Tribal Decorative Objects

Name: Late afternoon in winter Sculptural stool by Hiroyuki Nishimura and zone carved furniture Material: Cherry This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most o...

Cardinal #8 Sculpture by Hiroyuki Nishimura. Material Zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood used for his works are unable to use anythin...

Oblong wooden box with inlaid shells. Created from bamboo or other similar material, this decorative box features white seashells in a tribal black and white design. At the top, blac...

Televisore Lunga 2 Sculpture. Also it can be used as magazine or newspaper rack. Material: white oak This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood used fo...

Old family tree of the Makonde tribe, Tanzania, 1960s An ancient sculpture called “Family Tree” hand carved by an artist from the Makonde tribe living in Tanzania. The sculpture is m...

A male necklace from the Asmat Village, Papua New Guinea. Two rows of large polished shells in concentric rows, seamlessly sewn onto a cotton macramé base, which has been hand-knott...

Decorative Tribal Vessel African Leather Milk Jug 2 8 h x 5 d x 7 w Original vintage condition Refer to images listed

A antique hand carved tribal sculpture from the Batak People, northern Sumatra, called a Singa Singa. This antique hand-carved tribal sculpture from the Batak People of Northern Suma...

Gabonese late 20th century reliquary figure hand carved by the Kota Mahongwe people depicting a figure in a shocked expression, crafted of hammered brass, copper strips and ebonized ...

A set of three tribal style resin and natural fiber bowls attributed to Maitland Smith. Sculptural spoon shaped bowls with long slender over-arching handles are decorated with tessel...

A wooden sculpture of two stylised black and white casqued Hornbill, likely originating from the Senufo people of the Ivory coast, Mali, and Burkina Faso. The circular base suggest...

Name: A thread windings Sculptural stool by Hiroyuki Nishimura and zone carved furniture Material: Machilus This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of woo...

Ashanti Bronze Ceremonial Offering Bowl with Mudfish and Adinkra Symbols Ghana Finely worked Ashanti ceremonial brass plate with hammered designs of a ...

Tribal style clay bust sculpture. Unusual tribal style / African style artist clay bust from the 20th century. This unique colorful artist sculpture depicts a tribal figure.

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...

Betel Nut is consumed on a daily basis in a large portion of the Indonesian Archipelago. In Sumba, like many parts of Indonesia betel nut was offered as a sign of respect and hospita...

Tall slender seated wood figure with long slender legs clasped at chest, holding fruit by feet. Carribean Islands or French Polynesia, Mid 20th century It is in good condition with ...

African Democratic Republic of the Congo 20th Century carved wood 2-headed nail fetish guardian figure (\"Yombe Nkisi Nkonde\"), a roped bundle on his back entwined around embedded m...

African Gabon / Democratic Republic of the Congo 20th Century carved wood figural reliquary staff in flattened geometric form features a curved head with inlaid textured copper, 2 co...

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...

Abstract and sculptural, this wooden form demonstrates the timeless appeal of African art. Hand-carved to an hourglass shape, the unusual figure is actually a grinding mortar, compri...

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...

This is an extremely rare presentation basket from the Tutsi people of Rwanda. This pyece is exceptional in its rarity because of its size. The piece would have been woven around 194...

Gabonese 20th c. Reliquary hand made by the Kota people depicting a 2-sided / faced abstract figure with domed eyes and hooked noses, crafted from carved wood, copper and bronze

Buried with their flared mouths facing down, these cylindrical storage vessels protected the deceased's possessions as they transitioned to the afterl...

A rare example of a Churinga with the ritual painting not having been removed.

African Angola 20th carved wood Century Chokwe Ancestor Chibinda Ilunga figure (the hero Chibinda Ilunga, royal ancestor of the Chokwe) with headdress, seated while holding a cornuco...

African Democratic Republic of the Congo 20th Century male nail fetish guardian figure (\"Yombe Nkisi Nkonde\") carved from a single piece of wood, encased and hidden beneath a netwo...

Gabonese 20th century fetish statue of a standing male figure with a raised and open left hand and nails driven into the abdomen, hand carved from a single piece of wood

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...

After the original Benin bronzes, this statue depicts a large standing leopard with an upturned tail and unusually long legs, from the mid-20th century made in the same casting metho...

Gabonese late 20th c. reliquary figure of the Ambete people, hand carved and pigmented in red and white, the depicted figure has a broad sloping brow, a mouth agape and standing in a...

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

Tutsi ceremonial dance shield. Rwanda-Burundi Second quarter, 20th century. Wood, natural pigment Provenance: Colonial period collection, Belgium...

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...

A terracotta jar from the island of Java once used for storing dyes used for crafting traditional batik textiles. The jar dates to the early 20th century. There is visible wear to th...

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...

Early Ghost Like Kumu Mask With Kaolin Open Eyes Mouth Teeth, Congo, Africa It is in good condition with wear, polish and erosion from traditional use, appropriate for its age, use,...

This large animal sculpture is actually a traditional African slit drum, a percussive instrument commonly carved from a single block of wood. Comprised of a hollow resonance chamber ...

This Piece is very primitive. Its a mid to early 20th century piece. Its carved from Ebony ironwood and depicts a woman kneeling. It was made in Nigeria.. The carving is very detailed.

This is a well relief carved Jewelry box. It was probably made on the west coast of Africa. It looks to depict the heads of 3 Jaguars in relief.

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...

20th century woven cane fabric beater from the Lega People of D. R. Congo A sculptural piece of African utilitarian ware used to beat the dust out of fabric as it would hang on a ...

Kenya tribal wood headrest, stylized natural animal form, early 20th century, African. Early Rendille or Borana Headrest from Kenya. Using naturally found branch connections to form a stylized three legged animal form, these headrests were a treasured personal item...

19th century hammer currency, Ensuba, Bafia People, Cameroon Sometimes referred to as potato masher currency, but known to the Bafia people as ensuba,...

Beautiful museum quality, wooden head rest. Stunning patina on this rare piece of art from Sudan. Hand carved from a single block of wood by the Dinka tribe....

This sculpture is from West Africa. It depicts a Yoruba woman kneeling. It was made in Nigeria.

This sculpture is cast from a composite. It depicts a Mother Foo Dog with her pup. The piece is finely detailed.

Betel Nut is consumed on a daily basis in a large portion of the Indonesian Archipelago. In Java, betel nut was offered as a sign of respect and hospitality when people would visit o...

Yoruba Carved Figure Nigeria Tribal African Sculpture Beaded Figure A compelling and finely carved Yoruba wooden figure from Nigeria, representing the rich artistic heritage and spiritual symbolism of West African tribal culture. This striking sculpture depicts a male figure adorned with traditional beaded necklaces and waist ornaments, embodying status, identity, and ceremonial significance within Yoruba society. The figure is carved with a strong, stylised form, featuring an elongated head, expressive facial features, and a poised stance that reflects the distinctive aesthetics of Yoruba artistry. The addition of original beadwork in deep blue and natural tones enhances its visual appeal while reinforcing its cultural authenticity and ritual importance. The surface displays a beautifully aged patina, with subtle wear consistent with time and handling, giving the piece a warm, tactile quality highly valued by collectors of African tribal art and ethnographic sculpture. The metal elements held in the hands further add to its symbolic and decorative complexity. Compact yet powerful in presence, this figure is ideal for luxury interiors, curated collections, gallery displays, or as a statement decorative object, bringing depth, history, and global sophistication to any setting. Provenance: Private UK Collection Dimensions: Height: 25 cm Origin: Nigeria Material: Carved wood with bead adornment and metal elements Period: 20th Century Condition: Excellent vintage condition with age-related wear, patina, and minor surface variations, consistent with authenticity and use. A striking Yoruba sculpture...

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...

Riccardo SCARPA (1905-1999, Italy) : "Portrait of a young African" Black varnished patinated terracota showing a cute portrait of a young african kid hairdressed with typical tribal...

A Batak architectural carved-wood house panel from Northern Sumatra (Sumatera Utara) in the Indonesian Malay archipelago. This vintage carved house fragment from the Batak peoples of...

Sometimes called a "Bura bell" due to its shape, this sculptural terra cotta object was part of the Bura tribe's burial ritual. Buried with its flared mouth facing down, this cylindrical storage...

This Antique Pair of Ottoman Empire Tinned Copper Cauldrons, dating to the mid-19th century, exemplify the high-quality craftsmanship typical of the Ottoman period. These cauldrons w...

Moroccan vintage, 1960's green olive jar, or planter with handles. Handcrafted by the berber people in Tamgroute Morocco. Great glazed earthenware with different hues of green and black. A pair is available, slightly different glaze, Top diameter is 10" inside opening is 7" D. Jar is 38" H x 20" D in the widest part. Wonderful green and brown shimmering that can be found only in south Morocco in the village of Tamgroute. The color and texture is a result of the particular alchemy created by the potters of Tamegroute and remains a family affair handed down through the generations. Each pottery piece is completely unique and no two are ever the same. Please note that the traditional method in which the plates are fired involves stacking which result in tiny ‘scars’ inside the plate and in the glaze making, each bowl is unique the beauty is found in the imperfection of each piece. Tamegroute pottery are true showpieces showing that even imperfect can be perfect. Tamegroute remains the only rural pottery in Morocco using oxidized copper which creates its famous green color. Its potteries are also the only location where you will find their unique forms. The process however remains much the same. Clay is dug up from the local Draa river banks, thrown by hand & fired inkilns built into steep slopes using a single firing. Vintage green glazed pottery...

A tall Ibibio wood mask from Nigeria, Africa, circa 20th century. The head mask was carved in with a frontal face with pierced eyes and a gapping mouth. On his head, a stylized hat ...

Unusual dramatic and large ceremonial female figure from New Guinea hand made with carved wood and mixed media.

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

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...