Sub-Saharan African Decorative Objects

A wonderful Punu wooden door panel (one of the original pair) with the iconic carved female figure circa mid-20th century. These door panels were used for granary in Gabon. The door ...

Ancient Terracotta Djenne Mali Africa This beautiful object has pure and slender lines that give it an ethnic-chic charm. But it is also a real old object steeped in history. This ...

To cure mental and physical ailments, Yoruba priests and diviners invoke the aid of Osanyin, the god of herbal medicines. Used in divination rituals to cure the afflicted, these iron...

These heads allowed the relatives to always have a link with the deceased, second half of the 20th century.

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 ...

The Djerma people of Niger are well-known for their gracefully shaped and delicately painted water containers. The surface paintings are applied after firing with all natural pigment...

This Piece is very primitive. Its a mid to early 20th century piece. Its carved from ironwood and depicts a family tree of a family from Tanzania. The carving is very detailed.

To cure mental and physical ailments, Yoruba priests and diviners invoke the aid of Osanyin, the god of herbal medicines. Used in divination rituals to cure the afflicted, this iron ...

A rare and finely carved ritual implement from Cameroon, dating to the 19th century. The piece retains the natural morphology of the bone at its proximal end, tapering to a sharp poi...

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

Sometimes called a "Bura bell" due to its shape, this sculptural terra cotta object was part of the Bura tribe's burial ritual. Buried with its flared mouth facing down, this cylindrical storage...

A rare paired set of forged iron throwing knives attributed to the Magali and Fali peoples of Northern Cameroon and Northeastern Nigeria—forms that exist at the intersection of weapo...

Bamum Decorative Wooden Ancestor Figure embroidered with European Glass Beads, Grasslands People , Cameroon Private collection Brussels These commemorative statuettes ,representing...

Sometimes called a "Bura bell" due to its shape, this sculptural terra cotta object was part of the Bura tribe's burial ritual. Buried with its flared mouth facing down, this cylindrical storage...

The Mangbetu people focused on highly realistic art forms. This ceremonial jug seamlessly transitions between figurative and abstract forms, from the spout formed to look like hair, ...

Doted on like an actual child, this carved doll was once owned by a young girl among the Namji people of northwest Cameroon. Carted around by its owner wherever she went and lovingly...

20th century large African clay vessel.

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...

This abstract stone sculpture is a funerary marker of the Bura people of the Niger/Mali region. Little is known about the Bura civilization (c. 200 to 1000 AD), but it shares many of...

Could I have tried harder? Sculpture by Driaan Claassen One of a Kind Dimensions: D33 x W60 x H25 cm Materials: Wood: Kiaat Weight: 7.4 kg Born in Johannesburg in 1991, sculpt...

Buried with their flared mouths facing down, these cylindrical storage vessels protected the deceased's possessions as they transitioned to the afterl...

Small leather Calabash from Africa Dimensions: 10 in. height x 6 in. diameter with a 4.24 in. diameter opening.

After oxen were introduced to Guinea Bissau by Portuguese sailors in the 15th century, its strength, aggression, and nobility quickly became integrated i...

With its striking spiraled horns and noble bearing, the Kudu bull is one of the most elegant antelope species in Africa — a true icon of the bushveld. This bronze sculpture captures ...

The Black Rhino is one of Africa’s most formidable creatures, yet also among its most vulnerable. This bronze bust, finished in a deep blue verdigris patina, captures the raw strength and weathered dignity of the rhino’s head, its horn thrust forward like a spear forged by evolution. I first sketched this piece in the field when all I could see was a rhino’s head emerging through the thicket—an unforgettable impression of power and presence. The rhino’s horn, once its ultimate defense, has tragically become the very reason for its decline. In this sculpture, that paradox is frozen in bronze: resilience and fragility bound together. Set on a sandstone base, the piece is both a tribute and a reminder—of nature’s grandeur and mankind’s responsibility to protect it. Bronze Rhino Sculpture...

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...

Early 20th century african elephant, tiger and woman rider varnished wood sculpture signed by J. Zanetti By: J. Zanetti Material: wood Technique: carved, hand-carved, hand-crafted, varnished, polished Dimensions: 12.5 in x 5 in x 12.5 in Date: early 20th century, 1936 Style: Art Déco Place of origin: South Africa This expressive early 20th century wood sculpture signed by J. Zanetti depicts an elephant mid-stride, a tiger resting below, and a nude female rider in an animated pose. Carved from richly grained, varnished wood, the figures are captured in motion, the elephant's legs striding forward. Seated atop the elephant, the woman's swirling coiffure and outstretched arm convey a sense of vitality and farewell. The energetic composition and Art Déco stylization reflect early 20th century african Modernism...

A single piece of solid mango wood, hand carved into a standing cone, circa 1960. Use it as door stoppers, or in a group for an eye-catching accent in any rustic or eclectic decor, i...

Bamileke Decorative Dance Crest, embroidered with European Glass Beads, Grasslands People, Cameroon. Private collection Brussels The raffia splint is covered with cloth and colou...

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

Pair of Congolese Carved Malachite Dishes, C.1970 A characterful pair of decorative dishes carved from solid Congolese malachite, each hollowed from a single piece of natural stone ...

Crafted by a blacksmith of the Bambara people of West Africa, this iron lamp once illuminated nighttime rituals and mask performances. Burning Tulu oil made from tree nuts, the lamp ...

Terracotta head remnant on tapered wood base

Sometimes called a "Bura bell" due to its shape, this sculptural terracotta form would have been a critical component of burial rituals of the Bura people of Niger. Buried with its flared mouth facing down, this cylindrical storage...

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 flaring terra cotta form would have been buried halfway in the ground, in a Nupe home, and used as a stable base for a stack of traditional round pots...

Elegant, carved wood sculpture representing the human figure from Togo, Africa. A large, dramatic piece for a tribal art collection and creating a rare, unique and special presence.

All our totem sculptures are hand-carved in Southern Africa from sustainable African alien timber by a group of Zimbabwean artists who set their own prices, thus making them fair tra...

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...

This stunning and unique decorative piece  measures 8 inches in length. This exquisite hippo figurine is expertly crafted from the rare gemstone Ruby i...

SONGYE mask in perfect conditions.

Sometimes called a "Bura bell" due to its shape, this sculptural terra cotta object was part of the Bura tribe's burial ritual. Buried with its flared mouth facing down, this cylindrical storage...

A spectacular large polished labradorite freeform sourced from Madagascar. Characterised by its iridescent colours, principally blue, this huge high grade labradorite is a stunning specimen, the lustrous colours fluctuating as it is observed from different angles. It is freestanding, making a striking sculptural piece for an interior, with a polished face to one side and a naturalistic reverse. Labradorite is named after the region of its discovery at Paul Island in the Canadian province of Labrador, first discovered here in 1770. Madagascar is currently the main source of labradorite. To expose its stunning colours, the stone is highly polished, revealing its natural beauty. This in itself is a talented skill, with only a small percentage of labradorites yielding positive results, making this specimen a rare discovery. We also have two other large labradorite...

Handcrafted two-arm candelabra in cast bronze, featuring small sculpted motifs of an elephant and acacia tree in a verdigris patina. These decorative elements were individually wax m...

This captivating vintage African helmet mask is a masterful example of tribal folk art and hand-carved craftsmanship. Drawing influence from the ce...

Very good cast of a Benin bonze head, probably mid 20th century From the Benin Tribe of Africa comes this beautiful bronze head

In an exclusive collaboration with pagoda red, Chicago artist the bms. adds a contemporary twist to our collection of one-of-a-kind African art objects. Guided by its geometric line work, the bms. uses...

Bronze relief plaque from the Kingdom of Benin, Nigeria, cast using the traditional lost-wax technique typical of Edo royal workshops. Depicting two warriors in ceremonial armour, standing side by side and wearing conical headdresses — the symbol of palace rank and military authority. The background shows interlaced floral motifs representing cosmic order and royal hierarchy. The brown-green oxidation and natural surface encrustation indicate a long period of ageing consistent with a pre-1920 casting. Visible casting seams, manual tool marks, and the non-industrial porosity on the reverse confirm traditional Edo craftsmanship rather than later reproductions. The rectangular perforations along the edges were used to attach the plaque to wooden pillars inside the Royal Palace of Benin City, where such reliefs celebrated the Oba’s lineage and military victories. Comparable plaques are held in: The British Museum, London (Af1898,0105.1–3) Weltmuseum, Vienna (inv. 35.456) Ethnologisches Museum, Berlin (Benin bronze plaques...

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...

The Maasai Warrior joins my series of figurative works inspired by Africa’s tribes, each piece a reflection of cultural pride and enduring legacy: Standing tall, proud, and resilient...

To cure mental and physical ailments, Yoruba priests and diviners invoke the aid of Osanyin, the god of herbal medicines. Used in divination rituals to cure the afflicted, this iron ...

Stunning stone sculpture by African artist David Bangura. It has been mounted on a white pedestal. David Bangura was born in 1955 in...

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...

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-...

Terracotta, 14th-15th century (thermoluminescence test: Interexpert 388317 from March 18, 1988). Koma-Bulsa motifs (Ghana), including a concave hairstyle with braided frontal ornamen...

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

Bamileke Decorative Dance Crest, embroidered with European Glass Beads, Grasslands People, Cameroon. Private collection Brussels The raffia splint is covered with cloth and colou...

Bamileke Decorative Dance Crest, embroidered with European Glass Beads, Grasslands People, Cameroon. Private Collection Bordeaux The raffia splint is covered with cloth and colour...

An Epa helmet mask, Nigeria, Africa. Fully carved mother and child; painted red and black with touches of white; Provenance: The Children's Museum of Indianapolis; The Eiteljorg Mu...

Twiggy was created as an imaginary creature that embodies the physical attributes of different life forms that fascinate me. As an artist, I often get lost in a make-believe world ...

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...