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Place of Origin: African
African Sculpture of a Figure Standing on a Leopard
Located in Queens, NY
Wooden African sculpture of a human figure standing on the back of a leopard.
Category
20th Century Tribal African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
"Lovers Embracing" Marble Sculpture & Tealight Candle Holder, Kenya, c. 1980's
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a heart-warming abstract sculpture depicting two lovers in embrace that also serves as a tealight or small candle holder making it the perfect centerpiece for a dining ta...
Category
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Tribal Pierced African Panel
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very Decorative Carved and Pierced African Tribal Panel depicting a Female Ancestor. The powerful Female Figure supports a multitude of Stylized Carved Animals carved in three Band...
Category
20th Century Tribal African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
African Tree Carving
Located in San Diego, CA
A unique African carving of eight villagers at work and play. The piece is hand-carved into a tree branch that has dark wood on the inner layers and light wood on the outer layers. I...
Category
Late 20th Century African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
2 ft Pregnant Humanoid Sculpture Carved from Solid Mahogany, West Africa, 1970's
Located in Deland, FL
Fascinating and aesthetically gorgeous, this exquisite hand-carved sculpture is an excellent accent piece for those searching for authentic abstract African art. Hand-carved by craft...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Mahogany
Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Cotton, Wood
Ashanti Maternal Fertility Figure
Located in Atlanta, GA
On offer is an Ashanti female fertility figure from Ghana, West Africa, circa Mid-20th century. Carved from a single block of wood, the statue depicts a female with typical coiffure ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Wood
Very early Monocolor Bamileke Elephant Mask embroided with white trade beads.
Located in Leuven , BE
Bamileke Kuosi Elephant masks comprise cloth panels and hoods woven from plantain fiber over raffia. On this background glass beads are stitched in geometric patterns. The basic form depicts salient features of the elephant—a long trunk and large ears. The hood fits tightly over the masker's head, and two hanging panels, one behind and one in front, partially conceal the body. The front panel is the elephant trunk, and the two large, stiff circles hinged to either side of the head are its ears, which flap as the masker dances. While the mask symbolizes an elephant, the face is human. Eyeholes provide visibility, and a nose and mouth with teeth are normally present. The glass beads used on these earlier masks were nineteenth-century trade beads of Venetian or Czechoslovakian manufacture, used as well in exchange for slaves. Elephant mask costumes...
Category
Early 20th Century African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Beads, Organic Material
Midcentury Ebony Hand Carved Mermaid Sculpture
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful sculpture is entirely carved out of one piece of ebony wood in the 1960s in Tansania The perfectly natural and organic shape makes this handcrafted sculpture extra special ...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
Grand Tour Statue of Pharaoh Hatshepsut After the Ancient Model
Located in Montreal, QC
Grand Tour statue of Pharaoh Hatshepsut after the ancient model.
Hatshepsut was the fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt and was the second historically confirmed female pharaoh, the first being Sobekneferu. The authentic ancient sculpture of Hatshepsut is located in Deir el-Bahri, Thebes, Egypt. Cast painted plaster. Provenance: The Collection of Charles de Beistegui, Château de Groussay. Charles de Beistegui (1894-1970), an enigmatic interior decorator whose passport was Spanish and whose wealth came from his family’s Mexican silver mines. Beistegui to indulge himself in the homes he decorated, such as his Chateau de Groussay...
Category
Early 1900s Egyptian Antique African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
Sculpture, African Mask, Ivory Coast, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
" Sculpture, African Mask, Ivory Coast, 20th Century "
African mask from the Ivory Coast, early 20th century.
h: 55cm, l:24cm, p: 21cm
Category
20th Century Primitive African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Beaded Ndebele Initiation Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Wood
Rare Gabon Mask From Tsogho Peoples with Character, Central Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early and rare mask from Gabon, Central Africa, created by the Tsogho peoples. Powerful large mask with carved open eyes, and black painted eyes above, below heavy carved eyebrows. ...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Mende Women's Helmet Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
This helmet mask created by the Mende people of Sierra Leone was made for the women of their tribe to wear while dancing. Commissioned by women for their ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Male Baule Figure, Ivory Coast, Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early 20th century male baule figure, ivory coast, Africa
A stylistically pleasing sculpture of a spiritual spouse (blolo bian) from the Baule culture....
Category
Early 20th Century Other African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Metallic Studded Bambara Figure by Brian Stanziale
By Brian Stanziale
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Tribal African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Pair of Iron Spatulate Currencies, Chamba or Mambila, Cameroon or Nigeria
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Pair of iron flat spatulate currency pieces, made by the Chamba or Mambila peoples of Cameroon or Nigeria
Mid 20th century or older.
10 1/2 inches high for larger currency. Pair mo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Majestic Benin King Oba, Finely Carved Ebony Bust, Nigeria West Africa C1930s
By People from Benin
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Truly a majestic Benin Oba. Beautifully and finely hand carved in Ebony hardwood from the 1930's
A piece of this quality and stature holds enormous presence...
Category
1930s Folk Art Vintage African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ebony
Dan Prestige Wood Spoon with Legs, Ivory Coast, West Africa on custom base
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Dan carved wood prestige spoon or ladle, from the Dan people of Ivory Coast, West Africa. Spoons like this were used by the most prominent woman in the village as a sign of her powe...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Vintage African Bronze Sculpture of a Drummer, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unusual vintage African bronze sculpture. A sitting drummer - drumplayer. It was brought from Africa in the 1970s. Naive - primitive styling and a strong patina. This piece is not si...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Congolese Fertility Icon
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Congolese fertility wood carved icon. In my organic, contemporary, vintage and mid-century modern aesthetic.
Category
20th Century Organic Modern African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Benin Kingdom Ebony Carving of a Young King Oba, Nigerian
By People from Benin
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Wonderful hand carved ebony hardwood figure of a young Benin man, possibly a
future King Oba
Excellent traditional Benin artistic carving
A delightful piece
Circa 1970
Height 13...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ebony
Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Twine, Cotton, Wood
Mother and Child , Cameroon, Mabea, 1920-1930, Provenance R. Caillois-P.Ratton
Located in Leuven , BE
Standing Fang Mabea Maternity of Museum quality, holding a pestle with both her hands. The mother's head is slightly turned to the left, while the child, which she carries on her bac...
Category
1920s Vintage African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Leather, Wood
Collection of 8 Mid 20th Century Ashanti Cast Brass Gold Weights
Located in Hudson, NY
This collection of weights from the Ashanti tribe was gathered in Ghana in the middle of the 20th century. The casting of brass or bronze has been a long-standing tradition of the Ashanti tribes in this region since the 17th century but comes from the longer tradition of the Akan peoples as far back as the 1400s and continues to this day. Through trade in gold dust theses, regins have been powerful and demanding locations creating rich artistic traditions. The production of gold weights...
Category
Mid-20th Century African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Nigerian Yoruba Gelede Headdress Mask, Marionettes Which Have Been Danced
Located in Miami, FL
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...
Category
20th Century African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Textile, String, Wood, Paint
Bamileke Decorative Dance Crest, embroidered with European Glass Beads
Located in Leuven , BE
Bamileke Decorative Dance Crest, embroidered with European Glass Beads, Grasslands People, Cameroon.
Ex J.Klejman Paris
The raffia splint is covered with cloth and colourful minia...
Category
Mid-20th Century African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Beads
Late 19th Cent. Kuba Drum W Honey Brown Patina - Harry Franklin Collection
Located in Culver City, CA
A tall and elegant wood pedestal drum with a fully-carved face on the side, and two registers of incised linear designs above and below. It has an absolutely gorgeous honey-brown pa...
Category
Late 19th Century Tribal Antique African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Vintage Decorative Egyptian Pharaoh Statue on Marble Base, Grand Tour Souvenir
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautifully crafted statue of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, I believe it is Ramses the 2nd however I am not completely sure. The statue appears to be made of copper or white metal. ...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Metal
Mid-Century Baoule Tribal Mask in Yellow-Black with Antelope Head Decoration
Located in Salzburg, AT
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...
Category
1970s Tribal Vintage African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Ceramic Pumpkin Tureen , hand made in South Africa
By Love Art Ceramic
Located in North Miami, FL
Love Art Ceramics is a talented group of African artists who create lovely, one-of-a-kind pieces, with everything done by hand from start to finish. This time, they’ve crafted a uniq...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Benin King Oba and Queen, Pair of Hand Carved Seated Ebony Figures West African
By People from Benin
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Charming Benin King Oba and his Queen. Terrific pair of Benin hand carved ebony hardwood figures.
Intricate detailing on each of these super West African carvings
Circa Mid 20th c...
Category
Late 20th Century Tribal African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ebony
Ceramic Pumpkin , hand made in South Africa
By Love Art Ceramic
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely ceramic pumpkin is a perfect addition With its intricate details and vibrant colors of green, white, and orange, it beautifully captures the spirit of the season. Standi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Decorated Wooden Backrest Sculptured in One Piece
Located in Leuven , BE
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.".
Category
1940s Vintage African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Bamileke Decorative Wooden Flute or Whistle embroidered with European Glass Bead
Located in Leuven , BE
Bamileke Decorative Wooden Flute or Whistle embroidered with
European Glass Beads, Grasslands People, Cameroon.
Private collection...
Category
Mid-20th Century African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Beads
African Congo Fetish Statue, Houses Spirits for Protection, Late 20th- Century
Located in Miami, FL
African Congo Fetish Statue, Houses Spirits for Protection 20th- Century
Offered for sale is a late 20th-century African tribal fetish statue of a doubl...
Category
Late 20th Century Tribal African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
African Vintage Wood Carving
Located in Dallas, TX
African vintage wood carving. In my organic, contemporary, vintage and mid-century modern aesthetic.
Category
Early 18th Century Organic Modern Antique African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century African Statuette
Located in Dallas, TX
This Statuette origins from Benin in Africa, circa 1900.
Beautiful small details.
Category
Early 20th Century African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
20th Century Antique Carved Wood Mask, African Art
Located in Berlin, DE
20th Century Antique Carved Wood Mask, African Art
Solid wood, hand-carved, Africa probably century
Very decorative. Comes from a Berlin private collection.
Category
20th Century African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Very Tall Bronze Ndebele Sculpture, Original Mid-Century Modern, 1950s
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful sculpture by an unknown artist, depicting a Ndebele. Despite of occasionally mistakenly attributed to Carl Hagenauer is it undoubtedly a masterpiece. In earlier times,...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Grand Tour Sphinx
Located in Dallas, TX
A late 18th century grand tour era Egyptian marble sphinx. Sphinx is sitting on attached black marble base.
Category
1790s Antique African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Dogon Mali Carved Wood Ceremonial Mask, Early to Mid 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
African Tribal Figure
Located in Long Island City, NY
Mounted African tribal figure, used as a door latch in the early 20th century.
Category
20th Century Tribal African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Old African Cup With Heads
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/4911 - Unusual cup that comes from Rwanda, formerly Zaire, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
I bought it at an exibition, from a young African man well known to dealers in Paris. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Other African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Fruitwood
Fang Male Reliquary Figure (Bieri Style), Fang-Betsi Subgroup, Gabon
Located in Encino, CA
Fang Male Reliquary Figure (Bieri Style), Fang-Betsi Subgroup, Gabon, Circa 1950s
Carved from dense hardwood, this 19-inch-tall figure with dark, very beautiful patina, stands in a composed stance, holding a small box-like object close to the chest—a gesture associated with protection or ritual offering.
Height: 19 in. (48.3 cm) x Width: 5 in. (12.8 cm) x Depth: 5 in. (12.8 cm) without base.
Height: 21 in 1/4 (54 cm) x Width: 5 in 7/8. (15 cm) x Depth: 5 in 1/2 (14 cm) with base.
Provenance:
Multiple successive collections, France.
According to the previous owner, this sculpture was originally brought from Gabon to France during the colonial period and passed through several private collections thereafter. While we have no documentation to verify the original import date, we conservatively date the piece to the mid-20th century, corresponding to the period it remained in the collection of the prior owner.
This powerful male figure exemplifies the classical aesthetic and spiritual principles of the Fang Bieri tradition, specifically aligned with the Betsi subgroup. Standing in a rigid frontal stance, the figure clutches a small object close to its chest, a gesture commonly associated with ritual offering, protection, or ancestral invocation.
Carved from an exceptionally hard and heavy wood, the figure is marked by a rich, dark patina acquired through age and possible ritual handling. The anatomical emphasis—particularly the pronounced musculature, exaggerated genitalia, and the expressive weight of the limbs—evokes the Fang ideals of vitality, fertility, and ancestral potency. The oversized head, with its serene, meditative expression and stylized features, conveys a sense of introspective calm and spiritual authority. The schematic coiffure, carved in ridged vertical bands, further confirms its alignment with traditional depictions of respected male elders.
The figure belongs to the Bieri tradition, an ancestral cult that functioned as the cornerstone of Fang spiritual and social identity for centuries. As the Fang people migrated southward through Equatorial Africa—from present-day Cameroon into northern Gabon—they carried bark containers (called nsek bieri) holding the skulls of revered ancestors. These containers were typically surmounted by carved guardian figures like this one, which both protected the sacred...
Category
1950s Vintage African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Fired Clay Memorial Head from Bura Peoples, Niger on Wood Base
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique fired clay memorial head from Bura Peoples from Niger, West Africa. Mounted on custom 2 inch wood base. Strong expression with raised scarification marks on neck, temples a...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Tribal Antique African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Clay
Wooden Baoule Maternity Figure, Africa
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Interesting maternity figure in a hieratic pose presenting a young adolescent. Beautiful facial expression, showing wisdom and knowledge. She is sitti...
Category
20th Century Tribal African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
US Sculptures
Located in Giza Governorate, EG
Through its functionality “US” draws on the instant in
which we see each other; and light up. The energy within us
flows, we come together finally whole, a moment in which
darknes...
Category
2010s Modern African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Polyester, Wood
Ashanti Headrest Stool Carved Wood Tribal Art Ghana Africa
Located in Leuven , BE
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...
Category
Early 20th Century African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Ashanti Mother and Child Maternity Figure Carved by Osei Bonsu, Ghana
By Osei Bonsu
Located in Austin, TX
A fine Ashanti maternity figure by the master carver Osei Bonsu. The mother figure is seated on a simple backless chair. An infant lays calmly in her la...
Category
1930s Tribal Vintage African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
African carved hardwood figure of a Maasai warrior, signed, circa 1930
Located in Central England, GB
This superb beautifully carved hardwood sculpture is of a native African Maasai warrior sitting in a semi kneeling pose. He has powerful masculine featu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Primitive African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
Ceramic Pumpkin , hand made in South Africa
By Love Art Ceramic
Located in North Miami, FL
Love Art Ceramics is a talented group of African artists known for creating lovely, unique pieces, all made entirely by hand. This time, they crafted a stunning pumpkin piece featuri...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Bamana Mask on a Custom Wooden Stand
Located in Long Island City, NY
Bamana Mask on a custom ebony wood stand.
Category
20th Century African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Ebony Benin Kingdom, Bust Carving Of A Young Nigerian Warrior, 1970's
By People from Benin
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Hand carved ebony hardwood bust of a young Benin warrior
Traditionally carved Benin artistry
Circa 1970
Height 10.75 inch, Width 5.5 inch, Depth 2.75 inc...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ebony
Abron Drum Attendant Standing Figure Arms Out, Ghana, Early 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Namji Doll with Beads, Cowries, Coins and Metal Rings, Cameroon Mid 20th century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Sometimes referred to as dolls, this is a highly abstract figure with conical head, arms and legs held out from body, long columnar neck wrapped with mulitple strands of different si...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
African Rosewood Hand Carved Sculpture of Holy Mary Holding Baby Jesus
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Midcentury African rosewood sculpture wonderfully hand carved depiction of the Virgin Mary with Jesus Child, with great detailing and beautiful face.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Rosewood
Mid-Century Carved Female Bust in Ebony Hardwood W/ Herringbone Pattern
Located in New York, NY
This beautifully made Mid-Century Carved Female Bust in Ebony Hardwood W/ Herringbone Pattern originates from Kenya, Circa 1960. This sculpture is carved from a single piece of ebony...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage African Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ebony
