Tribal Decorative 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...

Primitive, raw, and completely spellbinding. This vintage boho terracotta vase is crowned with a circle of sculpted heads—each one expressive, haunting, and full of ancient mystique....

Hand carved Maori sculpture of a hunter carrying a crocodile and fish.

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...

Stunning Mid to Late 20th Century South American Tribal gourd bowls with hand carved floral details, a pair. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new s...

Small dancing Lobi figure with arms out, and cubist face from Ghana, West Africa. ex James Willis, San Francisco, CA. Damage to proper right hand, fingers absent. Heavy encrusted p...

Experience the beauty and authenticity of a 19th Century Nigerian Igbo Mask, a true cultural treasure. This stunning piece features intricate carvings and striking facial features th...

This striking, large-scale terracotta storage jar captivates with its raw, elemental presence and authentic aged surface. Handcrafted with traditional techniques, its robust, rounded...

Beautiful funerary terracotta urn called from the Bura region (Niger) in West Africa. This cylindrical anthropomorphic sculpture is adorned with geometric designs. It depicts a human...

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...

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 ...

African Togo / Benin Coast 20th Century carved and painted wood Mami Wata figure, in cylindrical form with an incised hair pattern, beckoning arms and coilin...

African Democratic Republic of the Congo 20th Century carved wood male nail fetish guardian figure (\"Yombe Nkisi Nkonde\") with inlaid glass over painted eyes, a human head in its b...

This spice box comes for the Island of Nias, Indonesia. Dating to the early 20th Century it was crafted from a single block of wood. It features a sliding lid, has an elegant wood te...

This tribal panel originates from the Batak tribe of Sumatra. The Batak are known for the elaborate decoration of their buildings and these decorative panel additions would have been...

Nigerian 20th c. female guardian figure hand carved in wood by the Ibibio people with a base made of a rope and fabric wrapped basket

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

Kananga masks form geometric patterns. These masks represent the first human beings and are normally made by carvers of the Awa society. The masks are worn during the Dama dancing ce...

Lorrkon hollow log. Artist: Bronwyn Kelly. Year of birth: 1974. Nationality: Australian. Region: West Central Arnhem Land. Language group: Kuninjku. M...

An early 20th century carved wood door panel from Timor Island in the Indonesian archipelago. This antique wall panel from Timor Island (an isl...

Interesting maternity figure in a hieratic pose presenting a young adolescent. Beautiful facial expression, showing wisdom and knowledge. She is sitti...

A pair of vintage Chinese winter boots on stand. This is a pair of Chinese leather winter boots that have been displayed on a custom black iron Stand. The boots are from the people b...

A pair of carved wood catfish head boat prows from Papua New Guinea. This pair of mid-20th century Papua New Guinean boat prows has been carved out of wood and features the head of a...

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...

Vintage abstract tribal figure in the form of a container

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...

Wandalà shield, from Cameroon/Chad. Made with cowhide and natural pigments. For a similar example see- Benitez-Johannot, Purissima and Jean Paul Barbier, Shields: Africa, Southea...

Chic bronze Brutalist tribal sculpture. A depiction of a tribal king. Rough hewn and signs of the hand work. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate

Antique container from Borneo made from aged buffalo hide with a natural organic rim. We discovered a beautiful patina after polishing. Great for holding ...

This Champagne K-OVER, inspired by the rich Maori culture and distinctive designs of New Zealand, is a standout piece from our Corporate Collection. Crafted from pure 999/°° silver...

A sculpted object of a deer with sculpture. A sculpture of a complex pattern directs a slightly different atmosphere.

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

Tribal Carved-Stone ‘Hear No Evil’ Sculpture. Republic of Congo, circa late 19th Century.