Sub-Saharan African Mounted Objects

A Pair of Copper Currencies: “Katanga Crosses” Central African Copper Belt (DR Congo, Zambia or Zimbabwe) Cast copper, archaeological patina Size each:...

Immerse yourself in the rich cultural of the Mbole people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with this exquisite pair of 20th-century Mbole copper currency cuffs. Mounted on cus...

Large 8 inch Split Ammonite Mounted Fossil Set Jurassic - Cretaceous Period, 200 - 145 million years old The cutting and polishing of this large pair revealed pale yellow-brown, cal...

Matched Pair Split Ammonite fossil mineral specimens Jurassic - Cretaceous Period, 200 - 145 million years old Measures: 5 x 4.25 x 0.5 in. / 13 x 10 x 1.5 cm Height on custom d...

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

Adorned with spiked braids, this prestigious custom mounted Ashetu hat embodies the cultural significance of the Bamum and Bamileke people of Cameroon, Central Africa, who revered th...

Early 20th Century Copper 'Mbole' Currency Measure : 25x13cm H:45cm Ø 23cm Materials and Techniques: Copper Place of Origin: Congo Period: Early 20th Century A stylistic distillati...

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...

This is an authentic antique Dogon door lock from the early 20th century, originating from the Dogon tribe of Mali. Beautiful hand-carved from wood, this piece is adorned with intri...

While shield and spear were central to African combat, this iron sword blade was most likely made to serve as a piece of trade currency. Many pre-colonization African currencies were...

This sculptural metal form is a Mbole currency anklet from the early 20th century. Worn by both men and women, this type of leg ornament (ambi) was worn at the ankle as ceremonial at...

An African iron currency blade or sword from Nkutshu, the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire), of the Topoke, Songo and Meno peoples, which is nicely presented upon a custom metal stand. Such blades were used by various tribal groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a form of currency. They were used to close a variety of important transactions such as land deals or the proposal of marriage. This African sword...

A pair of wonderfully sculptural early 20th century handwoven wicker shields from the Tamberma people of Togo, mounted on custom steel stands.

Six Knobkerries from South Africa A group of six knobkerries from South Africa, mounted together on a wooden base. These were originally used as weapons during battle but have evolv...

Large 8 Inch Ammonite Specimen Cut Polished and Mounted Fossil - Jurassic - Cretaceous Period, 200 - 145 million years old An excellent quality split ammonite fossil. We hand pick...

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...

Jurassic - Cretaceous Period, 200 - 145 million years old Dimensions: 8 × 6.25 × 0.75 in. / 20 × 16 × 2 cm Dimensions on custom display stands: 10.5 × 5.5 × 3.5 in. / 27 × 14 × 9 c...

This is a pair of African iron currency blade or sword currency from the Nkutshu, Topoke & Songo Meno peoples, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire) which are nicely presented upon custom metal stands. Such blades were used by various tribal groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a form of currency. They were used to close a variety of important transactions such as land deals or the proposal of marriage. These African sword...

A decorative wedding necklace from Ethiopia, circa 1980. Stitched in leather with bead and money cowry shells, plus metal trimmings. Mounted on a bespoke black metal stand.

With its many blades and dramatic form, this impressive throwing knife would have been a status symbol and a form of currency among the Ngombe peoples o...

Early 20th Century African Antique Wood Comb with Human Head From the Chokwe Culture of Angola. A fine, old, much used comb with a glossy, glasslike patina...

West African hand beaded head dress crown from Yoruba, Nigeria. This artistic beautiful and functional art piece is covered with beads in turquoise, orange, green, yellow red, blue ...

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...

Original 1950s South African scrimshaw ostrich egg by late chief Sipho Ndlvu depicting a pair of elephants.

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 ...

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...

Woman’s Back Ornament, egbe Mangbetu people DR Congo Early 20th century Banana leaves and bark,, raffia embroidery 14” long (35.5 cm); 10.5” high (26.5 cm); 3” deep (7.5 cm) The ...

This petite cone-shaped cap, known as laket, was created by an artisan of the Kuba peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The base is made of a simple woven raffia fabric, ...

Very important “Nwantamtay” dance African mask, consisting of three sections: The upper in plain rectangular shape surmounted by a crescent shape moon, the middle with beautiful geometric triangles in black bitumen and white kaolin, surrounding a red cruciform in the centre of remarkable contrasting colors, and the lower part or face inscribed in a circular space that inspired numbered great artists like Joan Miro, Picasso and Henry Moore of a very strongly solar symbolism, with a projecting protuberance emanating from the forehead like a sculpted bird beak, that descents toward the mouth. Concentric eyes harmonize with the circular mouth, both with of elegant proportions. The whole mask exudes a supreme harmony and perfect balance rarely seen in this pieces. The back-side presents nice ware that attested the ancient origin and traces of animistic ceremonies as the use of animal blood residues. The painting of brown bitumen or cola, the natural colorants in red and ocher tones and the white kaolin are original and do not show any repainted or restored areas, giving a freshness rarely seen in old pieces. This exceptional mask Bwa, of the Hound`e Region in Burkina-Fasso, was used it the transit ceremonies and funerals manifesting the presence of “Do”, name given to their God sons, protectors and powerful spirits. The round face also represents an owl, the curving beak of the bird plants a seed into the sun, like a female sexual vulva being fecundated by the male organ; the eternal symbol of Ying and Yang, masculine and feminine, and the quest of life and death. This mask of Primitive facture can be compared to the one in the celebrated Verite Collection (this one being larger) sold in Paris at the Hotel Drouot, Saturday June 17, Lot 59, for 80,000 Euros and remarkably stands out from the Pierre and Tannia Matisse sold in Sotheby’s, New York in May 13, 2011. Another similar piece was published in: “Arman et l’art africain...

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...

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

Original 1950s South African scrimshaw ostrich egg by late chief Sipho Ndlvu.

A unique old carved wood door latch that was created by the Dogon people in Mali, Africa. At some point in time it was salvaged and mounted on a custom modern metal stand. The carvin...

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...

Wonderful spear form currency with spiral loops below the spear head festooned with three 'bells' on each side. An appealing design executed by a master craftsman. Beautifully mounte...

Highly decorative African hand carved mask, in the style of a Goli tribal mask, Baule People, Ivory Coast. Mounted on a custom steel base. Measures: 23.75 inches high (including sta...

A rare repuse shield with natural fiber wraped handle from the Kirdi tribe Cameroon. Now on a patinated Bronze Stand. For a similar example please see- Benitez-Johannot, Purissim...

A wonderful set of five early 20th century iron phallus figures from Togo. Fertility figures like these were planted in the ground of a farmer's fiel...

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

Hoe-Shaped Currency "Mbili Ngbaka," Ngbaka, D.R. Congo 20th century Iron, accumulation 16 x 7 in. / 41 x 18 cm Height on custom display stand: 18.25 in. / 46 cm This interesting type of iron currency was used for major transactions such as dowry payments. The two wings added to the lower tips of the hoe underline the non-utilitarian character of this type of currency (Ballarini, "The Perfect Form...

19th Century Wood Pipe, Zulu People, South Africa A wonderfully carved abstract pipe from the Zulu people of South Africa. It measures 5.5 high as mounted on the custom metal base, ...

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...

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...

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

Stone mortar and pestle Nigeria 20th century Measures: Mortar: 21 x 15.5 x 2 in. / 53 x 39 x 5 cm Height on custom display stand: 26...

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...

Early 20th century Chiwara Headdress, Bamana (Bambara) People, Mali Chiwara headcrests represent the antelope spirit who taught the Bamana people ...

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 iron handle, the flattened blade has an elegant, sloping silhouette, subtly textured with concentric grooves 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...

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...

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...

Sculptural tribal chair from Ethiopia in the early 20th century. Made up of pieces of wood joined by archaic fasteners of the same wood and animal (probably goat) leather strips on t...

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...

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

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...

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

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...

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...

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