African Folk Art
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Place of Origin: African
Early 20th Century African Calabash
Located in Chicago, IL
Small leather Calabash from Africa
Dimensions: 10 in. height x 6 in. diameter with a 4.24 in. diameter opening.
Category
20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Leather, Wood
Bamana N'tomo mask, Mali, 20th century
Located in NICE, FR
Bamana N'tomo mask, Mali, 20th century
"Generally surmounted by three to eight horns forming a comb, the N'tomoface mask refers to a moment of compulsory education given to uncircumcised young boys in certain West African societies. The mask's discreet, even absent, mouth emphasizes the behavior expected of them in their future adult life after training: controlling and measuring their words, knowing how to keep quiet, preserving secrets and enduring pain in silence."
Excerpt from Masques du N'tomo, Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière Collection, Musée du Quai Branly Jacques Chirac, France.
The Bambara, or Bamana, live in central and southern Mali. Their name means “unbeliever” and was given to them by the Muslims. Animists, they believe in the existence of a creator god called Ngala, who maintains the order of the universe and coexists with another androgynous god called Faro, master of the Word, who gave all qualities to mankind and makes the fruits of the earth grow. Traditional Bamana art objects are closely linked to agrarian rites.
The Bamana dance these masks during initiation and circumcision ceremonies for young boys in the Ntomo society. The face, with its vertical outgrowths at the top, adopts geometric features beneath a rounded forehead, including an imposing busted nose, as the Bamana favor this organ in their statuary as it evokes sociability and clan cohesion. Indeed, during choreography, the dancer frequently touches the nose of the mask.
As teaching aids for candidates, masks from societies accessible to young boys and adults, such as the N'tomo, Korè and Ci wara...
Category
1930s Tribal Vintage African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Ndop Kuba Statue From The Kuba Ndengese Shoowa Tribe Dr Congo Kasaï African Art
Located in Leuven, BE
Exceptional royal Ndop statue From the Kuba / Ndengese / Shoowa tribe - DR Congo Kasaï region - Circa 1940-1950
Length = 56 cm
Perfect condition
Note : Image of individual kings
Alt...
Category
Mid-20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
Tuareg Tent Poles Mid-Century
Located in Wien, AT
These big wooden beams from bedouin tents from the Sahara were Mid-20 century made.
The rich carving gives information about the respective tribal affilia...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Cedar
Vintage Colorful Striped Tunisian Flat-Weave Rug
Located in Milan, IT
A colorful Tunisian Kilim decorated by a repeat pattern of horizontal stripes arranged in clusters of different width and palette. A very happy piece ce...
Category
1950s Tribal Vintage African Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Masque tribal en alliage de bronze ancien Mid - century
Located in THONON-LES-BAINS, FR
Masque tribal présumé Sénufo en alliage bronzier ancien circa 1950. D'une patine du temps vert de gris oxydée, ce masque est une création artisanale de talent et unique. Il représent...
Category
Mid-20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
Antique carved wooden headdress from the Yoruba tribe, Nigeria, 1900-1920
By Yoruba Tribe
Located in Bilzen, BE
A carved wooden headdress from the Yoruba tribe, Nigeria
Strong expression face
Early 20th century
Rich tribal aged patina
Heigth 12 cm, diameter 12 x 13 cm
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Moorish Ceramic Glazed Covered Urns Handcrafted in Fez Morocco
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large pair of Moorish Moroccan glazed polychrome ceramic jars tureen with cover.
Hand painted ceramic Jubbana, handcrafted by skilled Moroccan artisans in Fez Morocco.
Moorish desi...
Category
20th Century Moorish African Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Moroccan Berber Henna-Dyed Woman's Ceremonial Head Scarf
Located in Milan, IT
A very finely woven wool veil of an unusual format, sparsely embellished with touches of embroidery, used as a head cover in the wedding ceremony among the Ait Abdallah Berber people...
Category
1930s Tribal Vintage African Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Haussa People, Nigeria, Dagger with Organic Handle
Located in Leuven , BE
Beautifully crafted dager from Nigeria (Haussa People) with an organic handle.
Hausa people are frond in northwestern Nigeria and adjacent southern Ni...
Category
20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Fine 19th/Early 20th Century Luba/Kusu Fetish Figure
Located in London, GB
This fine figure, from the Luba/Kusu culture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dates back to the early twentieth-century or before, to the nineteenth-century. The carved figur...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
African Urembo Beaded Vintage Necklace Choker by the Maasai Tribe Kenya
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage African Urembo beaded necklace choker.
Handmade in Kenya by the maasai tribe.
Urembo means “beauty” and the handmade pattern and unique ...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art African Folk Art
Materials
Beads
Vintage Orientalist Oil on Canvas A Portrait of A Young Girl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Orientalist oil on canvas portrait of a young girl, painting depicting an orientalist girl dressed in traditional garments.
Meticulous atte...
Category
Mid-20th Century Moorish African Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
Moroccan Vintage Tribal Safran Organic Wool Rug
By Berber Tribes of Morocco
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan vintage tribal organic wool rug, Safran earth tone colors,
Handwoven by the Berber women of the Middle Atlas of Morocco.
Geometrical abstract designs, great collector pi...
Category
1960s Folk Art Vintage African Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Beaded Ndebele Fertility Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire.
This colorful example of African beadwork is a fertility doll...
Category
20th Century Folk Art African Folk Art
Materials
Cotton, Wood
Standing Iron Figure. Bambara, Mali
Located in London, GB
Ex Private Collection, Belgium
Estimated Period: First Half of 20th Century
Width of Iron Figure at Widest Point: 5.5cm
Depth (Incl. Stand): 5.5cm
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Set of 3 Neckrests from East Africa
Located in Leuven , BE
Men in East Africa use headrests both as pillows and as indicators of status. This type of man's headrest is used by the Boni of northeast Kenya and southe...
Category
20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Organic Material, Wood
Spectacular Bamoun door, end of XIX°century from Sultan NJOYA Palace.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Spectacular Bamoun ( Cameroon)door end of XIX°century from Sultan NJOYA Palace.
It would be the door to the sultan's bedroom.
Very fine sculpting work with Royal attributes like the...
Category
Late 19th Century Other Antique African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Pair African Gourd Storage Vessels, Kenya or Ethiopia, early-mid 20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fantastic pair of large African gourd storage vessels with native repairs, early to mid 20th century, Ethiopia or Kenya.
This pair of dried and hollowed gourd vessels would origin...
Category
20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber
African Art Vase
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
African art vase, wood, 20th century.
Measures: H: 29 cm, D: 17 cm.
Category
20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Dogon Tribe Hardwood Carved Rhythm Pounder from Mali, Africa
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Museum quality Dogon tribe ironwood percussion pounder reportedly collected from a Tellem cave in the Bandiagara Escarpment in Mali. Collected in the late 1970’s with approximate age...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
Pipe Ngbaka / Mbanza / Ngbandi / Ngombe / Banda Tribe Congo Ubangi Africa ca1880
Located in Leuven, BE
Boka type pipe From the Ngbaka / Mbanza / Ngbandi / Ngombe / Banda / Bwaka / Mbaka Tribe Dr Congo Ubangi Africa - Ca 1880/1900
Tribe : Ngbaka / Mbanza / Ngbandi / Ngombe / Banda / Bw...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Senufo helmet mask of the kponyugu type Senufo Senoufo Ivory Coast Côte d'Ivoire
Located in Leuven, BE
Senufo helmet mask of the kponyugu type / Early 20th century
Tribe : Senufo / Senoufo
Country : Ivory Coast / Côte d'Ivoire
Type mask : wanyugu / kponyugu / wabele
Length mask : ...
Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
19th Century Bronze Gold Weight Depicting a Traditional Hunter. Akan, Ghana
Located in London, GB
This Akan gold weight depicts a traditional hunter, smoking a pipe. He is shown holding a knife, with a second knife secured in his belt. A musket is balanced over his shoulder, and ...
Category
19th Century Tribal Antique African Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
Ibedji Statuette – Yoruba Culture, Nigeria, circa 1930 (20th century)
Located in NICE, FR
Ibedji Statuette – Yoruba Culture, Nigeria, circa 1930 (20th century)
This pair of male Ibedji statuettes originates from the Yoruba tribe in West Africa, specifically Nigeria. Amon...
Category
1920s Tribal Vintage African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Vintage Moroccan Authentic Tribal Kilim Rug North Africa
By Berber Tribes of Morocco
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan Zemmour rugs are flat woven by the Berber women leaving near Khemisset, Zaiane and Azrou.This flat weaves, Kilim rugs are often used a wall coveri...
Category
1950s Tribal Vintage African Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Elegant Moroccan Caftan Green and Gold Embroidered with Moorish Designs
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Elegant Moroccan caftan green and gold embroidered trim,
circa 1980s.
This long maxi dress kaftan is embroidered and embellished with traditional trim in gold.
One of a kind Moroccan...
Category
20th Century Moorish African Folk Art
Materials
Fabric
Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa, 1950
Located in Buffalo, NY
Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa,, MID 20TH CENTURY.. gREAT COLOR / PATINA..
Category
1950s Tribal Vintage African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Suku helmet mask with antilope DR Congo ca 1930
Located in Leuven, BE
Rare beautiful museum quality authentic Suku Helmet Mask (Hemba type) DR CONGO ca 1930.
Beautiful patina with traces of polychrome
Art gallery Decoster / ...
Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
Ciwara Bambara headdress in carved wood and basketry, Mali, Early 20th century
Located in NICE, FR
A very pleasing Ciwara crest, singularly small and accompanied by its original headdress, depicting a stylized antelope leaning on a pangolin. The antelope is ridden by a woman, and white horsehair has been added to the tips of the horns. The piece is carefully sculpted, with notches decorating the bodies of the antelope and the pangolin.
Rattan, plant fiber, cowries, wood Very fine velvety mat patina, Circa 1950
An animal called Ciwara is said to have taught the Bambara how to cultivate the land, and during agrarian ceremonies, they recall the myth through the stylized representation of an antelope whose name ci wara...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Terracotta Bura Spirit Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Fine Early 20th Century Bongo Ancestral Post
Located in London, GB
This fine early twentieth-century ancestral post, from the Bongo culture in South Sudan, takes the form of a tall, multiple-ringed column. Carved from a hard wood, the post exhibits ...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
67.05 Carat Gorgeous Tri Color Tourmaline Drilled Carving from Africa
By Deloris "Dee" Giltz 1
Located in Peshawar, PK
67.05 carat gorgeous tri-color tourmaline drilled carving from Africa
Weight: 67.05 Carats
Dimension: 3.5 x 2.4 x 0.8 Cm
Origin: Africa
Color: Red Pink and Green
Shape: Carving
Quali...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Adam Style Antique African Folk Art
Materials
Crystal
Contemporary Giraffe Iron Sculpture, with Use of Tools and Other Objects C20
Located in Coimbra, PT
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.
Category
Late 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Iron
Moroccan Vintage Flat-Weave Kilim Rug North Africa
By Berber Tribes of Morocco
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Moroccan flat-weave Kilim rug, North Africa.
Large size vintage Moroccan rug, handwoven by Berber women in Morocco for their own use.
This rug was made using flat-weave tec...
Category
20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wool
African Redware Gooseneck Vase
Located in Chicago, IL
Covered in a beautifully worn red clay slip, this hand-formed African vessel has a dramatic silhouette of a squat, ovoid body and a long, narrow neck. Subtly etched crosshatch patter...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Primitive Antique African Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
African Bantu Art, Expressive, Surrealistic Gouache by Marcel Gotène
By Marcel Gotène
Located in Salzburg, AT
The famous painter, Marcel Gotène (Icon of the contemporary Bantu art)
combines surrealistic impressions with modern tapisserie elements.
Born in 1935 in Yaba, Republic of Kongo,...
Category
1980s Modern Vintage African Folk Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
Moroccan Round Leather Pouf Hand-Tooled in Marrakesh
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan blue and brown round leather pouf hand tooled in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Handcrafted by skill Moroccan artisans.
A pair is available, price ...
Category
20th Century Moorish African Folk Art
Materials
Leather
1960s Moroccan Vintage Flat-Weave Berber Rug
By Berber Tribes of Morocco
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Moroccan flat-weave Kilim rug.
Large size vintage Moroccan rug, handwoven by Berber women in Morocco for their own use.
This etnic rug was made using flat-weave technique w...
Category
20th Century Folk Art African Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Nigerian Nupe Vessel Support
By Nupe
Located in Chicago, IL
The Nupe people of Nigeria were touted as some of the finest ceramicists in Africa. Everyday objects like this elegant, cylindrical vessel support received detailed attention. This f...
Category
Early 20th Century Primitive African Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
"Embrace" Luba Headrest Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
The Luba people of Zaire believed that ancestors visited them through dreams. This belief led to elaborately worked headrests, known as "seats of dreams." Such headrests were used to...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
African Red & Green Painted Mortar
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category
20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Terracotta Bura Spirit Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Kuba Ceremonial Palm Wine Cup ('Mbwoongntey'), DRC
Located in London, GB
The decorative details adorning this ceremonial cup reflected the owner’s wealth, status and influence within the Kuba Kingdom. This anthropomorphic Kuba cup ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Sleep Guardian or Kata Sergo Ethiopia TOTEM 1 in Solid Natural Cedar Wood
Located in Paris, FR
TOTEM 1 sleep guardian or Kata Sergo from the ethnic
Gorague´, South / South West Ethiopia. Different ridges
are intended to evacuate the bad vibes from the fireplace
to the top h...
Category
19th Century Antique African Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
Rare antique female Kurumba statue Marka Malinke Mali Burkina Faso African Art
Located in Leuven, BE
Superb and rare museum quality seated female wooden statue from the Kurumba tribe Mali/Burkina Faso
Statues from the Kurumba people are rare !
For sale at Art Gallery Decoster Belg...
Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Superb 19th century Kuba pipe DR Congo African Art Kasaï
Located in Leuven, BE
Superb 19th century Kuba pipe DR Congo
People : Kuba
Country : DR Congo, Sankuru River
Early 20th century
Wood
Length : 51 cm
This elaborately carved and ornamented tobacco pipe wa...
Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Palmwood
Pair of African Cowrie Fertility Idol Figures
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of African (19/20th Cent) seated Cowrie fertility idol figures with a surface of small shells and beads and mounted on modern silver metal bases
Category
20th Century Folk Art African Folk Art
Materials
Shell, Wood, Paint
Small Traditional Kwere Medicine Container, Tanzania
Located in London, GB
This mid-twentieth century traditional medicine container from the Kwere culture in Tanzania has been finely carved into two sections.
The upper section tightly fits the body of th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Abstract primitive head Fragment of a Dogon Sculpture."
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A beautifully patined Dogon fragment of a head sculpture. Because of its natural wear perhaps even being more abstract and natural. As African art inspired the European modernist mov...
Category
Early 20th Century Primitive African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Ethiopian Milk Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
The Borana Oromo people of southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya are historically a cattle-keeping culture, and each household keeps a number of traditional vessels for storing and ch...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Other
Heavy Copper Ekonda Anklet Currency Mongo 19th Century
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Heavy Copper Ekonda Anklet Currency MONGO Tshuapa District - D.R Congo
4494 gr
Beautiful patina.
These anklets were worn by women of the Mongo tribe ...
Category
19th Century Tribal Antique African Folk Art
Materials
Copper
"Vijay Path" Ghanaian Movie Poster
Located in Chicago, IL
Vijaypath was a Bollywood action hit in 1994. It's critically acclaimed soundtrack topped charts across the world and became one of the most recognizable in India's history. The film's international success is evident in this hand-painted advertisement...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern African Folk Art
Materials
Fabric
Guine Statue Of The Kusu Tribe, DR Congo, First Half Of The 20th Century
Located in Bilzen, BE
Genuine carved wooden statue of the Kusu tribe DR Congo, first half of the 20th century with a tribal aged patina of use
Height without nail on the head 20 cm
Category
1930s Tribal Vintage African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
1960s Vintage Orange Moroccan Berber Rug
By Berber Tribes of Morocco
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1960s Moroccan authentic Berber Rug Orange Blue and Pink.For centuries the tribal people of Morocco's Atlas Mountains have passed down the delicate art of rug-weaving. In Northern Af...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art African Folk Art
Materials
Wool
African Basuku Helmet Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
During their five hundred year history in the Southern Congo, the Basuku tribe developed a series of intricate rituals built around their skilled mask makers. This particular example was most likely carved in the likeness of a deceased chieftain. The artisan intentionally pronounced the eyes, cheeks, and chin to provide a terrifying test for young men as they underwent their rites for manhood. The Basuku's spiritual expressions inspired early 20th century western painters...
Category
20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
1960s Vintage Flat-Weave Berber Moroccan Rug
By Berber Tribes of Morocco
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Moroccan flat-weave Kilim Berber rug.Large size vintage Moroccan ethnic rug, handwoven by Berber women in Morocco for their own use.This tribal rug was made using flat-weave ...
Category
20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Moroccan Ethnic Berber Handwoven Pillow
By Berber Tribes of Morocco
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan Ethnic Berber handwoven tribal throw pillow made from a vintage rug.
The front and the back are made from a different rug, front is more...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wool
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Why Jules Chéret Was the King of the Modern Poster
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