Nigerian Decorative Objects

This impressive jar is an unglazed terracotta vessel believed to have been made by the Nupe people of central Nigeria in West Africa. Its impressive size, measuring 32.2 cm in diamet...

Benin (Nigeria) bronze sculptures of leopards from the mid-20th century Offered for sale is a pair of modern mid-20th century copies of Benin (modern-day Nigeria) bronze figural s...

This wooden headdress was created by the Yoruba People of western Nigeria, and was worn during a masquerade known as egungun. A widespread Yoruba ritual, egungun performances honor a...

Tribal Bronze Cache-sexe, Vere People, Cameroon/Nigeria Bronze alloy 4.5 (11.4 cm) to 2.25 (6.7 cm) inches high Late 19th century A set of bronze spikes forms this cache-sexe from t...

A wonderful, bronze bust/head sculpture of the Benin warrior Oba King, the first ruling King Father of the 16th century Kingdom of Benin (in present-day Nigeria) which was one of Afr...

This vibrant Amethyst Cluster from Nigeria features richly saturated violet crystals with exceptional depth of color and striking natural formation. The deep purple hues and sharp, w...

Mid-20th century Benin (Nigeria) bronze figural offering depicting leopards and tribesmen Offered for sale is a modern-day Benin (Nigeria) bronze figural offering depicting leopar...

Set of Three Cast Bronze Disc Top Hairpins Mangbetu, Democratic Republic of Congo Africa. A finely crafted cast bronze set of hairpins, of the style similar to those carved in ivory...

Generously scaled and quietly commanding, this late 20th-century Hausa basket was hand-coiled and woven from palm fronds using time-honored techniques passed down through generations...

Early Yoruba offering bowl in the from of a male figure with a beard riding on horse back surrounded by four small attendants, finely carved with nice patina from native use. Probabl...

A finely cast bronze portrait head in the style of the ancient Yoruba kingdom of Ife, Nigeria. This dignified bust exhibits hallmark features of c...

A striking example of West African material culture, this Igbo iron currency knife from Nigeria embodies the intersection of economy, artistry, and ritual within traditional African societies. Before the widespread adoption of coinage and paper money, many regions across Africa used forms of metal currency—objects whose intrinsic material value, craftsmanship, and symbolic form made them widely accepted as units of exchange. Among the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria, iron currency objects such as knives, rods, and bracelets circulated not only as mediums of trade but also as markers of wealth, social status, and ceremonial exchange. This particular form—often referred to as a currency knife—features an elegantly curved profile with a tapering blade-like extension and finely incised surface decoration. Forged and hand-carved from iron, the piece demonstrates the remarkable skill of traditional blacksmiths, whose work held both practical and spiritual significance in Igbo culture. The etched geometric motifs along the surface speak to a visual language of craftsmanship passed through generations, transforming what was once a utilitarian object into a sculptural artifact rich with cultural meaning. Mounted on a custom-made platform for display, the piece now reads as a refined sculptural object. Its weathered iron patina, subtle textural variations, and dynamic crescent silhouette give it a commanding presence—equally compelling as a collectible ethnographic artifact or as a distinctive decorative accent in a contemporary interior. Today, objects like this Igbo currency...

Five Tribal Bronze Snuff Rings, Tiv Culture, Nigeria Brass or copper alloy 4.5 (11.4 cm) to 2.25 (6.7 cm) inches high 19th century A fascinating collection...

Stone mortar and pestle Nigeria 20th century Measures: Mortar: 21 x 15.5 x 2 in. / 53 x 39 x 5 cm Height on custom display stand: 26...

An expressively carved African wood female kneeling figure on staff with a display wood stand circa mid 20th century. The figural sculpture was an Ose Sango staff from Yoruba communi...

The Nupe people of Nigeria were touted as some of the finest ceramicists in Africa. Everyday objects, like this water vessel, received detailed attention. The vessel's varied texture...

An uncommon form, the abstract teeth filled mouthed figure standing straight on an integral base.

Tourmaline, Ofiki, Oyo State, Nigeria 6.3 cm tall x 1.9 cm diameter Ofiki is well known for producing deep colored tourmalines. Most of the tourmalines they find are dull, rounded, ...

Time-honored texture and form define this Nigerian copper sculptural object. The intricate geometry was achieved through a process known as scarification. The artisan would meticulou...

West African hand beaded head dress crown from Yoruba, Nigeria. This artistic beautiful and functional art piece is covered with beads in turquoise, orange, green, yellow red, blue ...

Attributed to the Yoruba people of western Nigeria, this wooden headdress was worn during a masquerade known as egungun. A widespread Yoruba ritual, egungun performances honor a comm...

An impressive and seldom Nigerian large basket garment and cover, with dyed patterned band. Those baskets where used to preserve grains. Tall colorful handwoven lidded basket from ...

Nok Terracotta Standing Dignitary Figure in Royal Pose. I-II Century AD. Certificate of Authenticity with TL Test and Passport from Europe. Museum Piece...

An exquisite Benin bronze sculpture in shape of a bell depicting an Oba. Oba translates to "ruler" in the Yoruba and Bini languages of contempor...

A sculptural iron throwing knife attributed to the Marghi, Mofu, or Kapsiki peoples of northeastern Nigeria and northern Cameroon. Known broadly as a hunga munga, this form transcend...

A matched pair of Ogboni figures with finely modeled heads and abstracted bodies, with iron post at bottom of each. Each face with "x" scarification mark between eyes and elaborate ...

A striking expression of pre-colonial value systems, this Igbo iron currency knife from southeastern Nigeria operates at the intersection of economy, ritual, and sculpture. Forged by...

Time honored texture and form define this Nigerian copper sculptural object. The intricate geometry was achieved through a process known as scarification. The artisan would meticulou...

A European functionary, a cane in his right hand, carries a ledger in his left, he wears a visored CAP, collar and tie. He is moustached and has a cigar in his jacket pocket. Probab...

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

A cast bronze sculpture representing a stylized leopard head surmounted by a standing feline, attributed to Edo artists of Benin City, Nigeria. Created within the artistic traditions...

Extra Large Curved Hoe currency Angas, Nigeria Early 20th century Iron Measures: 29.5 x 20.5 in. / 75 x 52 cm Height on custom display stand: 33.25 in. / 84 cm Weight: 20.6 pounds / 9.34 kg Combined weight with base: 43.8 pounds / 19.9 kg The large currency forms are comprised of a heavy sheet of iron forged into the shape of a curved hoe. They were customary gifts for a bride’s father as well as having a function during wedding celebrations (Ballarini, The Perfect Form...

This sculpture is from West Africa. It depicts a Yoruba woman kneeling. It was made in Nigeria.

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...

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...

Antique hand-carved African couple sculpture 1940s - Private Collection Domenico Rugiano

This Piece is very primitive. Its a mid to early 20th century piece. Its carved from Ebony ironwood and depicts a woman kneeling. It was made in Nigeria.. The carving is very detailed.

Before coinage became standardized across West and Central Africa, wealth was often held in iron. In parts of present-day northeastern Nigeria and northern Cameroon, highly forged th...

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...

Blacked wood helmet mask (Gelede), large human head surmounted by a dog eating a snake which curves around the head. No perforation for attachment to costu...

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-...

Nigerian Yoruba Gelede Headdress Mask, Marionettes Which have been Danced. Offered for sale is a Nigerian Yoruba Gelede headdress mask topped with movable marionettes which have b...

A fine example of a early 20th century iron currency from the Afo tribe in Nigeria. Also called a hoe currency the abstract shape refers to the blade of a hoe as to symbolise the con...

Extra Large Curved Hoe Currency Angas, Nigeria Early 20th century Iron 25.25 x 17.5 in. / 64 x 44 cm Height on custom display stand: 29.75 in. / 76 cm Weight: 12.8 pounds / 5.8 kg Combined weight with base: 20.6 pounds / 9.3 kg The large currency forms are comprised of a heavy sheet of iron forged into the shape of a curved hoe. They were customary gifts for a bride’s father as well as having a function during wedding celebrations (Ballarini, The Perfect Form...

A striking carved wood Yoruba Gẹ̀lẹ̀dẹ́ Helmet Mask on custom display stand circa mid-20th century. From Nigeria, Africa, these large elaborate and colorful headdresses were traditio...

Terracotta head remnant on tapered wood base

The traditional form of the Senufo currency bracelet is stripped down in this more minimalistic version. Two gracefully upswept bands join to form a ...

Experience the beauty and authenticity of a 19th Century Nigerian Igbo Mask, a true cultural treasure. This stunning piece features intricate carvings and striking facial features th...

This is a well relief carved Jewelry box. It was probably made on the west coast of Africa. It looks to depict the heads of 3 Jaguars in relief.

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

Idoma Ibo Female Figure. Africa, Nigeria 20th century or earlier. A seated female figure on a stool smoking a long pipe with painted with pigments and adorned with scarification mar...

West African hand beaded head dress crown from Yoruba, Nigeria. This artistic beautiful and functional art piece is covered with beads in ivory, red and black colors with faces bird...

A tall Ibibio wood mask from Nigeria, Africa, circa 20th century. The head mask was carved in with a frontal face with pierced eyes and a gapping mouth. On his head, a stylized hat ...

A monumental and powerfully carved Yoruba figural ritual vessel from Nigeria, dating to the mid-20th century. This striking sculptural work depicts a standing male figure supporting ...

Jukun Commemorative Royal Ancestor Figure, Jukun People, Northeastern Nigeria. Provenance Martial bronsin 2009 Native 2012 - Martin Lagrain AHDRC ao-0096159-001,002,003 The figure is depicted standing, bearded, with a tribal skull...

Ibo hardwood Ikenga Altar Statue documented Van Lier provenance,Ibo People, Nigeria. before 1959 Kunsthandel Van Lier (documented)-1959 Volkskundig museu...

This four-sided brass face bell, known as omo, was created by an artisan of the Ijebu Yoruba People of Southern Nigeria. A mark of the wearer's rank and power, the bell would have be...

The Nupe people of Nigeria were known as some of the finest ceramicists in Africa. Everyday objects, like this storage vessel, received detailed attenti...

The Nupe people of Nigeria were touted as some of the finest ceramicists in Africa. Everyday objects like this elegant, cylindrical vessel support received detailed attention. This f...

Used as forms of currency, they could also serve as a musical or ritual object. Displayed on a custom mount.