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Nigerian Folk Art

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Place of Origin: Nigerian
Opon Igede Ifa - Divination Bowl, Yoruba People, Nigeria, Early 20th Century
By Yoruba People
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Hand-carved Opon Igede Ifa or divination bowl, Yoruba People, Nigeria, early 20th Century. A Babalawo ("diviner") of the West African Yoruba people uses an Opon Igede Ifa to store th...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Vintage Nupe Cast Bronze Purse Container Bells and Rings Early 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Vintage Nupe of Nigeria thinly cast hollow bronze purse or container, probably created by the lost wax process with attached bronze bells and rings. Hollow with fine overlaid designs...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

Fine Yoruba Ibeji Female Pair African Tribal Art
Located in London, GB
Good of female Yoruba Ibeji Figures Finely carved in dense wood with linear decoration to the body Nigeria Period Early 20th century Size: 27 and 25 cm Condition: Good Fine...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Hardwood

Woman Carrying Baby in a Papoose, Kola Nut Holder from Abeokuta, Nigeria, 1950s
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Carved wooden kola nut holder, depicting a woman carrying a baby in a papoose and holding a bowl overhead, from Abeokuta, Nigeria, 1950s There is a small...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Yoruba Nigeria African Royal Beaded Headdress Crown on Lucite Stand
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
West African hand beaded head dress crown from Yoruba, Nigeria. This artistic beautiful and functional art piece is covered with beads in turquoise, orange, green, yellow red, blue ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Nigeria Yoruba Agere Ifa Divination Cup, first half 20th century
By Yoruba People
Located in Bilzen, BE
Ritual cup for divination and/or medicine the cup rests on 2 figures of stylized birds Beautiful dark patina, partly crisp and shiny The Yoruba of Nigeria consult Ifa on all question...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Wrought Iron Yoruba Ọ̀sanyìn Staff
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th-century Yoruba Ọ̀sanyìn staff, meticulously crafted from wrought iron, features a prominent central bird surrounded by several stylized avian figures, symbolizing spi...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wrought Iron

African Tribal Yoruba, Nigeria Rider Figure Offering Bowl Early 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early Yoruba offering bowl in the from of a male figure with a beard riding on horse back surrounded by four small attendants, finely carved with nice patina from native use. Probabl...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Yoruba Edan Ogboni Figural Brass Staffs, 2 Pairs
Located in Astoria, NY
Two Pairs of Yoruba Edan Ogboni Figural Brass Staffs, each pair atop a stepped base, together with Segy Gallery documentation. Taller overall: 11.25" H x 5.25" W x 2.25" D. Provenanc...
Category

Late 19th Century Tribal Antique Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Gelede Headdress, Yoruba People, Nigeria, circa 1950s
By Yoruba People
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Gelede festivals honor the creative and dangerous power of women elders, female ancestors and goddesses known as "our mothers". The Gelede headdress often consists of two parts, a lo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Ere Ibeji Pair of Commemorative Figures, Abeokuta, Yoruba People Nigeria, 20th C
By Yoruba People
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Yoruba people have one of the highest incidents of twin births in the world. As a result, twin children are regarded as extraordinary, divine beings protected by Sango, the deity of ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Early Ibibio Standing Wood Male Shrine Figure, powerful, Nigeria, Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early Ibibio standing carved wood male figure, powerful expression with hands on sides of stomach, exposed teeth and vertical raised scarification marks on sides of face. From a shr...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Solid Brass/Nickel Alloy Cuff Bracelet, Nupe People, Nigeria, 19th/20th Century
By Nupe
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Late 19th or early 20th-century brass or copper alloy with higher nickel content. Bracelet in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Pierced design with rectangular shapes and carved swi...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Ekoi, Ejagham Janiform Headcrest, Nigeria
Located in Savannah, GA
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...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

African Yoruba Diviner's Red Beaded Sash Panel 1950
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
African Yoruba Diviner's Red Beaded Wall Hanging Panel Sash 1950. This extraordinary beaded wall hanging is a stunning example of Yoruba craftsmanshi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Textile, Beads

Fine Female Yoruba Ibeji Figure African Tribal Art Antiques
Located in London, GB
African tribal Art Antiques Female Ibeji figure Yoruba Nigeria A Finely carved  Ibeji Figure from early 20th century, with delineated teeth and l...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Hardwood

Old Igbo Helmet Mask, Agbogho Mmuo Masquerade
Located in Torquay, GB
A superb Igbo Nigeria helmet mask 'Agbogho Mmuo" or Maiden Spirit. Worn as masqurades during funerals, cleansing rituals, harvest festivals, weddings and ...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Gong Currency, Chamba, Nigeria
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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...
Category

20th Century Other Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Standing Carved Wooden Figural Spoon, Yoruba People, 1960s
By Yoruba People
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Large carved wooden spoon in the shape of a standing female figure, with a round bowl over her head, Yoruba People, circa 1960s. The numbers are the inventory numbers from Penn Stat...
Category

1960s Tribal Vintage Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Lively Standing Mumuye Figure with Expressive Face, Open Hair, Crest, Published
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early standing Mumuye stylized figure with crested hair and open work details. Classic rounded cubist forms that the Mumuye sculptors are known for. Nort...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

African Bug Bead Necklace, Old Hand-Cast Metal Beads
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Fulani, Nigeria Hand-cast brass beads on a hand-woven cord 19th century Measures: 17 in. / 43 cm 8 oz. / 227 g.
Category

19th Century Tribal Antique Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

Early Afikpo Stylized Geometric Mask, with Long Face Nigeria, West Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early finely carved African Afikpo mask with stylized geometric abstract long face. From Nigeria close to the Cross River. From an old collection in the Southwest. Overall dimensi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Fine Yoruba Ibeji Pair Ilorrin African Tribal Art
Located in London, GB
A pair of Ibeji figures from lIorin region Nigeria A male and female pair with purple brown patination and encrusted with cam wood powder Fine carvings from early 20th century Siz...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Hardwood

Bembe Bearded Male Figure Bust with Beard Hands on Stomach Staff Top DRC Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Striking Bembe bearded male bust figure with hands on sides of projecting stomach and finely carved beard. Stacking square hair style on top of head and projecting element hair on b...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Yoruba (Nigeria) Early 20th Century Cloth
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine early 20th Century hand spun indigo cotton and Trans-Sahara silk cloth.
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Cotton, Silk

Yoruba Indigo Cloth
Located in Greenwich, CT
Hand dyed Yoruba (Nigeria) cloth from the Esie area, 1950s.
Category

1950s Vintage Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Cotton

Extra Large Curved Hoe Currency, Angas, Nigeria
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Extra Large Curved Hoe currency Angas, Nigeria Early 20th century Iron Measures: 29.5 x 20.5 in. / 75 x 52 cm Height on custom display stand: 33.25 in. / 84 cm Weight: 20.6 pounds / 9.34 kg Combined weight with base: 43.8 pounds / 19.9 kg The large currency forms are comprised of a heavy sheet of iron forged into the shape of a curved hoe. They were customary gifts for a bride’s father as well as having a function during wedding celebrations (Ballarini, The Perfect Form...
Category

Early 20th Century Other Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Rain Making Currency, Mumuye, Nigeria
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Mumuye, Nigeria Iron 22.75 x 5 in. / 28 x 13 cm Height on custom display stand: 24.5 in. / 62 cm
Category

20th Century Other Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Traditional Hardwood Crocodile Carving, Nigeria, cira 1970s
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Decorative Folk Art hand-carved hardwood crocodile, with lots of details in the carving. Nigeria, circa 1970s.
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Hardwood

Ere Ibeji Pair of Commemorative Figures, Oshogbo, Yoruba People, Nigeria, 20th C
By Yoruba People
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Yoruba people have one of the highest incidents of twin births in the world. As a result, twin children are regarded as extraordinary, divine beings protected by Sango, the deity of ...
Category

1960s Tribal Vintage Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Impressive and Seldom Nigerian Large Basket Garment and Cover
Located in Antwerp, BE
An impressive and seldom Nigerian large basket garment and cover, with dyed patterned band. Those baskets where used to preserve grains. Tall colorful handwoven lidded basket from ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Straw

Yoruba Painted Veranda Post
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand carved with a figurative design, this TOTEM-like wooden post was crafted by an artisan of the Yoruba peoples of Nigeria. Resembling the tall houseposts used to support the roof of a home, this shorter post would have been placed on a veranda courtyard as a symbolic and decorative element and did not bear weight. This veranda post...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Yoruba Four Headed Egungun Headdress
By Yoruba People
Located in Chicago, IL
This wooden headdress was created by the Yoruba People of western Nigeria, and was worn during a masquerade known as egungun. A widespread Yoruba ritual, egungun performances honor a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Yoruba Egungun Headdress Mask
By Yoruba People
Located in Chicago, IL
Attributed to the Yoruba people of western Nigeria, this wooden headdress was worn during a masquerade known as egungun. A widespread Yoruba ritual, egungun performances honor a comm...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

African Nigeria Epa Helmit Mask with Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Epa helmet mask, Nigeria, Africa. Fully carved mother and child; painted red and black with touches of white; Provenance: The Children's Museum of Indianapolis; The Eiteljorg Mu...
Category

1950s Tribal Vintage Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

19th Century Igbo Spiral Copper Alloy Arm Adornment/Currency, Nigeria
Located in London, GB
Cast into a beautiful coiled form, this copper alloy Igbo woman's arm adornment from Nigeria was also used as a form of currency. This 19th century piece has developed a lovely green...
Category

19th Century Tribal Antique Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Copper

African Helmet Mask 'Gelede' from Yoruba Nigeria
Located in San Francisco, CA
Blacked wood helmet mask (Gelede), large human head surmounted by a dog eating a snake which curves around the head. No perforation for attachment to costu...
Category

20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Ere Ibeji Male Commemorative Figure, Yoruba People, Nigeria, early 20th C
By Yoruba People
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Yoruba people have one of the highest incidents of twin births in the world. As a result, twin children are regarded as extraordinary, divine beings protected by Sango, the deity of ...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Yoruba Beaded Sash, c. 1950
Located in Chicago, IL
This intricately-constructed colorful train was painstakingly created by Yoruba artisans in Nigeria in the mid-20th century. Recent designs such as this were based upon sashes that s...
Category

Mid-20th Century Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Shell, Fabric, Beads

Set of Three Early Twentieth Century Nigerian Door Panels
Located in London, GB
This set of three early twentieth-century panels, from the Nupe culture in Nigeria, display a blend of beautiful decorative designs, carved in low relief against a plain background. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Pair of African Mumuye Rain Wands on Stands
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of African Mumuye rain wands on custom stands. This pair of vintage tribal rain wands originate from the Mumuye peoples of West Africa, Nigeria. These forged-iron wands were utilized by the Mumuye shamans in rain-making ceremonies where they would place the bottom ends in small holes dug into the earth, and symbolically petition the gods for rain. This pair of Mumuye rain wands are each presented upon custom black iron stands, making a great pair of decorative objects...
Category

20th Century Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Iron

African Yoruba Painted Gelede Headdress
Located in Chicago, IL
This painted mask was created by the Yoruba People of western Nigeria, and was worn during a tradition known as Gelede. A blend of ritual and artistic spectacle, Gelede pays homage to the women of their Community, understood to possess spiritual powers capable of the benefit or the destruction of society. The Gelede masquerade is an opportunity to honor or condemn behaviors within the Community, through dance, art, satire, and poetry. Worn by veiled dancers, Gelede masks...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

19th Century Igbo Iron Spiral Currency (Manilla), Nigeria
Located in London, GB
This nineteenth-century spiral currency (Manilla), from the Igbo culture in Nigeria, is impressive in its size and exhibits a wonderfully exaggerated twisted, spiral form. Spiral ir...
Category

19th Century Tribal Antique Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Carved Twin figure Ibeji Yoruba People, Nigeria
Located in Leuven , BE
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 ...
Category

20th Century Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Adire Eleko Yoruba Textile
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Adire Eleko Woman's Wrapper Yoruba People Nigeria Circa 1960s-1970s Cotton) (2 panels), starch-resist and stencil dyed with indigo 74 x 67 3/4 ins (188 x 172 cm) "IRANA RDLEN " w...
Category

1960s Tribal Vintage Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Cotton

Yoruba Ibeji Twin Figures – Igbuke Workshop Oyo Nigeria African Tribal Art
Located in London, GB
African tribal art. Fine old male and female pair of Yoruba Ibeji Figures from the Igbuke carving workshop in Oyo. Igbuke was a known carver of Ibeji figures and this style is attri...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Hardwood

Yoruba Ibeji Twin Figure
By Yoruba People
Located in Chicago, IL
With one of the highest rates of twin births in the world, Yoruba cultures place special social and religious significance on twins, referred to as "emi alagbara" or "powerful spirit...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Framed Riga Gound from Nigeria With Tribal Motifs
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A framed Riga Gound from Nigeria. Elite Nigerian men wore grand, flowing garments known by various names: riga (Hausa), agbádá (Yorùbá), boubou (French), and mbubb (Wolof). This particular strip-woven riga features a off-white, very light grey tone with silk accents adding contrast. Skilled embroiderers—often trained in Arabic calligraphy—incorporated motifs once imbued with protective Islamic symbolism. Central to the textile is a leaf (gambiya) motif, linked to the Nupe people. A spiral design symbolizes the wearer’s spiritual journey toward God. The hem is lined with magenta silk, imported via trans-Saharan trade routes. Historically admired across cultures, the riga remains a cornerstone of pan-Nigerian male national dress today. This framed Riga Gound has a unique back story. Having owned a prominent antiques shop in Hong-Kong for more than two decades it was common for antique dealers to sometimes come to the shop and present items to sell...
Category

1980s Folk Art Vintage Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Cotton, Silk

Ibo-Izzi, Nigeria Old ‘Ogbodo Enyi’ Elephant Mask
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
This mask type of the Ibo-Izzi, a subgroup of the Ibo, is actually a dance crest. The elephant mask 'ogbodo enyi' is worn horizontally on top of the head...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

A colourful Yoruba beaded crown
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Yoruba People, Nigeria, 20th century Provenance: - Collection Rinck Hollnberger, Munich (purchased in the 1980s or 1990s)
Category

20th Century Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Beads

Omu Master
By Yoruba People
Located in Sharon, CT
Important Yoruba CarvingWoman with an Offering Bowl, reputedly by 'The Omu Master' Rich Patina. Christies lot 33 11/28/84. Ex Donald Morris Gallery
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Adire Eleko Yoruba Textile
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Adire Eleko “Spinning Tops" Woman’s Wrapper Yoruba People Nigeria Circa 1960s-1970s Cotton brocade (bazin cloth) (3 panels), starch-resist and stencil dyed with indigo 76 ¼ x 66 ½ ...
Category

1960s Tribal Vintage Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Cotton

Nocturnal Bird Mask, Nigeria, Africa, circa 1950
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Very beautiful mask with large pronounced eyes with the circular cavity shape. The mask depicts a nocturnal bird that can see in the darkness and manifest the presence of divinities ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Nigerian Wood-Carved "Ekpo Secret Society" Mask
Located in Miami, FL
Acquired from Albert F. Gordon's Tribal Arts Gallery in Manhattan in the early 1970s, this is an Eket-style mask, typical of the Nigerian tribe that resides in the Southeastern regio...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Benin Bronze Bell Sculpture Depicting an Oba
By People from Benin
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An exquisite Benin bronze sculpture in shape of a bell depicting an Oba. Oba translates to "ruler" in the Yoruba and Bini languages of contempor...
Category

20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

A colourful beaded Yoruba 'crown'
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Yoruba People, Nigeria, 20th century Provenance: - Collection Rinck Hollnberger, Munich (purchased in the 1980s or 1990s)
Category

20th Century Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Beads

19th Century African Iron Currency Mfunte Mfumte Nigeria Cameroon
Located in Point Richmond, CA
The price is for an individual currency and includes a stand. The custom stands can display the currencies horizontally with the rounded point facing to the left or right or mounted vertically. Please specify your preference. The shape of a Mfunte currency has a seemingly simple yet complex design. The forged iron surface was scratched in an end-to-end direction to create a visually interesting surface, a central raised vein to create two sections, and swelling was incorporated on the front at the straight end. The aging of the iron has further added to the texture and attractiveness of the design. Colonial coinage replaced Africa's traditional iron currencies...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Antique carved wooden headdress from the Yoruba tribe, Nigeria, 1900-1920
By Yoruba Tribe
Located in Bilzen, BE
A carved wooden headdress from the Yoruba tribe, Nigeria Strong expression face Early 20th century Rich tribal aged patina Heigth 12 cm, diameter 12 x 13 cm
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Edan Staffs for Ogboni Society, Yoruba People People, Nigeria, 20th century
By Yoruba People
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Pair of Bronze & Iron Ogboni Society staffs from the Yoruba People, Nigeria, early 20th century. Among the Yoruba, in southwestern Nigeria, there was and still is the Ogboni secret s...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Bronze, Iron

Nigerian Igbo-Ukwu Bronze Statue
Located in Oostende, BE
Late 19th century Igbo-Ukwu bronze statue from Nigeria. Cire perdue technique.
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Nigerian Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

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