Sub-Saharan African Decorative Objects

This lovely ceramic pumpkin from Love Art Ceramics is a delightful addition to any home or office decor. Crafted by a talented group of artists in South Africa, this unique piece is ...

This lovely ceramic pumpkin, crafted by Love Art Ceramics, showcases the talents of a small group of artists in South Africa. Made in 2024, this autumn harvest sculpture features vib...

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

This stunning ceramic pumpkin, crafted by Love Art Ceramics in South Africa, is the result of collaboration between two skilled artists. Made entirely by hand, it showcases a vibrant...

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...

This ceramic pumpkin sculpture is handcrafted in South Africa at Love Art Ceramics, a studio known for creating beautiful, unique pieces. For this season, they've focused on crafting...

Protea Jewelry Box Hand-Painted by Swelihle Khanyeza, Sculpted by Sfiso Mvelase Love Art Ceramic, South Africa Introducing the Protea Jewelry Box, a charming ceramic piece that beau...

Introducing the magnificent "Tiger Urn," a breathtaking piece of ceramic decorative art crafted with exceptional skill by Love Art Ceramic in South Africa. Sculpted by Motsamai Sello...

This handmade ceramic pumpkin from Love Art Ceramics in South Africa features a stunning giraffe skin pattern, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship. Standing 4 inches tall and 4 inc...

Elephant Peanut Bowl Hand-Painted by Swelihle Khanyeza, Sculpted by Motsamai Sello Love Art Ceramic, South Africa, 2024 Introducing the Elephant Peanut Bowl, a delightful ceramic cr...

Introducing the Rhino Plate, a remarkable ceramic creation crafted with precision by the talented Nompilo Zaba and hand-sculpted by Victor Shabalala at Zimele Ceramics in South Africa. Measuring 1 inch high, 10 inches in length, and 10 inches in width, this hand-painted plate is a true masterpiece that celebrates the majesty of African wildlife. The plate features a stunning portrayal of the rhinoceros, an iconic symbol of strength and endurance in African culture. Rhinos, with their formidable presence and ancient lineage, are often seen as symbols of protection and resilience. They are deeply revered in African traditions for their role in the ecosystem and their status as majestic, yet endangered creatures. Nompilo Zaba’s intricate hand-painting vividly captures the rhino's powerful form and unique features, including its distinctive horns and rugged skin. The design showcases the rhino in a naturalistic setting, highlighted against a backdrop of earthy, vibrant colors that evoke the rich textures of the African savannah. The artistic composition reflects the deep connection between African wildlife and the environment, blending traditional patterns and motifs with a contemporary touch. Victor Shabalala’s sculpting expertise ensures that the plate is not only a canvas for this beautiful artwork but also a testament to the high quality of South African pottery...

This beautiful ceramic pumpkin is a creation of Love Art Ceramics, a talented small group of artists based in South Africa. Made in 2024, this autumn harvest sculpture features stunn...

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...

Succulent Butterfly Jewelry Box Introducing the exquisite "Succulent Butterfly Jewelry Box," a stunning piece of ceramic decorative art crafted i...

Beetle Candlesticks Hand Painted by Sabelo Nene and Sculpted by Sfiso Mvelase Embrace the enchanting spirit of South African artistry with the exquisite Beetle Candlesticks, a stunn...

Tiger Jewelry Box: Hand-Painted by Zinhle Nene and Sculpted by Sbusiso & Motsamay The Tiger Jewelry Box is a stunning piece of ceramic art crafted by Lo...

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...

Protea, Hoopoe Jewelry Box Hand-Painted by Zinhle Nene & Sculpted by Sbusiso Ndaba Love Art Ceramic, South Africa, 2024 The Protea, Hoopoe Jewelry Box is a stunning work of ceramic ...

The Ceramic Buffalo Bush Baby Rider, a remarkable piece from Zimele Ceramics, is a vivid testament to the studio's artistic vision and cultural depth. Hand-sculpted by Nokubonga and ...

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...

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

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...

These backrests were exclusively used by Dignitaries of the Mongo people in DRC. The diamond design on the seat can also be found on the Kuba tissues called "Velours du Kasai.".

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 ...

The ceramic Guinea Fowl Egg Cup, meticulously crafted by Sbu and hand-sculpted by Saiza at Love Art Ceramic in South Africa, captures the essence of African wildlife. Standing at 2 i...

This ceramic tiger box from Love Art Ceramic is not just a piece of art; it's a symbol of strength, beauty, and craftsmanship. Handmade by talented artisans Sbusiso and Minenhle Nene...

The Buffalo & genet cat jewelry box from Senzo Duma Ceramics is a testament to South African artistry. Hand-sculpted by Thabiso and hand-painted by Nqoh,...

Crafted by the skilled hands of Sbusiso and painted with intricate detail by Minenhle at Love Art Ceramic in South Africa, this Bird jewelry box measu...

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

This ceramic Cheetah jewelry box, crafted by Sabelo Nene at Love Art Ceramic studio in South Africa, intertwines African wildlife with artistry. Standi...

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...

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

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...

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 rare, almost circular-shaped masks, belongs to the Ekanga secret society and would have been kept in baskets at the heart of their sanctuaries. The minimalist style and the whit...

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

Ashanti Headrest Stool Carved Wood Tribal Art Ghana Africa Carved from a single piece of wood, the African Ashanti head rest, Ghana, has a curved top raised on a pedestals depicti...

A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a ceremonial doll...

A Maasai girl, upon reaching adolescence, undergoes a traditional rite of passage known as "Enkipaata" a ceremony marking her transition into womanhood and preparing her for the resp...

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...

Zulu warriors were renowned for their disciplined formations and innovative tactics in battle, epitomized by the "buffalo horns" strategy developed by the legendary Shaka Zulu: a man...

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

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 ...

Worn and weathered Tsogho short bench carved from a single piece of wood, with faces and figures, from Gabon, Africa. Blocky bench with roughly carved out openings, flanked on one s...

Showing a crescent shaped headrest braced by flattened 'V' shaped supports rising from a cupped base, decorated overall with hand carved linear motifs and exhibiting an old rubbed su...

A human torso (lacking head) carved from a limestone [yet to be determined]; the enigmatic whole torso is strongly represented in an upright stance, arms purposefully rigid to each s...

20th century large African clay vessel.

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...

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...

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

The Mangbetu people once reigned over a flourishing kingdom in northeastern Congo. Hence their traditional art flourished around the court. Their very rare figural sculptures are rem...

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...

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

Expressive, interesting African Baoulé mask from Cote d'Ivoire from last third of the last century, carved from wood painted polychrome. The face is narrow & elegant and has a though...

This vessel vividly illustrates anthropomorphic design through its bold depiction of a human-like figure. The spout is sculpted as an open-mouthed face, complete with stylized eyes a...

A Dogon Mali dance mask with carved figure from the early to mid 20th century. This Dogon tribal wooden ceremonial dance mask originates from Mali, West Afr...

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...

Solaris Limited Edition Wall-Hung Sculpture in Bronze by Jesse Ede Limited Edition of 7 Pieces + 2AP Dimensions: D 25 x W 221 x H 221 cm. Materials: Bronze. Solaris is a wall-hung s...

You Can Lean on Me Sculpture by Driaan Claassen Limited Edition Dimensions: D15 x W20 x H85 cm Materials: Wood:Kiaat Weight: 2.9 kg Born in Johannesburg in 1991, sculptor Dria...

Carved from reddish brown hardwood, the hollow form rises from a cylindrical neck, the lowest part being a rounded base, then surrounded by diagonal sections. The neck is surrounded by nine rows of coral beaded necklaces (odigba) that extend to a thread motif on the back of the head. Face in full relief with straight lips, flared, flattened nose and oval eyes with set shell (nut) for the pupils. Along the forehead are six frontal scars treated with rectangular cavities in which should have inserts nutshells. In this case there is only one left Small ears on each side of the head, each C-shaped. A headband consisting of three rows of almost completely distroyed. On the right side of the head, a single feather extends upward from a beaded rosette. Behind the ear, two long braids of hair hang down to the beaded collar and then become bows that reach the roots. The left side of the head has a long, single braid behind the ear that hangs down to the beaded collar and becomes a bow that ends at the base. On each side, three strands of hair appear at the temples under the headband. Featuring an open hole with a circular motif on the top of the head and a rectangular open slit down the back. Insect damage in different areas; very old worn finish showing a lot of age. Very heavy insect damage in all areas; very old worn finish showing a lot of age. “Wooden shrine heads were permitted to sit on the altars of chiefs and important figures, in contrast to the copper alloy heads used exclusively by the kings of Benin. (Frederic Backlar, Bonhams, New York, 2012, lot 172) Osemwede (reigned 1816-1848) was the first Oba to decree that human heads could be carved for the altars of chiefs of royal lineage, rather than just wooden antelope and perhaps goat heads. Therefore, chiefs of blood enjoyed in Benin City (but not throughout the Kingdom of Benin, where antelope heads continued to be placed on the altars of their ancestors well into the 20s. Thus, the (wooden) human heads are said to be later than ca. 1816, but the actual age depends condition, insect damage, etc." (Fagg, William, Christie's, London, 1988, lot 206) "Feathers were worn by chiefs as a sign of status. The heads have a hole at the top intended to hold a large carved ivory tusk...