Burkinabe Folk Art

19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Intricate graphical swirl design and tips are shaped with large flat ends with 5 beads on each s...

This finely cast bronze bangle is possibly Gan, or a related culture, from Burkina Faso or northern Ghana. It depicts two animals resembling chameleons which flank a central decorati...

This set of three bronze animal sculptures are stylized animal figures produced in Burkina Faso, West Africa using the lost-wax casting tradition. These miniature sculptures stand as...

Early 20th century bronze sculpture from Lobi (Burkina Fasso)

This large and powerful carved Molo mask by the Bobo people from Burkina Faso is in the form of an antelope. Covered in geometric patterns of ivory, sienna, and cobalt blue, it has a...

19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Intricate graphical design with lines and accent points on the top and at both tips. This type o...

19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Intricate graphical swirled rope work design and tips are shaped with large flat ends with geome...

Very important “Nwantamtay” dance African mask, consisting of three sections: The upper in plain rectangular shape surmounted by a crescent shape moon, the middle with beautiful geometric triangles in black bitumen and white kaolin, surrounding a red cruciform in the centre of remarkable contrasting colors, and the lower part or face inscribed in a circular space that inspired numbered great artists like Joan Miro, Picasso and Henry Moore of a very strongly solar symbolism, with a projecting protuberance emanating from the forehead like a sculpted bird beak, that descents toward the mouth. Concentric eyes harmonize with the circular mouth, both with of elegant proportions. The whole mask exudes a supreme harmony and perfect balance rarely seen in this pieces. The back-side presents nice ware that attested the ancient origin and traces of animistic ceremonies as the use of animal blood residues. The painting of brown bitumen or cola, the natural colorants in red and ocher tones and the white kaolin are original and do not show any repainted or restored areas, giving a freshness rarely seen in old pieces. This exceptional mask Bwa, of the Hound`e Region in Burkina-Fasso, was used it the transit ceremonies and funerals manifesting the presence of “Do”, name given to their God sons, protectors and powerful spirits. The round face also represents an owl, the curving beak of the bird plants a seed into the sun, like a female sexual vulva being fecundated by the male organ; the eternal symbol of Ying and Yang, masculine and feminine, and the quest of life and death. This mask of Primitive facture can be compared to the one in the celebrated Verite Collection (this one being larger) sold in Paris at the Hotel Drouot, Saturday June 17, Lot 59, for 80,000 Euros and remarkably stands out from the Pierre and Tannia Matisse sold in Sotheby’s, New York in May 13, 2011. Another similar piece was published in: “Arman et l’art africain...

This impressive collection of four carved wood figures are from the landlocked African country of Burkina Faso. This nation bordered by 6 other countries ...

A collection of Burkina Faso currency from the mid-20th century. This assortment of three vintage African ritual iron snakes effigies originate from the L...

A collection of Burkina Faso currency from the mid-20th century. This assortment of three vintage African ritual iron snakes effigies originate from the...

Large West African Bronze Currency Bracelet, Gan People, Burkina Faso, on Custom Stand An exceptional and sculptural bronze currency bracelet attributed to the Gan people of Burkina ...

Rare African tribal wooden decorative drum with hide and rope produced in Africa early 1900s. In good original condition. Dimensions: H: 38 cm / 14.95" Diameter: 17 cm / 6.70"

Bobo people, Burkina Faso/Mali, Early 20th century The top, made in a vest-like form, consists of a base made out of cotton with an outer decorated layer of cowrie shells. Provenan...

19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Intricate graphical design with a lattice pattern. This type of bracelet was worn or used by the...

A beautiful stylized antelope head used as headdress on ceremonial dances. Retains the old painting and patina over the carved wood. Traded by a professor working in Africa in the 19...

Well-used wood door lock used by the Bambara people, Mali, Africa, with crosspiece. The top is an animal head with horns possibly an antelope. Includes...

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:...

19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Intricate graphical swirl design and tips are shaped with large flat ends with cross pattern des...

Early 20th-century brass currency bracelet / Manilla in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Hand-stamped and shaped graphical motives and the ti...

Toussiana Plank Bird from Burkina Faso Mid XXem Provenance: private Swedish collection , auction The TOUSSIAN live in the Southwest of Burkina Faso. The mask presented here is a Loni...

An iron figurine made in Africa around the 20th century. In many countries in Africa, iron objects are used for objects, coins, tools, and rituals. Dogo...

Fantastique African Dogon tribal bronze figure “Mother with Child,” Burkina Faso, 1970s The heavy figure shows a dynamic representation of a mother in motion with her toddler in her arms. The object is so appealing because it has been elongated and the legs, arms, and headdress are exaggerated. The ribbed headdress is central, and there are also large earrings and a loincloth. The casting is very detailed and finely crafted. Due to its weight and size, we have mounted the object on an acrylic base. Dimensions of the figure: W 18cm x D 6cm x H 69cm Bronze figures associated with the Dogon people mainly originate from Mali and Burkina Faso. The Dogon are known for their cosmogony and religious rituals, which are reflected in their art. Dogon bronzes...

With a low seat supported by two splayed legs, this Lobi backrest from Burkina Faso exhibits a wonderful form with a long, reclining back support. Throughout, the surface of the piec...

Large Dance or Votive Mask, carved wood with geometric decoration in blue, orange, and white Burkina Faso, circa 1910–1920 Height: 80 cm This large carved wooden mask, richly decora...

Bwa mask from Burkina Fasso Burkina Faso, Black Volta River region Culture: Bwa peoples Provenance: Private Swedish collection Bwa plank masks are conceive...

This crescent-shaped bronze pendant, features a central abstract figure. Below the figure, two stylised small birds perch in the middle of the pendant. Throughout, the surface of the...

A Very Fine Carved Staff by Sikiré Kambiré (1896 - 1963) Fine colour and patina Wood Lobi, Burkina Faso Early 20th Century Size: 104cm high - 40¾ ins high Provenance: Ex Priv...

Ovoid pots were an elegant storage solution in African tribal life. This beautifully balanced example is attributed to the Toussian people of Western Burkina Faso. Masterfully made to protect its contents from the elements, pots such as this one were coiled by female ceramists to hold food or personal...

A small funny and unusual folk Art bag, made by Coca Cola crown caps wired together. Burkina Faso, late 80s.

Beautiful large African urn in terracotta made by the Lobi people of Burkina Faso. This urn is very decorative with a small figure sitting on the lid. The urn is 81 cm high and 45 c...