African Mounted Objects

These exquisite Neolithic bracelets from Mali are a captivating testament to ancient craftsmanship and ingenuity. Carved from limestone with natural crystalline veins coursing throug...

Exceptional artistically hand carved wood mask hand painted made of single piece of wood and was made for decorative purpose. Very intriguing and...

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...

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...

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...

African bronze and wood sculpture, with characters playing a game.

Handcrafted Moroccan Moorish amber painted glass perfume bottle or rose water sprinkler with raised embossed silvered metal floral design over amber glass. The pressed glass bottle in Art Deco, Art Nouveau style is oval shape with curved sides and hand decorated with embossed metal silvered overlay. This has a long metal top spout that unscrews. This is a recycled vintage French perfume...

African ceremonial sword from the democratic Republic of Congo, circa 1920s. Iron and wood, in a case made of cloth and animal skin. This status symbol tribal sword...

Mukuba (Hat), Bwami Society, Lega Culture, Democratic Republic of Congo 1st Half 20th Century Plant fiber, buttons, elephant tail hair, blue cloth 7...

Very impressive trio of hand carved African masks majestically displayed on custom tall iron stands in varying heights. Stands have bases that are 12” x 12” Tallest sculpture 86” Mid...

While shield and spear were central to African combat, this iron example was most likely made to serve as a piece of trade currency. Many pre-colonization African currencies were modeled after objects of inherent value, resulting in sculptural combinations of function and beauty. This large iron spear dates to the early 20th century and is attributed to the Kuba people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Secured to a narrow handle of iron and wood, the flattened blade has an elegant, sloping silhouette, subtly textured with raised lines and a rusted, antique patina. Forged as a broadleaf spear, the weapon contrasts a violent potential with images of peaceful branches swaying in the wind. We've set this unusual Kuba spear...

These door locks were generally used to protect houses and granaries.Bamana doorlocks range from the abstract and symbolic to representations of ancestors. They are usually larger an...

Authentic Tikar tribal spear from Cameroon, once used for lion hunting and still prominent in tribal ceremonies. This black-finished iron spear, with a sc...

Ruler Selenite with gold leaf on a Lucite base. Selenite logs are single, prismatic selenite crystals from Morocco that were formed in extensive beds by the evaporation of ocean brine. This mineral is characterized by a silky, pearly luster called satin spare. It is then lined with gold leaf which contrasts beautifully with the sleek selenite. Interi transforms Italian artifacts...

Ruler Selenite with gold leaf on a Lucite base. Selenite logs are single, prismatic selenite crystals from Morocco that were formed in extensive beds by the evaporation of ocean brine. This mineral is characterized by a silky, pearly luster called satin spare. It is then lined with gold leaf which contrasts beautifully with the sleek selenite. Interi transforms Italian artifacts...

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...

Knife From The Momvu Meje Mangbetu Tribe - Dr Congo Uele Region - 19th African Wear consistent with age and use Tribal Art - Congo - African Measures : 6cmx4,5cm H:31cm

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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

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...

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...

This is a pair of vintage African spear currencies from the Mbole peoples, Democratic Republic of Congo which are nicely presented upon custom m...

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...

This fascinating piece is an example of shovel currency, formerly used among the peoples of northern Nigeria as a form of monetary exchange. Forged iron would have been traded for go...

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...

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

The Double Gong bell originating from the Bamileke communities in Cameroon is a functional instrument played with wooden sticks.

Notched Dogon ladder created by the the West African Mali Peoples. Carved from a single piece of wood and situated on an iron base in order to stand upright. These ladders were used ...

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 enchanting Moroccan-style lantern is a masterwork of artisanal metalcraft and exotic design. Featuring an intricately hand-pierced and engraved metal frame, it showcases traditi...

A sculptural iron form once used as currency among the Mambila and Chamba peoples of northeastern Nigeria and the Cameroon highlands, this forged hoe-shaped object embodies the inter...

An early to mid-20th century Toguna support post from the Dogon Tribe of Mali, on custom metal stand. This West African hand carved wooden bean was origin...

Before the widespread adoption of coinage, many African societies developed sophisticated systems of exchange using forged metal objects as currency. These iron forms—used in marriag...

A Western Mongo tribal shield (Democratic Republic of the Congo) Carved hardwood with white pigement decoration. Now mounted on a patinated bronze Stand. A similar example can be...

Five ceremonial beaded flutes or whistles from the Cameroon grasslands. They come in various geometric forms, taking on the shape of a hollowed, stylized figure that combines human a...

An elegant Benin Iron Striker Bell with a double spiral finial on the top, and a lovely bell-shaped body. This is an extremely fine example of the African blacksmiths artistry. Kingd...

Nigerian currency crafted by the Fulani tribe. Outlawed in the 19th century by Colonel Phelps. The unusual forms and sizes of ethnographic currencies...

The Afo Bridal Currency was used in Nigeria until the early 1940s. This is also known as a "Chenkrom." Now mounted on a bronze stand.

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely original handmade Kenyan Turkana leather and iron bound fighting shield which has been expertly mounted to a Gillows quality hardwood a...

Large openwork crest mounted upon a woven basketry cap. The large, square decorative panel bears a central reptilian or stylized crocodile depiction with alternating squared painted ...

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

This Double Gong bell originating from the Bamileke communities in Cameroon is a functional instrument played with wooden sticks.

Congolese Fang Carved Mask Sculpture on a metal base. A "fang mask" refers to a type of ceremonial mask created by the Fang people, an ethnic group from Central Africa, primarily fo...

Bamileke beaded Collar or Torque, Cameroon Private collection Brussels