Congolese Folk Art

Large copper currency piece from the Mbole people in Democratic Republic of Congo, in a large hollow hand hammered form. These were worn by women at the end of the 19th century as an...

Antique Kuba Shoowa Cut-Pile & Embroidered Cloth, DR Congo A graphically compelling example of a Kuba raffia fiber prestige cloth with cut pile and stitched embroidery. In very good...

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 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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Antique Kuba Shoowa Cut-Pile & Embroidered Cloth, DR Congo A graphically compelling example of a Kuba raffia fiber prestige cloth with cut pile and stitched embroidery. In very good...

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...

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...

Rare large twin faced Lega mask of the Bwami society in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), circa 1930s. This mask is very rare in that it is a large size ceremonial mask and would h...

Classic Luba Kabeja Janus Double Figure or fetish with Skirt fetish of darkened wood with polished and worn patina. Striking eyes, and both male and female figures shown with hands ...

Bring a piece of African heritage into your space with this authentic vintage Katanda mask from the Lega people of DR Congo. Hand-carved in the mid-20th century, this tribal mask is ...

Antique Bena Lulua Mask Late 1800s to Early 1900s – Democratic Republic of the Congo This striking primitive folk art mask hails from the Bena Lulua people of the Democratic Republi...

Traditionally, Kifwebe masks were created and worn by members of the secret masking society, Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe, of the Luba and the Songye People living in the central part of the Co...

A whimsical and playful early 20th century leopard-form mancala game board carved with the board resting on the leopard's back and with a patina that only a hundred years of use coul...

Antique Kuba Shoowa Cut-Pile & Embroidered Cloth, DR Congo A graphically compelling example of a Kuba raffia fiber prestige cloth with cut pile and stitched embroidery. In very good...

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.

Early 20th Century Woven Ceremonial Royal Fan, Chokwe People, D. R. Congo A rare and finely woven fan attributed to the Chokwe ethnic group of Angola, southwestern D. R. Congo and n...

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...

This is a fantastic piece likely made by the Mangetu tribe of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is finely detailed and quite large and hefty. These pieces were originally made...

This is tapa (bark cloth) made by the Mbuti people, also known as pygmies, an indigenous people who live in the Ituri Forest, which stretches from northeastern Democratic Republic of...

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...

This piece is called a Kuba mask. It was made in Congo. Its a helmet and a mask. Its decorated with cloth, beads and shells. its nicely carved and would make a statement in your home...

Small sweet early Kuba Cup with refinedf face, finely carved hair, with a handle, from the DRC, Africa Finely incised hair in tight geometric form, small proj...

Discover the soul of Africa through this authentic Salampasu mask from DR Congo, handcrafted in the mid-20th century. Part of a carefully curated collec...

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...

Shoowa Prestige Cloth Kuba Shoowa peoples DR Congo, Kasai Region Raffia palm fiber, natural and chemical dyes, cut-pile and stem stitch embroidery 24.5 x 24.5 inches (62 x 62 cm) ...

The African Kuba Bwoom tribal mask is the oldest known mask, the Kuba bwoom mask. The materials used for the realization of the Mask are: Wood, colors and vibrates plants, caures, beads, animal hair. In dance it expresses exuberance and joy. The style is similar to that of the middle Kasai. This mask is a helmet with animal hair, carved with a very wide forehead and hollow cheeks that are announced by motifs or dashes and beads. The mouth of the mask is very pronounced carved in wood and then applied on the mask. To distinguish the forehead in different areas are used black and white beads to draw attention to other aspects of the face such as the nose and chin. The entire edge of the chin is surrounded by beads of various colors. The person wearing the mask cannot look because there are no holes for the eyes present; the mask must create the feeling of being blind. Some masks similar to the bwoom mask include the funny mask, the ram mask and initiation masks such as Nnup. The real Kuba masks...

This is an old African coin. Before paper money and money were in circulation, bartering was taking place in Africa. Various goods such as textiles, fea...

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...

Ancient Cubist Kuba Dance Mask Black Patina, Cone Shaped Eyes, from the Congo, Africa. It is in good condition with wear, polish and erosion from traditional use, appropriate for it...

Democratic Republic of Congo, Late 19th Century Wood, glass bead (inlay) Provenance: Didier Claes – Danisc Collection (Ole Christiansen) A rare and elegant example of a Kuba palm wi...

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...

Noblewoman's Skirt. Kuba People, DR Congo. Raffia palm fiber, appliqué, embroidery. Measures: 146 x 31 inches (371 x 79 cm).

20th century Prestige cloth, Shoowa people, Kuba Kingdom, D. R. Congo A syncopated pattern of opposing forces lends this prestige cloth a sense of movement both horizontally and v...

Kutu Anklet-Ekonda culture, Democratic Republic of Congo. Puddle cast, forged and engraved copper alloy. The beautiful ankle cuff sculpture, is hand-forged, very heavy and a great tr...

African Art by Tshibanda Bondo, Relief in Brass, 1978 Tshibanda Bondo (Senegalese, born 1947) African art with relief in brass Scene of a sitting person Signed and dated 1978 The s...

Pende or Kwese black wood small mask heavy eyelids, open mouth with carved teeth, curved scarification marks on cheeks. Heavy black patina on front and inside from years of traditio...

African Art by Kasongo Kamba, Lumiere Dans Une Lumiere, Relief in Brass 1977 African Art by Kasongo Kamba, Title: Lumiere dans une lumiere, African Art...

A Kuba mat from the Kasai region of the D.R.Congo These were used on the ground, there are photos showing the Kuba King seated on similar ones. Raffia cord is wrapped around the thic...

Kholuka Yaka Mask, DR Congo. Wood, basketry, textile, raffia. Typical African mask of the Yaka in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Kholuk...

This is a wonderful piece likely made by the Mangetu tribe of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is finely detailed and quite large and hefty. These pieces were originally made...

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...

Old early classic Yaka slit drum, deep patina wear and polish from years of use, with original striker. From the Yaka people, Democratic Republic of Congo, e...

This sculptural metal form is a Mbole currency anklet from the early 20th century. Worn by both men and women, this type of leg ornament (ambi) was worn at the ankle as ceremonial at...

Ceremonial comb, Luba People, Zaire, D. R. Congo Made of palm leaf midribs, this large, graphic comb has a pinched waist and is held together with finely wrapped wire. Presented o...

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...

Masque Guéré originaire de la frontière entre la Côte d'Ivoire et le Liberia. Ces masques étaient utilisés lors de cérémonies pour assurer l'ordre et éloigner les menaces. Les yeux r...

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...

Carved wood standing Janus back to back male and female divination figure from the Yaka people of DRC Congo, Africa. Male figure side with open mouth with exposed carved teeth. Fem...

The knives were handmade with heavily decorated Forged Iron blades with embellished wooden handles. They would use brass or leather wrappings and tacks that turned their weapons into...

Ancient wooden stool with four feet dating to the 19th century. From Congo, Africa. Provenance: Galerie Démons et Merveilles, Paris; Private Collection, United Kingdom.

Mid-20th Century Dance Skirt Panel, Kuba, D.R.Congo A wonderful, almost op-art Kuba dance skirt panel with an appliqued design of four squared spirals. Th...

Rare pair of African sandals, with beautifully articulated little Luba 'Kifwebe' (mask) heads as toe holds. Wonderful aged 'footprints' produced from great use.

While shield and spear were central to African combat, this iron sword blade was most likely made to serve as a piece of trade currency. Many pre-colonization African currencies were...

Old Bronze and Wood Figurative Pipe from the Bamum peoples, Cameroon, Africa Early 20th Century. Cast bronze seated figure with expressive face and beard. Long carved attached wood...