpture is adorned with geometric designs. It depicts a human...

This impressive collection of four carved wood figures are from the landlocked African country of Burkina Faso. This nation bordered by 6 other countries ...

A beautiful stylized antelope head used as headdress on ceremonial dances. Retains the old painting and patina over the carved wood. Traded by a professor working in Africa in the 19...

Abron Drum Attendant standing figure with both arms out front. From Ghana, early 20th century. Rich, dark patina to the surface. A wonderful streamlined (really Art Deco in feeling) or cubist style dancing male...

A Fante Drum Attendant standing male figure with flaring skirt and one arm out front. Bright open eye expression. From Ghana, early 20th century. As a display during traditional drum...

This Vide poche is a shell, in white color.

Hand-carved and beautifully crafted natural Calabash gourd bowl, made by artisans in West Africa with gorgeous tribal geometric pattern. The calabash gourd ...

This Vide poche is a shell, in white color.

Ovoid pots were an elegant storage solution in African tribal life. This beautifully balanced example is attributed to the Toussian people of Western Burkina Faso. Masterfully made to protect its contents from the elements, pots such as this one were coiled by female ceramists to hold food or personal...

Late 19th century hand-carved 'Thun Rwa' horn was used commonly by the Ngakpa (lay Lamas) of Tibet. Used as a healing tool with medicinal/herbal powders, the tribe "Medicine Man" wou...