African Folk Art

Carved wood Akuaba, sometimes known as an Ashanti doll or a Fanti doll. Untouched condition with a beautiful natural age-related patina. Akua'ba (sometim...

Rare mid century Lobi folk tribal art female figure wooden sculpture produced in Burkina Faso, Africa by anonymous designer in the 1940s. In good original condition. Dimensions: H:...

"Residing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Kuba people are true artisans whose craftsmanship fueled traditional rituals, performances, and storytelling. Natural materials, in...

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...

Standing female wearing a tight fitting white dress and black tripartite wig, serene facial features with large painted eyes. Separately made arms attached with dowel to the shoulder...

The cup hand-carved from white alabaster with caramel and white veining throughout the composition. The cup stands upon a tapering base, and widens to form the ribbed, cylindrical cup. Alabaster was a material prized by ancient sculptors...

Mask 'Kanaga' Dogon tribe, Mali Circa 1950 Provenance: Swedish private collection, from the 1970s. Then inherited within the family One of the most popular types of masks in the Sang...

Residing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Kuba people are true artisans whose craftsmanship fueled traditional rituals, performances, and storytelling. Natural materials, in this case cowrie shells, hold a long history of use in African art often associated with beauty and spirituality. The Bwoom mask...

African Heavy Wood Carved Elephant with Tusks Nice Details Slight wear on finish

This is a "Mother drum", Asante, Ghana. with polychrome paints, Circa 1935. In the style of the well-known carver Osei Bonsu (1900-1977). Low relief imagery envelopes the body of t...

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...

Splendid four rams Ntomo Mask, Bamana Population, Mali Four Rams, Ntomo Mask, Mali, Wood and cowrie shells. Dimensions: 52 x 14.5 cm 20.48 x 5.51inches The Ntomo mask is used in th...

Shaman body bags from the early 20th century were sacred and significant artifacts used in certain cultural practices and rituals among various indigenous communities and shamans in ...

African mask in hand painted wood, 20th century Angola.

Splendid Kpélié Mask, Sénoufo population, Ivory Coast 1950 Kpélié Mask, wood covered with copper Dimensions 36.5 x 14.5 cm / 14.17 x 5.51 inches The populations speaking the Sénouf...

Very beautiful and well-preserved vintage terracotta vessel with removable lid from the Congo region, Bakongo ethnic group. The fine decoration is partly engraved, but also modeled ...

Created in the early to mid-20th century, by an anonymous artist of the Akan people of Ghana, probably Ashanti (Asante) or Fanti (Fante). What separates this stool from the standard ...

Revel in the mystique of tribal artistry with this Early 20th Century Pende "Circumcision Ceremonial" Mask. This evocative piece, crafted meticulously by hand, showcases the profound...

Splendid Seven rams Ntomo Mask, Bamana Population, Mali, 1930-1940 Seven Rams Ntomo Mask, Ségou region, Mali, Wood, cowrie shells, reptile skin. Dimensions: 61.5 cm / 24.02 inches. ...

A good example of an African Ashanti tribal headrest. Ghana. Early to mid-twentieth century.

Moorish Syrian style Damascene bone Inlaid Mirrors with floral motif 52" H. A pair. Large 52" height gorgeous floral motif Syrian mirrors with intricate bone inlay. Vintage Middle Eastern mid 20th century handcrafted Syrian style shell inlaid wood framed mirrors. Gorgeous handcrafted pair of Moorish mirrors featuring an intricate hand-carved and reticulated solid walnut wood with remarkable and elegant floral inlay and carving in a geometric pattern inlaid metal embellishments in silver color. Two Levantine wall mirrors with intricately carved wood inlaid with geometric ornate Moorish design pattern and floral designs in very detailed shell and intricate bone inlaid on walnut wood. Great Islamic Art craftsmanship finished with a detailed crown, the crown and sides are very finely handcrafted in floral and geometric Moorish design. The mirrors are offered as a pair. They are in good condition with no loss of inlaid and ready to adorn your walls with a taste of the exotic. Some mother of pearl has been replaced and restored, new mirror. DIMENSIONS: 52ʺH x 27ʺW × 1ʺD. These stunning mirrors are a stellar example of the intricacy and superb craftsmanship of this Centuries old traditional Middle Eastern Syrian style craftsmanship. Will looks great in living room on top of a matching mother-of-pearl chest, in a bathroom or as an entryway statement definitely a conversation piece. Inspired by the Byzantine Ottoman era made of walnut wood and inlaid with natural shell and bone. Moroccan Moorish style handcrafted mother of pearl inlaid wood wall mirror frame, Syrian Islamic design furniture, Arabic wooden frame, Middle Eastern wall decor, Levantine mirrors.

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 ...

Amazing and scarce JUDAICA object, we have here one of the most touching jewish objects we had for a long time, this small silver dowry box was made in Algeria in the early 19th century, it is all covered with symbols of jewish faith and of couples, the sliding lid has 2 flanking birds with hamsa (protective hand) on each side and a flower vase in the middle. one side shows two flanking lions with a tree in the middle and the other side shows again two big and two small birds with a flower bowl in the middle, front side has a key hole and next to it there is the Hebrew inscription ס״ט״" which says Siman tov or in English "a good sign" it is taken from the wedding blessing, underneath the lock there is another inscription with the name ״עזיזה בת אברהם בן חמו״ which is the name of the bride, her father and her grandfathers name. the box is full marked a lot of times with the silversmith mark, every side of the box is marked. this box was probably ordered by the grooms family to hold the jewelry they are giving to the bride as dowry, this type of objects are rare and there are just a few of them on museum collections. DOWRY (Heb. נְדֻנְיָה), the property a wife brings to her husband at marriage; the Yiddish equivalent, nadn, is from the same root. The custom of nedunyah became clearly defined and institutionalized only in the talmudic period. In biblical times, mohar (מֹהַר), whereby the groom bought his wife from her father (Gen. 24:53; Ex. 22:15–16; Hos. 3:2), was the accepted practice. It was then customary that the groom give the bride gifts, and that she bring certain property to her husband's home upon marriage: slaves, cattle, real estate, etc. (cf. Gen. 24:59–61; 29; Judg. 1:14ff.; I Kings 9:16). Evidence of the custom of nedunyah is to be found in Tobit (7:14; 8:21) and in the Assuan papyri (Cowley, Aramaic, nos. 15, 18). Gradually, mohar was superseded by the ketubbah custom according to which the husband merely assumed the responsibility of compensation to his wife in case he divorced her: he had to pay her 200 zuzim if she had been a virgin at the time of marriage, and 100 zuzim if a widow or divorcée (see *Ketubbah). By talmudic times, the institution of nedunyah was prevalent; the father gave a dowry to the bride since the daughter was excluded from paternal inheritance. Fifty zuzim (equivalent to the worth of 180 grams of silver) was the minimum amount a father was obliged to give to his daughter (Ket. 6:5). Parents usually gave much more, according to their social standing. Community funds provided the dowry for an orphan or a very poor girl (ibid.; cf. Sh. Ar., YD 251:8). In case of her father's death, the brothers of a minor girl were obliged to give her the minimum dowry, and the court estimated how much her father would have given her above the minimum dowry. The sum was then taken out of the father's estate and given to the daughter upon majority (Ket. 6:6; 68a–69b). In the absence of such an estimate, each daughter was entitled to receive one-tenth of the value of her father's estate in money, or in valuables (Yad, Ishut, 20:4–7; Sh. Ar., EH 113:4). If the father was unable or unwilling to pay the promised dowry at the betrothal ceremony, the groom could refuse to marry his bride (Ket. 13:5; Ket. 108b–109a). Insistence on exact payment of the promised dowry, however, was frowned upon by later rabbinic authorities (Rema to Sh. Ar., EH 2:1). In certain communities it was customary for the groom's father to make a dowry contribution equal to that of the bride's father (Ket. 102b). The dowry, whether given in real estate, slaves, money, or chattel was recorded in the marriage contract (the ketubbah) and in some instances one-third or one-fifth of the actual value of the dowry was added to the sum mentioned in the ketubbah. Based upon a decree enacted by *Simeon b. Shetah (first century C.E.), the Talmud ruled that the husband and his entire property were liable for compensation as stipulated in the ketubbah, either in case he died (when she collected the sum specified in the ketubbah from the heirs) or in case he divorced his wife (Ket. 82b). For the status of the dowry and the husband's rights and obligations, see below. The rabbinic enactments (Takkanot Shum) by R. Jacob *Tam and by the rabbinic synod of the communities of Speyer, Worms, and Mainz (Germany) stipulated that if a woman died...

A rare Middle Atlas Berber rug from the Zemmour region, distinguished by the fact that it has pile on both sides- red in different gradations on the displayed side and orange in many...

Mumuye, Nigeria Iron 22.75 x 5 in. / 28 x 13 cm Height on custom display stand: 24.5 in. / 62 cm

Chamba, Nigeria, Africa Iron Early 20th century 14.5 x 7 in. / 37 x 18 cm Height on custom display stand: 16.5 in. / 42 cm Various models of these original currency bearers were...

Topoke, DR Congo, Africa Iron Early 20th century 36 x 6 in. / 91 x 15 cm. Height on custom display stand: 38.25 in. / 97 cm. These big iron spear points were made by groups livi...

Bamileke headdress, originating from the Bamileke ethnic group in Cameroon, is ceremonial and symbolic artifacts used in traditional ceremonies and rituals. It is crafted using natur...

Covered with an extraordinary black crusted patina, this wooden Liberian mask was hand-crafted in the style of the Bassa ethnic group. Bassa communities have a number of rich masking...

African door in carved wood and bronze of chief Baboun, Cameroon, early 20th century Art Baboun, Cameroon, early 20th century. Unique and rare object. C...

A Group of Tutsi Prestige Basketry Rwanda First half, 20th century Grass and other plant fibers, natural dye, coiling technique Measures: Height, left to right: 7 1/4”; 8”; 9 1/...

Ethiopian and other African-influenced furniture had been made from the 1850s, the most famous being Adolf Loos's "Theban stool" designed around 1903 in t...

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...

Mid-20th Century Silver Khamsa and Copper Earrings by Jewels of Santa Fe/Marrakesh A pair of earrings made by Jewels with rural Moroccan village pendants with three small khamsas, h...

This ceremonial African mask is linked to the Salampasu people of the Bantu ethnic group located primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Salampasu masks...

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Silver Charm earrings by Jewels of Santa Fe/Marrakesh A pair of earrings made by Jewels with rare silver charms from the Ida ou Nadif people living in the ...

19th Century Bronze Coin with Silver Bezel Earrings by Jewels of Santa Fe/Marrakesh A pair of earrings made by Jewels with bronze coins from Morocco and Egypt set in silver bezels a...

Moroccan Berber hand-carved wooden sugar hammer "Deggaga". Handcrafted by the Berber women of Morocco, hand-carved and hand painted wood with tribal desig...

Early 20th century prestige cloth, Dida people, Ivory Coast Raffia, natural dyes An engaging example of resist-dyed prestige cloths, this raffia fragment is professionally mounted o...

Mid-20th Century Silver Khamsa and Copper Earrings by Jewels of Santa Fe/Marrakesh A pair of earrings made by Jewels with rural Moroccan village pendants with three small khamsas, h...

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

A superb Igbo Nigeria helmet mask 'Agbogho Mmuo" or Maiden Spirit. Worn as masqurades during funerals, cleansing rituals, harvest festivals, weddings and other such occasions . Igb...

Two Exquisite Yaka Figural Decorative Wooden Combs "Cisakulo". These remarkable antique wooden combs feature handles adorned with geometric carvings the top depicting a standing female and the other comb a male figure. The wooden hair combs are not only for the practical purpose of hair combing but also as items of decoration and adornment. Within the Asante Akan Kingdom of West Africa, these combs held significant cultural value. They were presented to women by family members and male admirers before and during courtship, and subsequently by husbands. Elaborately carved with symbolic designs, these combs symbolize beauty, status, and good fortune in a woman's life. Highly collectible pieces with minor signs of wear on the wood. Dimensions: 11" in height by 2.75" in width. Dimensions: 10" in height by 2.5" in width. Early tribal African wood comb...

Cubist Dogon carved wood Antelope mask with attached raffia, from Mali West Africa. Tall vertical eyes, small slit mouth. Pair of carved curved blackened...

Charming Benin King Oba and his Queen. Terrific pair of Benin hand carved ebony hardwood figures. Intricate detailing on each of these super West African carvings Circa Mid 20th c...

Carved painted wood Ashanti Linguist Staff with bird top and twisted knots forms. A staff like this was the symbol of office for the linguist, a traine...

Janiform ceremonial headdress from the Ekoi, Ejagham people of the Cross River region of Southeastern Nigeria, circa early 20th century. The janus symbolism from the Cross River r...

This hand carved 20th century wooden staff, was crafted in the style of the Tabwa people located along the southwestern shores of Lake Tanganyika. The handle is finely decorated with...

A Rare and Finely Carved Egyptian Wooden Headrest with a Carved Head to both Sides Representing the God ‘Bes’ (Protector of the Homestead) above Carved...

On offer is a Basangwe mask from the Songye people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, circa 1950s. The mask has the typical facial shape of the Basangwe mask. At the top, it has a pair of stylised birds decorated with punched triangles. Their long beaks seem to suggest Hornbill or Kalao bird. The eyes are slanted elongated slits, it has narrow nose and protruding circular mouth in a light russet colour. It has a banded stripe design in black and white more similar to a Songye Kifwebe mask...

Superb Antique Moroccan Koumiya Berber Dagger A rare and superb example of a Moroccan Koumiya Berber Dagger with highly ornate silver and brass work a...

Divided into contrasting tones, this ceremonial African mask is linked to the Salampasu people of the Bantu ethnic group located primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Salampasu masks...

A strikingly darkly patinated and geometrically inscribed ritual mask made by the Senoufo people of the Ivory Coast. This delicately carved mask, with its characteristic arched eyebr...

In Kuba society, title holding is dominated by men; there are only two titles held by women. Headdresses were and are the most visible expression of o...

Bura fired clay heads, possibly 3rd-10th c. CE, Niger, Bura peoples. These are very expressive examples on custom mounts, the larger with manganese deposits. Between the 3rd and 10th centuries, the dead were laid to rest at a site in present-day Niger downstream from the Inland Niger delta. The burial ground’s density and expanse suggest a veritable city of the departed. Several hundred individual graves were marked by upturned pottery urns, some of which were cylinders topped by figurative imagery. The most elaborate of these were full-bodied equestrians, while the most basic were highly abstract, independent heads. Note: These figures will be professionally packed by a specialist shipper at the sellers expense. Dimensions: 11.25"h x 6.75"w x 3"d and 8"h x 3.75"w (incl. stands) Condition: Good, wear consistent with age and materials Provenance: Acquired by the present owner from Dr. David Rilling, 1990s. About Dr. David Rilling. A Pennsylvania based medical doctor, Dr Rilling began collecting African and Oceanic antiques...

World-renowned for high-quality lost wax casting, the city of Benin in West Africa has been a leading producer of fine cast brass and bronze sculptures since as early as the 16th cen...

A beautifully painted, stylised ritual dance mask with an assertive presence, used by the Gouro people of the Ivory Coast. The mask is in the form of an African wild dog...

Yaka Carved wood standing Janus back to back male/female divination figure DRC Congo, Africa The figure is 17 1/2" inches mounted on a custom metal stand. Male figure with open mout...