Congolese Folk Art
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Place of Origin: Congolese
Kuba Iron Currency Spear, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
While shield and spear were central to African combat, this iron example was most likely made to serve as a piece of trade currency. Many pre-colonization African currencies were modeled after objects of inherent value, resulting in sculptural combinations of function and beauty.
This large iron spear dates to the early 20th century and is attributed to the Kuba people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Secured to a narrow handle of iron and wood, the flattened blade has an elegant, sloping silhouette, subtly textured with raised lines and a rusted, antique patina. Forged as a broadleaf spear, the weapon contrasts a violent potential with images of peaceful branches swaying in the wind. We've set this unusual Kuba spear...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Iron
African Topoke Iron Currency Blade, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Minimalist Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Kuba Beaded Laket Prestige Cap
By Kuba
Located in Chicago, IL
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, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Shell, Fabric
Art of Africa Treasures from the Congo Hardcover Table Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
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...
Category
Late 20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Paper
1950's Lega 'Idimu' Mask, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Located in London, GB
This mid-twentieth century finely carved mask, from the Lega culture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, displays the typically heart-shaped face of Lega 'Idimu' masks. Traces o...
Category
1950s Tribal Vintage Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Raffia, Hardwood
Antique African Tribal Sculpted Statue
Located in Miami, FL
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...
Category
19th Century Antique Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Iron
$880 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Kuba Shoowa Cut-Pile & Embroidered Cloth, DR Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Raffia
Early Pende Giwoyo Mask with Strong Face and Woven Black Raffia Hair Cap
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Old Pende giwoyo mask with traces of yellow, black and red pigments and woven black raffia hair cap. Strong face with tight expression, weathered surface, goo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Organic Material, Wood
$3,600 Sale Price
20% Off
African Kuba Helmet Mask on Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Helmet Mask known as Bwoon from the Kuba Tribe in the Kasai region of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa circa mid-20th century. The carved wood mask was decorated with copper plates on the face, and lavished embellished with trade beads, raffia cloth with cowrie shells and hanging seed pods, fur possibly from monkey. The surface and the interior both display good patina indicates a native use (contact rubbing) and age.
Bwoom is one of three types of royal Kuba masks...
Category
20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Old Pende giwoyo Red Mask with Beard and Woven Raffia Hair Cap Congo Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Old Pende giwoyo mask with red pigments, black and white beard with carved triangles and woven black raffia hair cap
The mask is 13 1/4 inches high, on custom...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Organic Material, Wood
Salampasu Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Bamboo
$980
19th century African wicker shield from the Ngombe/Doko tribe, Ubangi area DRC
Located in Bilzen, BE
A rare wicker war shield with a fine woven and dyed natural pigment patern from the Ngombe/Doko tribe from the Ubangi area DR Congo
Late 19th century
The shield is intense used in ba...
Category
Late 19th Century Tribal Antique Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber
African Textile Showa Kuba
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Rare vintage African Kuba Textile, suitable for a modern wall panel, on a long table ; perfect as headboard.
Handwoven and hand dyed raffia fabric.
An IDEA: use this item as backrest...
Category
Mid-20th Century Archaistic Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Raffia
Rare Raffia Fibre Pygmy Baby Sling or Carrier, DRC
Located in London, GB
This baby sling or carrier from the equatorial forest region of north-eastern DRC has an amazing contemporary appearance.
The carrier is made from multiple strands of twisted and kn...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Raffia
Selection of Authentic Kongo Knives
Located in Leuven , BE
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...
Category
1930s Vintage Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Metal
$12,485 / set
Midcentury African Tribal Wooden Sculptural Commando Staff RDC Luba, 1960s
Located in Salzburg, AT
Kusu command rod
This prestigious staff among chieftain regalia is composed of different carved sections that form an iconographic language related to the history of the ancestor or...
Category
1960s Tribal Vintage Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Kuba Woman's Prestige Hat (Mpaan)
Located in London, GB
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Shell, Beads
Kuba Mweel Mask
Located in Austin, TX
"Residing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Kuba people are true artisans whose craftsmanship fueled traditional rituals, performances, and storytelling. Natural materials, in...
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Shell, Burlap, Wood
$464 Sale Price
69% Off
1930's Woven Bark Fibre Panel
Located in London, GB
This 1930's panel, from the Mbole culture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has been woven from bark fibre. Dark-coloured strands of fibre, dyed with the roots of a banana tre...
Category
1930s Tribal Vintage Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber
Fine 1950's Mbuti Bark Cloth With Biomorphic Motifs
Located in London, GB
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the asymmetric, spontaneous and animated patterns of bark cloths made by Mbuti women for dances, festivities and coming-of-age ceremonies ref...
Category
1950s Tribal Vintage Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber
Dance mask, Kifwebe, Songye, Congo
By Songye Tribe
Located in Stockholm, SE
Dance mask/ sculpture. Known as a Kifwebe mask. Songye. Carved wood. 20th century.
With a few flaws and repairs.
Category
20th Century Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Two Tribal Bronze Konga Anklet Leg Band
Located in North Hollywood, CA
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
$1,850 / set
African carved wooden statue - Congo
Located in Linkebeek, BE
African carved wooden statue - Congo
Tribal Art - Congo - African
Measures : 15x30cm H:62cm
Category
20th Century Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
African Luba Mboko Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Receiving guidance from tribal ancestors was a central aspect of the Luba people's spiritual practices. This ceramic spiritually significant vessel is topped with a crossed leg figure whose head has an opening critical for a divination ritual. Known as an mboko, this handled vessel would have been filled with items like antelope horns, shells, dried beetles, human teeth...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Mbuti Ituri traditional handpainted Pygmee bark cloth
By OTHR
Located in Zemst, BE
Mbuti Ituri (Congo) traditional handpainted Pygmee bark cloth.
+/- 1920
These cloths we're made from the inside of the bark of the Ficus latex tree.
After been prepared and dryed, ...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
African Seated Luba Figure
Located in Chicago, IL
Artisans from the Luba tribe were renowned for the organic flow of their carving style. This example clearly shows the smooth transition from aspect to aspect, maintaining a singular...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Tongue-in-Cheek Mounted Kuba Cloth Panel
Located in Chicago, IL
A provocative late 20th century Kuba cloth panel with a bold zigzag and diamond pattern woven in black and natural cut pile raffia surrounding a tongu...
Category
Late 20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Raffia
Ceramic Mask by N Dala, Congo, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful ceramic mask by N. Dala. Democratic Republic of the Congo
Perfect original conditions, 1975.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Terracotta
20th Century Bark Cloth Painting, Mbuti People, D.R. Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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 ...
Category
1970s Tribal Vintage Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber
Antique Kuba Shoowa Cut-Pile & Embroidered Cloth, DR Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Raffia
C.P. Initials, Portait of African Girl, Charcoal on Paper, Signed Banzyville 1944
Located in Leuven , BE
C.P. Initials,Portait of African Girl,Charcoal on Paper,Signed Banzyville 1944,Framed,Signed and Dated
Category
1940s Vintage Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Kuba Bwoom Mask
Located in Austin, TX
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Copper
$648 Sale Price
64% Off
Two Mounted Mbole Woven Bark Fibre Panels, DRC
Located in London, GB
Woven panels such as this would have decorated the walls of a traditional meeting house.
The panels are made from woven bark fibre decorated with striking geometric designs. The da...
Category
1930s Tribal Vintage Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber
African Textile Showa Kuba also for Backrest Cover
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Vintage African Kuba textile, suitable for a modern wall panel, on a long table or to make pillows.
Handwoven and hand-dyed raffia fabric -
An IDEA: ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Raffia
Fine Early Prestige Kuba Chieftain's Cap (Laket Mishiing)
Located in London, GB
Traditionally worn as a symbol of rank and title, this beautiful Kuba chieftain's cap (laket mishiing) is embellished with cowrie shells and rows of blue, white and black glass beads. The body of the hat has been fashioned from raffia fibre using the woven basketry technique, and displays the typical form of the Kuba 'laket' cap, with four scallop-shaped 'ears'. When worn, one of the 'ears' would have been squarely positioned at the front of the wearer's forehead.
Given to Kuba men upon completion of an initiation rite, small dome-shaped raffia hats signalled their transformation into mature members of Kuba society. As a Kuba man moved up the social ladder, his headgear would change, with male titleholders commissioning local artisans to produce splendidly decorated prestige hats to signal his rank. The accumulation of materials on a Kuba man’s hat...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Shell, Natural Fiber, Beads
19th Century Bronze Alloy Mongo/Ekonde Woman's Leg Adornment ('Konga'), DRC
Located in London, GB
Married women of the Mongo and Ekonde cultures in the Democratic Republic of the Congo wore heavy cast bronze leg adornments such as this, known as 'Konga'. This piece was sand cast,...
Category
19th Century Tribal Antique Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
African Lidded Vessel, Congo
Located in New York, NY
The Shi peoples are agriculturalists living on the shores of Lake Kivu in D.R. Congo. Artistically they are best known for their distinctively carved cups and pitchers...
Category
20th Century Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Ancient Cubist Danced Kuba Mask Black Patina Cone Eyes Congo Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early 1800s Wrought Iron Mbili African Currenzy on Metal Stand
Located in New York, NY
Rare Mbili currency used in the Ngbaka, Lobala and Bangala tribes in Congo. Circa Early 1800s, this spear point form is made in iron. It was used as a ma...
Category
Early 19th Century Tribal Antique Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wrought Iron
Pair of African Spear Currencies 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 Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Metal
$3,090 / set
Noblewoman's Ceremonial Overskirt, Kuba People
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Noblewoman’s Ceremonial Overskirt
Shoowa People, DR Congo
Mid 20th century
Raffia, palm fiber, stem stitch and cut pile embroidery
42.5 x 2 ins. (108 x 51 cm)
An unusual overskirt ...
Category
1950s Tribal Vintage Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Raffia
Wooden Statue of the Suku Tribe – Congo – Early 20th Century
Located in Bilzen, BE
Wooden Statue of the Suku Tribe – Congo – Early 20th Century
Ex. Belgian colonial collection Ex. Kellim Brown, Brussels Ex. Zemanek-Münster
A superb wooden statue carved by the Su...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Kuba (Bushong) Raffia Fiber Textile Panel From Woman’s Skirt, D.R. Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Raffia
Genuine Slit Drum from the Yaka tribe DR Congo Early 20th Century
Located in Bilzen, BE
An early 20 th century Yaka one-piece hand carved ‘Diviner’s’ slit drum depicting a head, that when struck is said to serve as the mouth of the oracle’s voice. Among the Yaka People ...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
A Powerful Kongo Fetish Figure
Located in London, GB
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Important Statue Of The Yaka Tribe, Dr Congo, early 1900
Located in Bilzen, BE
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)
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Pende-Style Antelope Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
Masks from the Pende people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are considered some of the most dramatic works of African art. The Pende have defined an extensive range of mask forms, many with distinct characters embodied during ritual ceremony. Colored by red and white pigments, this Pende mask...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Tribal Raffia Hat from Africa
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Exceptional Tribal Art piece, an African ceremonial hat made out of
hand-woven Raffia,the raffia has a nice warm and natural Brown color and has hand-painted African decorations and ...
Category
1990s Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Raffia
Iron Spear Currency, Topoke, DR Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Other Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Iron
African Textile by Kuba, Zaire - for Backrest Cover
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
B/874/1 - Vintage African Kuba textile, suitable for Wall hanging or table -
An IDEA: use this item as backrest covering of a sofa !
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Raffia, Cotton
Yaka Standing Wood Janus Male/Female Divination Figure DRC Congo, Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Yaka Carved wood standing Janus back to back male/female divination figure DRC Congo, Africa.
Male figure side with open mouth with exposed carved teeth. Female side with traces of...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
$2,800 Sale Price
20% Off
A tip stool / seat backrest from the Kuba tribe DR Congo, late 19th century
By Kuba
Located in Bilzen, BE
A genuine tip stool / backrest carved in wood with a rich tribal using aged patina with geometrical motifs
this stool is dating from the end of the 19th century
Heigth in the middle...
Category
Late 19th Century Tribal Antique Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Mukinka Mask from the Salampasu tribe, DR Congo, middle 20th century
Located in Bilzen, BE
A wooden mask from the Salampasu tribe called Mukinka.
The mask is covered with copper pieces from 1 x 2 cm and has a beard in vegetal fiber, the top of the head is also covered with...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Noblewoman's Ceremonial Overskirt, Kuba People
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Noblewoman’s Ceremonial Overskirt
Shoowa People, DR Congo
First half 20th century
Raffia, palm fiber, stem stitch and cut pile embroidery
49 x 23 ins. (124.5 x 58.5 cm)
The eroded ...
Category
Early 1900s Tribal Antique Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Raffia
Early Carved Wood Kuba Figural Cup, Congo, Africa Base in Form of Foot
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Small Wrapped Bundled Yaka Fetish on stand, DRC Congo, Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Classic Yaka fetish of darkened wood with polished and worn patina, wearing a conical hat, and enclosed by wrapped fetish bundle. Typical Yaka face with strong lines on face outlini...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Old Yaka Slit Drum, Deep Patina, Original Striker Congo Early 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Old early Yaka slit drum, deep patina wear and polish from years of use, with original striker. From the Yaka people, Democratic Republic of Congo, early 20t...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
$1,596 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century, Copper Crosses Called Handa, Katanga Region, D. R. Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Copper crosses called Handa, Katanga region, Republic of Congo, 19th century.
Cast copper in the shape of an equal-armed cross used as a form of curren...
Category
19th Century Tribal Antique Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Small early Kuba Cup With Sweet Face, Fine Hair, Handle DRC, Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Small early Kuba Cup With Sweet Face, Fine Hair, Handle DRC, Africa
Finely carved hair in tight geometric form, small projecting ears. Some damage and wear t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique African Stool, Congo
Located in Schellebelle, BE
African stool with a great patina,
Decorated with African Tribal Figures,
Good great old patina of the wood,warm finish and glanze,
Dates fro...
Category
1960s Vintage Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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