Sub-Saharan African Mounted Objects

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...

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...

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

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...

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...

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 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...

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 ...

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...

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...

Bamileke beaded Collar or Torque, Cameroon Private collection Brussels

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...

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...

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

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...

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...

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...

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.

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

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...

African Copper Currency Sculpture. Dimensions: Taller: 15"H x 11.5"W Shorter: 13.75" x 10.5.

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 ...

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