Sub-Saharan African Busts

Outstanding Benin Oba and his Queen, Lost Wax 'Bronze' Sculptures from the late 20th century Superbly cast and highly decorative contemporary pieces, not historical The centuries ol...

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...

This beautiful stone sculpture is a true masterpiece of African art from the beautiful country of Zimbabwe. This bust is lovingly hand-carved from stone that is said to have healing ...

Bronze Ife Woman Head Oba Edo Benin City Yoruba. The Bronze Head from Ife, or Ife Head, is one of eighteen copper alloy sculptures that were unearthed in 1938...

Large African Tribal Female Bust Sculpture, 32 cm – Hand-Carved Ethnographic Art Figure A wooden striking and highly decorative 32 cm African tribal female bust sculpture, celebrati...

Joseph Bansimba African bust carved in wenge - 20th African Art - Ethnic decoration Measures : 30x16cm H: 21,5cm Material : Wenge

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

A decorative double head bust that drums as well. Carved from one lumb of dark wood and featuring a cow hide drum. It was made by hand in South Africa during the 1980s and brought ba...

Acquired from Albert F. Gordon's Tribal Arts Gallery in NYC in the early 1970s, this is a cast iron Senufo Kpelie mask from the western coast of Africa - the Ivory Coast or Mozambiqu...

Hand-Carved African Soapstone Bust Sculpture, 15 cm This striking hand-carved African soapstone bust is a fine example of traditional African tribal-inspired artistry. Expertly sculpted from a single piece of natural dark soapstone, the figure features an elongated head, expressive facial features, and a finely detailed beard, showcasing the skill and craftsmanship of the artisan. The polished black stone surface contrasts beautifully with the textured carved hair, creating a distinctive and visually captivating decorative object. Measuring 15 cm in height, this compact sculpture is ideal for display on a desk, bookshelf, mantelpiece, or within a curated collection of ethnographic art. The natural variations in the stone add character and uniqueness, ensuring that no two pieces are exactly alike. Perfect for collectors of African art, tribal sculptures, folk art, and handcrafted stone carvings, this decorative bust brings cultural richness and timeless elegance to both contemporary and traditional interiors. Details: * Material: Natural hand-carved soapstone * Origin: African, likely Zimbabwean * Height: 15 cm (5.9 inches) * Colour: Black with natural stone variations * Style: Tribal / Ethnographic / Folk Art * Condition: Vintage condition with age-related wear and natural stone characteristics African soapstone sculpture...

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...

African art - Male bust - Mozambique - Makonde. African sculpture; early 20th century, made of exotic wood, possibly of Mozambican Makonde ethnicity. Height: 23 cm.

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...

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

Wood-Carved Sculpture of a Tanzanian Woman Signed and Dated 1922