Congolese Folk Art

Two old Kuba cloths - a type of raffia cloth made from woven natural palm leaf fibers unique to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa. Previously one long cloth measuring 206...

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...

Early old carved wood mask without eyes, from the Lega peoples, Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa. Old patina, Simple elegant heart shaped face with long nose and raised eyebrows....

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...

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...

Old Used African carved wood Mbira or Sanza Finger Piano made of wood and metal from the Luba people of Congo, with projecting head. Nice shape with projecting detailed head at top,...

Old Used African carved wood Mbira or Sanza Finger Piano Wood Metal from the Luba people of Congo, carved wood in the form of an open box with large projecting head coming forward fr...

Very rare African Dagara mask Ngbaka people. Africa, Congo, early to mid 20th century A beautiful early to mid 20th century African so called 'Dagara’ mask from the Ngbaka and Mbanj...

Old Used African carved wood mbira or sanza finger or thumb piano, made of wood with metal strips, from the Tabwa people of Congo with head projecting from top. Nice shape with smal...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

A late 19th or early 20th century Kuba Prestige cloth, mostly embroidered with cut pile borders.

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...

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...

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...

This is a very rare Palm Wine Cup from the Kuba people of Congo. Carved in the early part of the 20th century , possibly earlier. Carved with classic Royal geometric patterns with a ...

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...

This is a very rare early 20th century sword from the Gbaya people of Congo. An impressive example of metalwork in the form of a Cockerel demostrating the owners status and masculini...

Early carved wood Salampasu Warrior's Mask with black finish, Zaire, Africa early 20th century, remains of black and white pigments, on custom stand. Strong angular cubist mask wit...

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...

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...

With a beautiful dark patina, this early 20th century wooden mask shows a naturalistic human face, flattened, with the forehead, open mouth and stylised teeth in light relief; the ri...

20th Century bark cloth painting, Mbuti (Efe) people, Ituri Forest, D. R. Congo A painted barkcloth from the Efe people in the Ituri forest of no...

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...

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, di...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

This petite cone-shaped cap, known as laket, was created by an artisan of the Kuba peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The base is made of a simple woven raffia fabric, ...

Early finely carved hard wood Kuba figural cup, Congo with rich patina. In the form of a stylized face with the base of the cup a foot. Great incised classic Kuba crisscross design for hair. Deep patina from extensive use, early 20th century. Small chips to top rim. Great stylized heart shaped face with expressive eyes. Measures 6 1/5 x 3 1/2 x 5 inches. Kuba palm wine cups...

Important statue of the Yaka tribe, DR Congo from the beginning of the 20th century with a strong expression Fair tribal patina Height 35.5 cm Provenance: Rob Vervoort (Belgium)

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...

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

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...

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...

Noblewoman’s Ceremonial Overskirt Shoowa People, DR Congo 20th century Raffia, palm fiber, stem stitch and cut pile embroidery 49 x 23 ins. (124.5 x 58.5 cm)

A Powerful Kongo Fetish Figure Wood, metal, cloth, nails, glass Areas of dark, black lacquered patina, worn through from use The cavity to the stomach now empty Kongo Peoples, Dem...

20th Century bark cloth painting, Mbuti people, Ituri Forest, D. R. Congo A wonderful barkcloth from the Mbuti people in the Ituri forest of northeastern Democratic Republic of the ...

An early 20th century antique African tribal leg band (ankle bracelet), These leg bands were both currency and status symbols for the Mongo tribe of northwest Congo. They were ma...

This rare 18th-century Ngelima bronze currency manilla is a stunning artifact, weighing an impressive 20 pounds of solid bronze. Adorned with intricate incised line drawings at its e...

Anthropomorphic Chokwe whistle - DR Congo / Angola - first half 20th century Small carved wooden whistle representing a stylized figure, characteristic of the Chokwe aesthetic. The f...

Reference book on the art of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire). 180 mounted color illustrations + numerous b&w illustrations. large heavy book, weight: 8 lbs Art of Africa: Treasures from the Congo Cornet, Joseph Published by Phaidon Press, Ltd., London (1971...

Contemporary African single mask created by the artist Bomber Bax. The mask dates back to the early 1900s and was subsequently processed and painted in late 2022 by the artist. The...

Kuba palm wine bowl - Democratic Republic of the Congo - first half 20th century Palm wine cup carved in dense wood by a Kuba craftsman, in the form of a stylized female head resting...

Powder horn - Kongo, DR Congo - early 20th century Carved wooden powder horn with globular body and removable lid. The surface is entirely covered with finely incised geometric decor...

Pende mask with textile headdress and plant fiber beard, first half 20th century, DR Congo Wood-carved mask of the Pende people, featuring a stylized face with geometric features, ma...

Luba Katatora “Kashekesheke,” Congo, ca. 1950 Traditional Luba Kashekesheke of the Katatora type, carved from wood and topped with a stylized female head. Beautiful brown patina fro...

Kuba palm wine bowl - Democratic Republic of the Congo - early 20th century Kuba anthropomorphic bowl carved from a single block of wood and intended for the consumption of palm wine...

Kuba bowl - Democratic Republic of the Congo - first half of the 20th century Kuba bowl carved from a single block of wood and resting on a flared circular foot. The wall is decorate...

Seated Kuba figure - Democratic Republic of the Congo - first half of the 20th century Male figure in carved wood representing a squatting figure, elbows resting on knees and hands s...

Semicircular wooden box with lid, designed to hold tukula (red powder), decorated with finely incised geometric motifs composed of triangles and lines on the lid and sides, in the ce...