Tribal Decorative Objects

The Mangbetu people focused on highly realistic art forms. From the spout formed to look like hair, through the face, and down to the gourd shaped base, this jug seamlessly transitio...

A terracotta jar from the island of Java, Indonesia with an elongated spout. Jugs such as these would have been used to store, water, oil and other liquids. The age related markings ...

African Kota People, Gabon Carved, Metal Reliquary Pipe on Stand, 20th Century Offered for sale is an African hand-carved wood and hammered metal reliquary pipe on stand from the Ko...

A hand-carved effigy of mother and child from the Dayak tribe in Borneo, mounted on a black metal stand. Ancestral figures were important in Dayak culture as a means of spiritual p...

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...

TRIBAL ART Large traditional puppet figurine with articulated arms. Polychrome hardwood resting on its steel base. A favorite for this old puppet figurin...

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...

2 Asian glazed earthenware jardinieres/cache pot with flower and animal decorations on an octagonal base (PRICED EACH)

In an exclusive collaboration with pagoda red, Chicago artist the bms. adds a contemporary twist to our collection of one-of-a-kind African art objects. Guided by its geometric line work, the bms. uses...

Giraffe by José Jerónimo single piece of art Iron sculpture with use of tools and other objects Signed Measures: 81 x 41 x 15 cm. Private collection.

A unique tofu grinder sculpture, hand-carved out of a single large piece of reclaimed wood. From Indonesia, circa 1950. Original untouched color. The hole...

African Bronze Tribal Style Bust from Cameroon, 20th Century, Great Patina Offered for sale is large life-size cast bronze African bust from Cameroon. The bust has great details a...

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...

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...

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...

Original Tamegroute eathernware pitcher with vivid iconic deep green glaze specific to this small town on the edge of the Sahara. This version showing the qualities of earlier pieces...

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...

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...

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...

African Nigeria 20th Century Yoruba carved wood male figure with the head and body wrapped in rope. He is standing on a tripod stool, holding a staff to his chin in pensive contempla...

African carved wooden Kafigueledio Senoufo fetish figure with face and body concealed with coarse cloth and raffia Good, showing patina including soiled cloth, scattered nicks, scra...

A large antique hand carved tribal sculpture from the Batak People, northern Sumatra, called a Singa Singa. Behold the striking allure of this large antique hand-carved Singa Singa, ...

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 Gabon 20th Century carved wood reliquary guardian figure in a basket featuring an inlaid brass oval head with protruding nose, hoop earrings, feathered headress, beaded neckl...

African Cote d’Ivoire 20th Century Baule large textile heddle pulley / female figure carved from a single piece of wood with an elaborately incised headdress and symmetric face forki...

Gabonese 20th c. fetish figure hand carved and pigmented wood by the Ambete people of Gabon, with a cowrie shell necklace and raffia grass skirt

Gabonese 20th c. blacksmiths bellows hand crafted by the Tsogo people, depicting an anthropomorphic figure with a white pigmented and carved face, with 2 drum bellows in the abdomen ...

Gabonese 20th c. wooden wishbone shaped heddle pulley, hand carved by the Tsogo people with the scarified head of man at the top and wrapped burlap around an elongated neck

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...

Beautiful classic Chokwe mask genre that honours female founding ancestors. Such representations are particularly significant as the Chokwe trace the descent through the lines of their mothers. This is thought to be a dance mask with a net and wood hairstyle, from the Batshokwe people skilled in the art of carving and of very ancient origin belonging to the culture of the divine monarchy. The Batshokwe sculptors were the most famous in the region, masters in geometric decorations such as the depiction of scarifications and tooth deformations, the surfaces of their works were carefully smoothed and polished. On the forehead of the mask, the classic chinge-lyengelye scarification is clearly visible, commonly interpreted as a variant of the Portuguese cross...

Artist made by Famous Brothers Haiti ,circa 1940's

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...

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...

Vintage abstract tribal figure depicting a snake descending a torso

Vintage abstract tribal figure in the form of a container

Vintage carved figure of a male dancer with cross hatched ear design

Vintage Asian small multicolored enamel decorated vase with flowers and a cloisonné design

Very good cast of a Benin bonze head, probably mid 20th century From the Benin Tribe of Africa comes this beautiful bronze head

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

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...

African Congo 20th-Century hand carved Teke male figure wrapped in a raffia burlap Good/Fair, showing patina including rubbing and variations to finish, soiling to fabric, hairlines...

African Mali Late 20th Century bronze Dogon seated village elder male figure made with the lost wax process, wearing a conical hat, amulet, a smiling facial expression and stylized b...

Ghanaian 20th century mirrored fertility doll hand carved by the Ashanti people depicting a figure with exaggerated brows, serpentine shapes over the head and upper body and a mirror...

Bronze relief plaque from the Kingdom of Benin, Nigeria, cast using the traditional lost-wax technique typical of Edo royal workshops. Depicting two warriors in ceremonial armour, standing side by side and wearing conical headdresses — the symbol of palace rank and military authority. The background shows interlaced floral motifs representing cosmic order and royal hierarchy. The brown-green oxidation and natural surface encrustation indicate a long period of ageing consistent with a pre-1920 casting. Visible casting seams, manual tool marks, and the non-industrial porosity on the reverse confirm traditional Edo craftsmanship rather than later reproductions. The rectangular perforations along the edges were used to attach the plaque to wooden pillars inside the Royal Palace of Benin City, where such reliefs celebrated the Oba’s lineage and military victories. Comparable plaques are held in: The British Museum, London (Af1898,0105.1–3) Weltmuseum, Vienna (inv. 35.456) Ethnologisches Museum, Berlin (Benin bronze plaques...

Wooden African sculpture of a human figure standing on the back of a leopard.  

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...

Handmade fired clay decorative bowl with central eye motif and labyrinth pattern throughout. The rough textured surface and exterior of bowl is a wonderful and unique display of thi...

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 ...

This remarkable yellow vase by French designer Vanessa Mitrani exemplifies her celebrated approach to glass as a living, experimental material. Hand-blown directly over an authentic ...

A functional mirror for a dressing room, or wooden masks and sculpture for your living or your entrance. The drop-shaped mask Bikita is made of solid beech wood stained Canaletto walnut, with a brass element on the mirror. The base is an iron stand black lacquered, but upon request it is possible to have a metal wall hook. The project Wise Mirrors recalls the 3 Wise Men...

A vintage Tanzanian wooden trough, circa 1940. Hand-carved out of blonde wood. Contains a metal patch. Can be used as an indoor decorative object, ...

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...

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....

Bamana tribe art is known for masks, textiles and architectural elements. This Y-shaped post supported a heavy roof timber and acted as a welcoming symbol...

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

Caribbean Carved Wood Painted Sculptures Offered for sale is a pair of carved wood and painted Caribbean sculptures of elongated women. These 20th-century carvings show the Afro-Car...

A single piece of solid mango wood, hand carved into a standing cone, circa 1960. Use it as door stoppers, or in a group for an eye-catching accent in any rustic or eclectic decor, i...

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...

Noted for its individualistic, egalitarian, and progressive society, the Baule of Cote D'Ivoire were master craftspeople. This chair features their characteristically well polished w...

Receiving guidance from tribal ancestors was a central aspect of the Luba people's spiritual practices. This ceramic spiritually significant vessel is topped with a crossed leg figure whose head has an opening critical for a divination ritual. Known as an mboko, this handled vessel would have been filled with items like antelope horns, shells, dried beetles, human teeth...