African Folk Art

Superb Large Antique Maasai Shield – East Africa Origin: Kenya/Tanzania, East Africa Culture: Maasai Period: early 20th century Material: Hide, natural pigments, and wood Dimensio...

African Tribal Fine Large Somalian Gashan Shield Fine old hide shield with hammered etched geometric design on front and back A Historic collectable and great Interior design ele...

This beautiful sculpture by an unknown artist, depicting a Ndebele. Despite of occasionally mistakenly attributed to Carl Hagenauer is it undoubtedly a masterpiece. In earlier times,...

Named the ‘Bowl of the Traitor’ by German Egyptologist Hermann Schlögl, this finely inscribed fragment from a ritual vessel is believed to have belonged to Udjahorresnet, one of the ...

A finely cast ancient Egyptian bronze cat head crowned with a scarab. The triangular face, elegantly modelled with tapering muzzle, incised whisker...

Yoruba female figure, rare example dressed in old cowrie covered cloak. an Ibeji or twin figure, rare example dressed in old cowrie covered cloak, Nigeria, Africa, well loved with ve...

Wood three legged chair with openwork geometric back, from the Gurage or Oromo people, Ethiopia, Vintage Africa Carved of a single piece of wood, this was a chair for an important p...

Hand carved ebony hardwood bust of a young Benin warrior Traditionally carved Benin artistry Circa 1970 Height 10.75 inch, Width 5.5 inch, Depth 2.75 inc...

A finely modeled and beautifully proportioned example, this large Ushabti figure is a masterpiece of the type. As per the custom, he is depicted mummiform, wearing a striated tripar...

This beautifully preserved fragment is boldly sculpted in raised relief on a coarse grained sandstone. It features a portion of two columns of hieroglyphs which enumerate a hymn or...

Collection of Six Dan and Bassa Passport Miniature Masks Ivory Coast Africa Dan and Bassa passport masks were small masks for individuals carried as charms for protection and healin...

Carved wood large female Songye Kifwebe mask with classic white lines, blackened ridge down crest of forehead, nose and mouth. Worn holes around back edge of mask from attachment of...

A wonderful hand carved wood Kifwebe mask created by the Songye and Luba peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kifwebe mask are used by the Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe secret socie...

Intriguing good looking mask artistically made of combination of hand crafted beads ,shells , and hand painted wood. To make such a exceptional object of art for display. Custom-mad...

The African wood female bust figurative sculpture of a Mandinka woman is a striking piece of art that encapsulates the cultural heritage and craftsmanship of West Africa. Hand-carved...

This magnificent and large Late Period round-topped stele is deftly carved in shallow sunk relief. Below the arching top we find a winged solar-disk flanked by two uraei, and two sym...

Pair of hand-carved hardwood stools attributed to the Oromo people of Ethiopia, 1970s. Each stool is sculpted from a single block of dense wood, with a broad concave seat supported b...

African Gabon Late 20th Century carved wood Galwa mask in tapered ovoid form with overlapping brow, protruding angular nose, geometric eye and mouth holes, 2 side holes plus a styliz...

Kuba (Bushong) Raffia Fiber Textile Panel From Woman’s Skirt The Bushong people are one of the largest and most dominant ethnic groups within the Kuba Kingdom in the DR Congo, and h...

A Pair of Inkangara Prestige Baskets Rwanda or Burundi, Tutsi and Hutu peoples 20th century (1960s/1970s) Left H 13 ins (33 cm); D 7 ins (17.5 cm) Right H 13.5 ins (34...

Matching rare pair of male twin figures "Ibeji" from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, Africa, created in the early 20th century. remains of Reckitts blue (laundry bleach) bluing in hai...

An authentic large wooden “plank” mask from the Nafana people of West Africa, mid-20th century. Hand-carved with bold geometric forms and stylized facial features, this piece was tra...

Early and rare mask from Gabon, Central Africa, created by the Tsogho peoples. Powerful large mask with carved open eyes, and black painted eyes above, below heavy carved eyebrows. ...

A dazzling and dynamic composition, this brightly illustrated limestone stele fragment is dedicated to 'Penbuy,' a noted craftsman working in the Valley of the Kings and part of the ...

Created and used from the late 19th century into the 20th century, Dan passport masks served as personal talismans with spiritual connection and as portable identification symbol rep...

Finely carved with detailed naturalistic features and adornments, this black lacquered and patinated wooden dance mask was made by the Baoulé people of the Ivory Coast during the mid...

A magnificent example, in both quality and condition, this beautifully preserved heart scarab is carved masterfully from a rich greenstone. The head, wingcase and legs are all well ...

Antique Papua New Guinea Hand-Carved Tribal Mask, Sepik River Region, Early 20th Century An evocative and finely crafted tribal mask from Papua New Guinea, likely originating from the Sepik River region, renowned for its powerful ceremonial art and expressive visual traditions. This striking mask is constructed from handwoven vegetal fibers, rather than carved wood, reflecting a distinct regional approach within Papua New Guinea ceremonial arts. The bold facial composition features exaggerated eyes, pronounced contours, and graphic detailing—hallmarks of Sepik-influenced ritual objects. The surface displays a rich, naturally aged patina with visible wear and tonal variation consistent with age, ritual handling, and long-term environmental exposure. Hand-applied pigments in multiple colors further enhance its visual impact and ceremonial character. Masks of this type were traditionally used in spiritual and ceremonial contexts, often associated with ancestral reverence, initiation rites, or protective symbolism within village life. Today, such works are highly sought after by collectors of tribal and ethnographic art, as well as interior designers seeking objects with strong cultural narrative and sculptural presence. A compelling sculptural object whether displayed on a wall or as a standalone accent, this mask brings depth, history, and a sense of the primal to any refined interior or curated collection. Condition: Good antique condition with age-appropriate wear, surface patina, and minor irregularities consistent with traditional hand-weaving, hand-painting, and use. No restorations observed. Authentic Early 20th-century Papua New Guinea masks...

Late 19th Century Hide Shield, Amarro People, Ethiopia A shield from the Amarro people of Ethiopia, this is a more unusual type with raised bumps over the entire surface. The rolled...

Carved wood powerful portrait of a Makonde man with a traditional lip plug in his upper lip, high carved cheek bones in the form of a finely carved helmet mask, with attached hair on...

Leather Shield, South Sudan A small leather shield typical of the region known as an upwal, concave hide is attached to a reed spine with plaiting to form a strong grip. Mounted on ...

Vintage Nupe of Nigeria thinly cast hollow bronze purse or container, probably created by the lost wax process with attached bronze bells and rings. Hollow with fine overlaid designs...

Geometric Barmbara Sukuru Animal Mask with horns, teeth, from Mali, West Africa. Inserted wood teeth, abstract face with open eyes, with raised eyebrows and framed face. Old native...

Ngaady aMwaash Mask. African Antique Folk Art Kuba Mask, originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Property from a Private Collection. Acquired by a Norwegian Collector...

Traditional antique circa 1940s Collectible women face veil from the Sinai Bedouin Desert Garment Nikab framed in a lucite box. Museum quality well preserved Middle Eastern Bedouin women face veil, from the Bedouin tribes of the Sinai Desert. Face veil for a Bedouin Women, North Sinai Egypt or Palestine Mid 20th C. An amazing Niqab, Negev Bedouin veil from Palestine or Egypt. Worked on a base of thin red silk and cotton embroidery with antique Ottoman nickel silver coins, glass beads, wool, embroidered, stones, carnelians, glass, and amber. Mid 20th century, circa 1940-50s typical Middle Eastern traditional Arabian Bedouin, Egyptian, Palestinian face mask, garment, head dress, tribal jewelry, bridal veil. Showing heavily decorated in the bottom with silver nickel hands amulets for the Evil Eye protection and early textiles (wool and silk) and tassels hanging down. Face coverings were worn for centuries by the women of various nomadic tribal groups of North Africa and the Middle East. In the western desert of Egypt, Berber women living in Bedouin societies sometimes wear masks or veils called niqab. The veils serve multiple functions, including protecting the women’s face from sun damage, filtering dust from the air, displaying adornment, and demonstrating wealth or status. The niqab worn by Bedouin women on special occasions are sometimes elaborately decorated with coins and beads, like this one. Such masks are not for everyday use; they would be too hot and heavy. They are worn during special events, such as weddings and feasts. Face veil: 12" W x 19" L, circa 1915-1930. Last pictures are references from the book: "Traditional Palestinian Embroidery...

Old and well used Luba wood medicine mortar with classic carved Luba face, DRC Africa. The mortar is heavily worn with deep polished surface outside from many years of use, and the i...

Fon carved heavy hard wood ceremonial seat with multiple figures, from Benin, Africa. Dark stained wood with worn areas from use, "U" shaped seat supported by four caryatid figures, ...

Light masks like these represented the spirit of an ancestor and were used for social control by Ngil, the judiciary association. The facial markings, abstract features and strong, e...

A hand-carved partially painted (natural pigments) Lega/kwele/bakwele mask. Artisan made in Congo circa 1960-80 and brought back to Denmark by a Danish traveller. It is executed in u...

This old mask has a custom made stand and was used in initiation ceremonies. Lega masks always have special facial shapes. It is from one piece of wood cut and has beautiful geometri...

African Tribal folk Art figure A very finely executed large sculpture of a African Christian Madonna, the standing figure wearing a long robe with he...

Elegant vintage designer Moroccan kaftan, purple violet color velvet embroidered with Turkish gold threads design all-over. This is an Ottoman styl...

Kuba (Bushong) Raffia Fiber Textile Panel From Woman’s Skirt The Bushong people are one of the largest and most dominant ethnic groups within the Kuba Kingdom in the DR Congo, and h...

A Small Egyptian Bronze Statue of Harpocrates, Circa 1st Century B.C. / 1st Century A.D. The left hand holds the horn of abundance. Provenanc...

A beautifully preserved example, this superb sandstone head depicts an official wearing a smooth shoulder-length headcloth, over large naturalistic ears and fleshy, round face. The...

Heads of a king, like this one, became popular in the Late and Ptolemaic periods and may have been used as models for sculptors or votive offerings. In the form of a bust of a pharao...

This striking and rather curious object is the curved fragment preserving an edge of a monumental granite vessel. It features hieroglyphs along both the broad front side of the fragm...

An incredible early 20th century Makenge hand-built ceramic palm wine pot with a graceful shape including a narrow neck and a wide belly. The pot is covered ...

Interesting African tribal sculpted statue made of iron or lead. It almost appears that the materials used were taken from a sunken ship. Look closely at...

Drum-shaped body with geometric tribal motifs, brass nail decoration, and a beautiful aged patina. Its unique form, reminiscent of a turtle with a long neck, features two sturdy sid...

This exquisite faience amulet is an Aegis featuring the head of Amun-Re. The god is seen here taking on the form of a ram, wearing a striated tripartite wig and sun disc fronted by ...

Sculpted in sunk relief, this superb sandstone carving features a pharaoh facing right, wearing a broad collar and either the Red Crown or Double Crown fronted by a uraeus. He prese...

A fantastic, wonderfully designed African tribal art Korhogo Textile painting by the Senufo people of Korhogo, Ivory Coast. Korhogo textile painting (This type of cloth painting c...

Yoruba male figure, rare example dressed in old cowrie covered cloak. an Ibeji or twin figure, rare example dressed in old cowrie covered cloak, Nigeria, Africa, well loved with very...

Large vintage hand-carved from one piece of solid wood African Tribal mask richly decorated with intricate tribal motifs. Beautifully hand carved, painted details, it has a hook, re...

African Guinea 20th Century carved wood iconic Baga \"Nimba\" helmet shoulder mask (AKA \"D\'mba\") representing female energy & fertility, protector of pregnant women. Wear to fini...

Truly a majestic Benin Oba. Beautifully and finely hand carved in Ebony hardwood from the 1930's A piece of this quality and stature holds enormous presence...

A large, rare, and most impressive antique hand carved and painted wood and metal stylized antelope African folk art sculpture with beautifully aged distressed patina. Handmade in East Africa, dating to around the late 19th / early 20th century, possibly earlier, this scarce, one-of-a-kind, museum quality work, features a richly detailed patinated bronze head and tail with etched textural elements, tall ears and faux ringed...

This set of two canopic jars represents unequivocal masterpieces of the type. Carved out of a beautifully rich white veined caramel alabaster, both jars are deftly executed and of r...

Adire “Oniko” Cloth with spiral pattern Yoruba People, Nigeria Circa 1970s Two panel cotton, Shibori technique, Indigo Dyed 71 3/4 x 48 1/2 inches