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African Folk Art

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Place of Origin: African
Ethiopian Procession Cross: A Sacred Heritage and Craftsmanship
Located in Ixelles, BE
Ethiopian Procession Cross: A Sacred Heritage and Craftsmanship. Structure and Composition: This finely crafted Ethiopian procession cross is rich in iconographic detail. Constructed from metal, likely bronze or brass, it features a complex structure with several decorative elements. - Central Part: • Madonna and Child: At the heart of the cross is a depiction of the Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus. This central image is framed within a circle adorned with openwork motifs and small inlays that appear to be precious stones or colored glass pieces. Arms of the Cross: • Angelic Musicians: Each lateral arm of the cross features an angelic musician, playing instruments and depicted in a flying position. The angels are finely detailed, with spread wings and carefully sculpted garments. • Cherub: At the apex of the cross, a cherub is depicted, a celestial being with multiple wings and surrounded by cloud-like motifs. • Bird Motifs: The lower extremities of the cross are adorned with bird motifs, likely doves, symbolizing peace and the Holy Spirit, placed within openwork circles. Base and Handle: • Engraved Base: The base of the cross, which serves as a handle, is also richly engraved with floral and geometric motifs, providing a sturdy and decorative grip for processions. History of Ethiopian Procession Crosses Origins and Evolution: Ethiopian procession crosses have a long history, dating back to the introduction of Christianity to Ethiopia in the 4th century under King Ezana. Influenced by Coptic and Byzantine traditions, these crosses evolved to adopt a distinctive style unique to Ethiopia. - Characteristics: • Style and Iconography: Ethiopian crosses...
Category

19th Century Primitive Antique African Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Moroccan Antique Brass Sugar Hammer
By Berber Tribes of Morocco
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Set of two Moroccan brass Berber tribal sugar hammer. Moroccan Collectible Brass Berber Sugar Hammer,Brass Berber Tribal Sugar Hammer. Authentic old Tuare...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art African Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Cameroon Bamileke Elephant Mask dating from the early 20th Century
Located in CA, CA
This mask dates from the late 19th to early 20th Century. Bamileke elephant masks, worn by the Kuosi society in Cameroon were elaborate beaded masks signifying wealth and power. The ...
Category

Early 20th Century African Folk Art

Materials

Glass

Antique Tetela Textile, DR Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Congolese Textile Tetela DR Congo 19th century Measures: 68 x 41 inches (172 x 104 cm) Provenance: Ambre-Congo gallery, Brussels $5,000. A very rare ...
Category

1880s Tribal Antique African Folk Art

Materials

Natural Fiber

African Ethiopian Tribal Folk Art Painting 20th Century
Located in Milano, MI
Ancient Ethiopian painting imported to Italy by a diplomat during the Italian occupation of Ethiopia, in the late 1930s. This genre scene painting is divided into eighteen squares bordered by a black frame and divided into three lines. The scene depicts the story of a couple with three children through the stories of their domestic life and their rural activity; each box has a caption written in the Amharic language. In the first line: they grind; they drink; …illegible… while they spin; they bring water. In the second line: comb, cut your hair; treats your teeth; grind; they bring the wood; they bring water. In the third section: they prepare beer; they prepare bread; they cook bread; they prepare lunch; while they eat; while they drink. This canvas is painted in shades of ocher and is mounteed on a ebonized frame. Dates back to the late 1930s. The canvas show minimal tears and signs of wear but we can customize a restoration. The human figures are characterized by unrealistic proportions of the head and body and depicted in static positions. This sense of fixity and the narration in successive chapters in domestic environments make the paintings easily intelligible and suggestive. A particularly fascinating aspect of Ethiopian art...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art African Folk Art

Materials

Canvas

Moroccan Orientalist Oil Painting of a Rug Market
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan orientalist oil on canvas painting of a 19th century Moroccan rug market scene with an sellers seating on a pile of carpet and two other men wearing traditional colorful robes standing and checking the goods. The background depict an old house with wooden mucharabie and Moorish arches. Contemporary French oil on canvas orientalist painting of a Moroccan market...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moorish African Folk Art

Materials

Canvas

West Africa Senufo Cast Bronze Mask Kpelie, Circa 1950s
Located in Torquay, GB
Ancestral Senufo cast bronze face mask (Kpelie) from Côte d'Ivoire West Africa. Made using the lost wax technique. Traditionally, the 'Kpelie' is an ancestral mask worn during funeral rites, initiation ceremonies, weddings and births. The function of the mask is determined by the crest at the top of it's head and the subtle scarification markings it carries. The female mask will normally have a plug on it's mouth with the male masks having an open mouth and longer protruding jaw. It is believed that the mask itself embodies the spirit of the dead, hence the name 'Dead Face' The delicate attributes of this mask is a fine example of the excellent artistry of the Senufos. This is a male Senufo Mask...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Vintage Display Mask, African, Ironwood, Carved, Ceremonial, Tribal, Decorative
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage display mask. An African, carved ironwood ceremonial tribal mask, dating to the late 20th century. Fascinating ridged carvings accentuate this distinctive mask Di...
Category

Late 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Bambara Jidaga Water Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
Formed by pounding flattened clay around a convex mold, this oblong footed vessel is a water storage jar known as a jidaga, created by women of the Bambara people of Mali. The body o...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Ethiopian Royal Bed (Former Tekalegn Besapa Collection)
Located in London, GB
This amazing nineteenth-century Ethiopian bed, personally collected in Ethiopia in the 1990's, formally belonged to the collection of Tekalegn Besapa, in Addis Ababa. This type of be...
Category

19th Century Tribal Antique African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

African Benin Bronze Sculpture
Located in Atlanta, GA
African Benin Bronze Sculpture, Africa, circa mid 20th Century. Beautiful casting with wonderful attention to detail. Solid, heavyweight...
Category

20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Carved Twin figure Ibeji Yoruba People, Nigeria
Located in Leuven , BE
A finely carved significant Yoruba Male Ibeji figure with a tall headdress, expressive eyes, original bead belt and heavy wear and polish from native use. Areas of encrusted camwood ...
Category

20th Century African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Old Igbo Helmet Mask, Agbogho Mmuo Masquerade
Located in Torquay, GB
A superb Igbo Nigeria helmet mask 'Agbogho Mmuo" or Maiden Spirit. Worn as masqurades during funerals, cleansing rituals, harvest festivals, weddings and ...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Large Dogon Ladder, Mali
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Large Dogon ladder, Mali Wood Early to mid-20th century Measures: 75.5 x 14 in. / 192 x 36 cm With a textured, eroded patina, this ladder was originally used outdoors. Ca...
Category

Mid-20th Century Other African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Moroccan Moorish Orientalist Oil Painting
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan Orientalist oil on canvas painting of a 19th century Moroccan market scene with an old men seating on a carpet selling old coins and a Moorish...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moorish African Folk Art

Materials

Canvas

Large Tutsi Prestige Basket
Located in London, GB
The distinctive sculptural form of this large Tutsi fibre basket from Rwanda - woven with the same double-layer 'igihisi' structure used to create Tutsi wall screens - is an expressi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Natural Fiber

African Dan Yakuba Guard Mask Small Shells and Bells from the Ivory Coast 1970s
Located in Salzburg, AT
African Dan Yakuba Guard Mask Small Shells and Bells from the Ivory Coast 1970s Female wooden mask with rich decoration of textile elements, small shells and ceramic beads. The mouth...
Category

1970s Tribal Vintage African Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Ashanti Bronze Figurine, Asante People, Ghana, 1950s
By Akan Ashanti
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Akan Ashanti cast bronze figurine. The Ashanti or Asante People from Ghana have a rich tradition of crafting bronze pieces to commemorate important figures from their culture or peop...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Head of an Oba, Yoruba People, 1950s
By Yoruba People
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
A Benin bronze of an Oba. Oba means ruler in the Yoruba language. Wearing a lattice-pattern cap with strands of beads suspended around the head. The neck is bound with a lattice-patt...
Category

1950s Tribal Vintage African Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

Mid-20th Century Toguna Female Anthropomo Post from Mali
Located in Atlanta, GA
An early to mid-20th century Toguna support post from the Dogon Tribe of Mali, on custom metal stand. This West African hand carved wooden bean was origin...
Category

Mid-20th Century African Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Ancient Coptic Textile with Classical Figures
Located in Spring Valley, NY
Finely woven of wool and linen, this large, ancient, museum level Coptic textile depicts figures derived from classical antiquity, some playing musical ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Classical Roman Antique African Folk Art

Materials

Wool, Linen

Statue from the Baoule/Baule tribe, Ivory Coast, first half 20th century
By Baule Tribe
Located in Bilzen, BE
A statue from the Baoule/Baule tribe, Ivory Coast carved in hardwood in the early colonial style Early 1900 Tribal aged patina Heigth 36 cm
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Salampasu Mask
Located in Sharon, CT
In 'Congo Masks, Masterpieces from Central Africa' editor Marc Leo Felix, a photograph on page 146 depicts a group of Salampasu Masks being collected in...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Iron

African Tribal Yoruba, Nigeria Rider Figure Offering Bowl Early 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early Yoruba offering bowl in the from of a male figure with a beard riding on horse back surrounded by four small attendants, finely carved with nice patina from native use. Probabl...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Antique Congolese African Tribal Carved Hemba Helmet Mask, Suku Peoples
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce antique African tribal carved Hemba helmet mask, the Suku peoples, possibly Kwese culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa, early 20th century, surmounted by four-legged animal, over round face, with mouth ajar and incised jagged teeth exposed, protruding almond shaped eyes, scattered remnants of pigment, full raffia fiber fringe, mounted on wood stand. A superb museum quality example, this remarkable tribal folk art sculpture is a wonderful way to add rustic warmth, rich historical depth, and fascinating cultural interest to any space! Dimensions: (approx) Overall: 26" High, 9" Wide, 10.25" Deep; Mask only: 15" Tall; 7 lbs total Provenance / Acquisition: Acquired from the highly reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, est.1983, Austin, Texas. Excellent Condition: Nicely aged distressed patina over the whole. Highly desirable wear consistent with age and indicative of use, including scattered losses, antique character marks and typical signs of aging throughout. Retaining scattered remnants of original pigment. Overall a superb museum quality example Primitive Arts Of Africa: Among the Suku of the southwestern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, masks plays crucial role in protecting boys during initiation, the vulnerable period between boyhood and manhood. The power contained in Hemba masks...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Raffia, Wood

A Fine and Large Egyptian Limestone Relief Carved in Shallow Relief
Located in London, GB
A Fine and Large Egyptian Limestone Relief Carved in Shallow Relief Traces of original polychrome Old Kingdom / 5th Dynasty / 2454 - 2311 B.C Size: 32cm high, 70cm wide, 5cm deep - 12½ ins high, 27½ ins wide, 2 ins deep Provenance: Ex Private Swiss collection, acquired mid 1960s and thence by descent Ex Rupert Wace Limited London Ex Private London collection cf A...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique African Folk Art

Materials

Limestone

Bronze Currency Bangle/Manilla, Oromo People, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, 19th C.
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
19th-century bronze currency bangle / Manilla with a fixed opening. Minimalist, simple design work with engraved geometrical circles and lines. This type of bracelet was used and wor...
Category

Mid-19th Century Tribal Antique African Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Nupe Cast Bronze Purse Container Bells and Rings Early 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

Nigeria Yoruba Agere Ifa Divination Cup, first half 20th century
By Yoruba People
Located in Bilzen, BE
Ritual cup for divination and/or medicine the cup rests on 2 figures of stylized birds Beautiful dark patina, partly crisp and shiny The Yoruba of Nigeria consult Ifa on all question...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Mid-20th Century Cut-Pile Raffia Panel, Shoowa People, Kuba, D.R. Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Cut-Pile Raffia Panel, Shoowa People, a northern group of the Kuba, D.R. Congo A fascinating example of a cut-pile prestige cloth from the Shoowa people,...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Natural Fiber

Brightly Coloured Ewe Cloth
Located in London, GB
An early and rare weft faced Ewe cloth woven in strops of brightly coloured red, blue, yellow cream, lime green and ivory. A great example, large size. Con...
Category

Early 1900s Antique African Folk Art

Materials

Natural Fiber

Abstract Sculpture in Serpentine by Tafadzwa Tandi from Mrewa, Zimbabwe
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible abstract sculpture by Tafadzwa Tandi made out of a solid piece of serpentine stone. A 3rd generation artist of Zimbabwe, Tafadzwa learned the...
Category

1990s Expressionist African Folk Art

Materials

Stone

African Mask with Spears 1990s
Located in Ljubljana, SI
African Mask with Spears 90s. It is a rare set. Carved from one piece. Spears are ultra light - height 152 cm.
Category

1990s Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Early Classic Wood Ashanti Stool Circle Supporting Top, Ghana Mid-20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
A well-loved traditional stool or seat from the Akan people of Ghana. The supports for Akan stools take many forms, they can be purely geometric or architectural with simple posts a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Baule Standing Female Figure With Scarifications Hands Ivory Coast Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Baule Standing Female Figure with finely carved raised scarifications, hands on side of stomach with long figures. From Ivory Coast, Africa It is in good condition with wear, polis...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Moroccan Ceramic Glazed Water Jug Handcrafted in Fez Morocco
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large pair of Moroccan glazed polychrome ceramic water jug with handle. Hand painted ceramic handcrafted by skilled Moroccan artisans in Fez Morocco...
Category

20th Century Islamic African Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Large Camel Moroccan Rug
Located in New York, NY
One of a kind large square room size with a happy-go-lucky large camel sitting on an ivory ground. The wool on this is phenomenal. it's soft on the feet. The hump on the camel has a ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern African Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Contemporary Tamagroute Earth Candlestick - Morocco
Located in Hook, Hampshire
Contemporary Tamagroute Earth Candlestick - Morocco. Tamegroute is a small Moroccan village simply known for it's rich traditional ceramics. The clay is cut by hand from the banks of...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary African Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Early 20th Century Ceremonial Chiefs Coat From Africa
Located in Chicago, IL
An early 20th-century ceremonial chief's coat from Africa represents a magnificent display of cultural heritage and craftsmanship. These coats hold deep significance, symbolizing pow...
Category

Early 20th Century African Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Bronze Resting Camel Sculpture on Marble Stand French School
Located in North Hollywood, CA
French School of an Egyptian Middle Eastern Camel Sculpture on Marble Stand. Large and heavy art Deco Style Bronze Resting Camel on White Marble Stand Sculpture. Boasting a dark pati...
Category

Late 20th Century Moorish African Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

Marroquin Arab 1870 Koummya Dagger With Sheath In Wood Silver And Brass
By Berber Tribes of Morocco
Located in Miami, FL
Marroquin forged steel dagger with sheath. Beautiful koummya dagger with a sheath from the region of Morocco, circa 1870. The blade was created with forged steel, mounted in wood and brass and embellished with silver parts decorated with chiseled and engraved motifs. The dagger is curved with a tick double edge blade, the handle is ornate with silver and wood. Like swords and daggers in most cultures, the Islamic dagger...
Category

1870s Islamic Antique African Folk Art

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver, Brass, Steel

Vintage Moroccan Leather Rectangular Pouf in Red and Black
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large vintage red and black hand tooled leather Moroccan ottoman. Rectangular shape pouf in red and black leather embroidered with black and white silk threads. Handcrafted by skil...
Category

20th Century Moorish African Folk Art

Materials

Leather

Antique Chokwe Mask, Central African, Carved Hardwood, Tribal, Victorian, C.1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Chokwe mask. A Central African, carved hardwood tribal face mask, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Fascinating t...
Category

Late 19th Century Late Victorian Antique African Folk Art

Materials

Hardwood

Antique And Exceptional Kipinga Throwing Knife Ngbaka Bwaka Ngombe Tribe Congo
Located in Leuven, BE
Old And Exceptional Kipinga Throwing Knife Ngbaka Ngombe Tribe Congo Central Africa Tribe: Ngbaka / Ngombe / Bwaka Region: DR CONGO / Central African Republic Length = 43 cm Period: ...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique African Folk Art

Materials

Iron

African Spear Currency on Stands
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a pair of vintage African spear currencies from the Mbole peoples, Democratic Republic of Congo which are nicely presented upon custom m...
Category

20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Metal, Iron

Opon Igede Ifa - Divination Bowl, Yoruba People, Nigeria, Early 20th Century
By Yoruba People
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Hand-carved Opon Igede Ifa or divination bowl, Yoruba People, Nigeria, early 20th Century. A Babalawo ("diviner") of the West African Yoruba people uses an Opon Igede Ifa to store th...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Mid-20th Century Tribal Beaded Cache-Sexe Modesty Apron, Cameroon
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Mid-20th century tribal beaded cache-sexe modesty apron (pikuran), Mandara Mountains, Cameroon These colorful cache-sexe were worn for celebrations, rit...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Shell, Beads

Standing Carved Wooden Figural Spoon, Yoruba People, 1960s
By Yoruba People
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Large carved wooden spoon in the shape of a standing female figure, with a round bowl over her head, Yoruba People, circa 1960s. The numbers are the inventory numbers from Penn Stat...
Category

1960s Tribal Vintage African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Mid-20th Century Globular Vessel, Mangbetu People, D. R. Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Mid-20th Century Globular Vessel, Mangbetu People, D. R. Congo An unusually large and striking non-figurative vessel from the Mangbetu people, comprised of six lobes joined to a c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Baule Painted Ram Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
The Baule people of the Ivory Coast used ram masks in secular, public performances. Realistically carved, and wonderfully decorated, they were designed to draw attention and enhance ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Kuba Dye-Resist Tcaka Textile
Located in Chicago, IL
Visually dynamic and highly textured, this raffia textile expresses the irregular, geometric patterns typical of Kuba textile art. Created by an artisan of the Kuba people of the Dem...
Category

20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Raffia

African Wooden Sculpture / Bust of a Man Carved Out of Piece of Teak, 70s
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
African sculpture / bust of a man with beard carved out of a beautiful piece of palissander. Very detailed and in correct proportions made.
Category

1970s Brutalist Vintage African Folk Art

Materials

Teak

Old Well Used Wood Ashanti Stool Hollow Cylinder Supporting Top Metal Repairs
Located in Point Richmond, CA
The stool was loved by its owner, repaired in several places with decorated metal straps. It has an openwork, tiered lattice central post and four support posts. It has the older sty...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

20th Century African Songye Nkishi Kifwebe Figure, Democratic Republic of Congo
Located in London, GB
For sale is this wonderful vintage African hand-carved Kifwebe association Figure (or "N'kishi"), originating from the Songye people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly the...
Category

Late 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Metal

African Tribal Benin Brass Armlets Nigeria Antique Jewelry
Located in London, GB
Benin brass Armlets or Anklets A pair of heavy Brass armlets with three rows of cowrie shells, Certainly a well worn pair one slightly twisted. They have been cleaned at some point. Rare pieces. Benin 19th century and earlier. For similar pair see re thinking pit Pitt Rivers pit rivers museum online collection Oxford UK.
Category

Early 20th Century African Folk Art

Materials

Hardwood

Tutsi Beaded Prestige Staffs
Located in Point Richmond, CA
A group of six beaded wood Tutsi and Hutu ceremonial objects, the green striped one second from right is a knife, the others were used as staffs by elite members of the Tutsi and Hu...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art

Materials

Cotton, Glass, Beads, Wood

Contemporary Tamagroute Green Candlestick - Morocco
Located in Hook, Hampshire
Contemporary Tamagroute Green Candlestick - Morocco. Tamegroute is a small Moroccan village simply known for it's rich traditional ceramics. The cl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary African Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Slender 19th Century High-Backed Ethiopian Chair
Located in London, GB
This late nineteenth-century chair, from the Gindabarat in the Oromia region of Ethiopia, has been finely carved from a single piece of dense, heavy wood. The circular, narrow-in-siz...
Category

Late 19th Century Tribal Antique African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

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