North African Folk Art

A finely cast ancient Egyptian bronze cat head crowned with a scarab. The triangular face, elegantly modelled with tapering muzzle, incised whisker...

Named the ‘Bowl of the Traitor’ by German Egyptologist Hermann Schlögl, this finely inscribed fragment from a ritual vessel is believed to have belonged to Udjahorresnet, one of the ...

Large stone shabtis, known from the late Middle Kingdom and 18th Dynasty, reappeared in the 25th Dynasty for the pharaohs, Theban God's Wives, and the highest officials of Dynasty XX...

A finely modeled and beautifully proportioned example, this large Ushabti figure is a masterpiece of the type. As per the custom, he is depicted mummiform, wearing a striated tripar...

Traditional antique circa 1940s Collectible women face veil from the Sinai Bedouin Desert Garment Nikab framed in a lucite box. Museum quality well preserved Middle Eastern Bedouin women face veil, from the Bedouin tribes of the Sinai Desert. Face veil for a Bedouin Women, North Sinai Egypt or Palestine Mid 20th C. An amazing Niqab, Negev Bedouin veil from Palestine or Egypt. Worked on a base of thin red silk and cotton embroidery with antique Ottoman nickel silver coins, glass beads, wool, embroidered, stones, carnelians, glass, and amber. Mid 20th century, circa 1940-50s typical Middle Eastern traditional Arabian Bedouin, Egyptian, Palestinian face mask, garment, head dress, tribal jewelry, bridal veil. Showing heavily decorated in the bottom with silver nickel hands amulets for the Evil Eye protection and early textiles (wool and silk) and tassels hanging down. Face coverings were worn for centuries by the women of various nomadic tribal groups of North Africa and the Middle East. In the western desert of Egypt, Berber women living in Bedouin societies sometimes wear masks or veils called niqab. The veils serve multiple functions, including protecting the women’s face from sun damage, filtering dust from the air, displaying adornment, and demonstrating wealth or status. The niqab worn by Bedouin women on special occasions are sometimes elaborately decorated with coins and beads, like this one. Such masks are not for everyday use; they would be too hot and heavy. They are worn during special events, such as weddings and feasts. Face veil: 12" W x 19" L, circa 1915-1930. Last pictures are references from the book: "Traditional Palestinian Embroidery...

This beautifully preserved fragment is boldly sculpted in raised relief on a coarse grained sandstone. It features a portion of two columns of hieroglyphs which enumerate a hymn or...

This magnificent and large Late Period round-topped stele is deftly carved in shallow sunk relief. Below the arching top we find a winged solar-disk flanked by two uraei, and two sym...

Leather Shield, South Sudan A small leather shield typical of the region known as an upwal, concave hide is attached to a reed spine with plaiting to form a strong grip. Mounted on ...

Handcrafted Moroccan Berber Tribal Bracelet, Silver, 1950s Moroccan Berber ethnic bracelet from the High Atlas of Morocco. Handcrafted ...

Stone reliefs from the Old Kingdom such as this, were typically found in the door jambs for false doors in a funerary setting or tomb. Given the left facing direction of the striding...

A dazzling and dynamic composition, this brightly illustrated limestone stele fragment is dedicated to 'Penbuy,' a noted craftsman working in the Valley of the Kings and part of the ...

A Small Egyptian Bronze Statue of Harpocrates, Circa 1st Century B.C. / 1st Century A.D. The left hand holds the horn of abundance. Provenanc...

Vintage Moroccan mirror, hand painted, wooden Moorish window shaped mirror. Beautiful hand crafted mirror in a traditional hand painted Mooris...

:: Antique handmade African Neolithic era marble bracelet. These marble bracelets were hand carved in North Africa and likely used for currency. This piece is a unique collectible, w...

A 1920s handcrafted Ethnic bracelet by Berber women of Morocco. Women wear this kind of bracelet and silver jewelry for special ceremonies and wedding. Silver, but not of the standa...

Sculpted in sunk relief, this superb sandstone carving features a pharaoh facing right, wearing a broad collar and either the Red Crown or Double Crown fronted by a uraeus. He prese...

Heads of a king, like this one, became popular in the Late and Ptolemaic periods and may have been used as models for sculptors or votive offerings. In the form of a bust of a pharao...

This striking image, sculpted in sunken relief of a male bearded deity, likely represents Hapi, the Nile God. The features are prominent, with boldly carved lines, sharp contours, a...

This stunning mummy mask, although showing clear signs of age, retains a breath-taking aura, with dark rich patina, and sparkling inlaid eyes. As per the custom it is comprised of wo...

This superb sculptors model is carved in raised relief with the bust of a pharaoh in profile to the right. The noble face features a prominent chin and thick lips. A delicate eye-lin...

This set of two canopic jars represents unequivocal masterpieces of the type. Carved out of a beautifully rich white veined caramel alabaster, both jars are deftly executed and of r...

This exceptional canopic jar of broad-shouldered ovoid form, features four columns of incised inscription which include the owner’s name and that of the falcon-headed Son of Horus Qe...

A magnificent example, in both quality and condition, this beautifully preserved heart scarab is carved masterfully from a rich greenstone. The head, wingcase and legs are all well ...

A mythological composite creature that first appeared during the 4th Dynasty, the sphinx is one of the most iconic compositions in ancient Egyptian art. Featuring the body of a lion ...

This striking and rather curious object is the curved fragment preserving an edge of a monumental granite vessel. It features hieroglyphs along both the broad front side of the fragm...

This exquisite faience amulet is an Aegis featuring the head of Amun-Re. The god is seen here taking on the form of a ram, wearing a striated tripartite wig and sun disc fronted by ...

This delicately carved limestone head once belonged to a statue of an official and represents a classic example of old kingdom sculpture in the round. We can see the remarkable atte...

A charming amulet of Pataikos, dating to the Late period and the height of faience production in Egypt. The dwarf-like figure, depicted naked and squatting, with rounded belly and ar...

One of the finest known examples of the type, this superbly cast, and delicately gilded Oxyrhynchus fish is a masterpiece of the highest order. Naturalistically rendered with deeply ...

This beautifully rendered 'dummy' canopic jar is In the form of the human-headed Son of Horus, Imsety. It features an incised line indicating the division between the jar and the lid...

A beautifully preserved example, this superb sandstone head depicts an official wearing a smooth shoulder-length headcloth, over large naturalistic ears and fleshy, round face. The...

Moroccan Orientalist oil on canvas painting of a 19th century Moroccan market scene with an old men seating on a carpet selling old coins and a Moorish...

Antique Moroccan Fez Blue & White Ceramic Footed Vase with Filigree Metal Overlay, Early 20th Century. Dimensions: 10 in. x 14 inc. H. A striking antique Moroccan ceramic footed vase handcrafted in the historic city of Fez (Fès), renowned for producing some of Morocco's finest pottery for centuries. Dating to the early 20th century, this impressive vessel beautifully combines the celebrated ceramic traditions of Fez with the intricate artistry of Moroccan metalwork. Wheel-thrown from high-quality earthenware, the vase is decorated in the iconic "Bleu de Fès" palette, featuring richly painted cobalt blue floral and geometric motifs set against a luminous crackled white glaze. This distinctive blue-and-white decoration has long been associated with the master potters of Fez and reflects centuries of Andalusian, Moorish, and Islamic artistic influence. The ceramic body is enhanced by an elaborate handcrafted filigree metal overlay, composed of finely worked white metal and brass elements that wrap gracefully around the neck, body, handles, and pedestal foot. Decorative embossed bands, intricate openwork, and circular ring handles create a sophisticated interplay between ceramic and metal, showcasing the remarkable craftsmanship of Moroccan artisans. Its elegant baluster form, raised pedestal base, and twin ring handles evoke the refined decorative objects once found in traditional Moroccan riads and palaces. Originally created as an ornamental vase for displaying flowers or simply admired as a work of art, today it remains a stunning statement piece for both traditional and contemporary interiors. Rich in history and craftsmanship, this vase complements Moorish, Mediterranean, Spanish Colonial, Islamic, Hollywood Regency, Global, and Bohemian interiors, making it equally desirable for collectors and interior designers. Origin: Fez (Fès), Morocco Date: Early 20th Century Materials: Hand-thrown ceramic, white metal and brass filigree overlay Style: Moorish / Islamic / Moroccan Condition: Very good antique condition with age-appropriate wear consistent with use. Beautiful craquelure to the glaze and a rich patina to the metalwork, enhancing its authenticity and character. A superb example of traditional Moroccan craftsmanship, this antique Fez vase...

Moroccan glazed polychrome ceramic tureen with cover. Hand painted ceramic Jubbana, handcrafted by skilled Moroccan artisans in Fez Morocco. Moorish desi...

An authentic one-of-a-kind antique Moroccan Pictorial quirky rug 5'1'' x 8' item j5195

Set of two Moroccan brass Berber tribal sugar hammer. Moroccan Collectible Brass Berber Sugar Hammer,Brass Berber Tribal Sugar Hammer. Authentic old Tuare...

Eye catching pair of vintage Moroccan teapots handcrafted with an alluring blue glaze over terra cotta pots elaborately decorated with jewelry like hammered metal and stone handles. ...

Cartonnage masks such as this were used to protect and idealize the facial features of the deceased in burial. The oversized eyes outlined with extending cosmetic lines and conformin...

An under-glazed painted pottery bowl with abstract naive design, blue, ochre, brown. Moroccan antique pottery bowl of deep rounded form with flattened rim rising on a low ring foot, hand-painted on the exterior with black decoration, the interior in polychrome painted, having abstract design in blue and ochre with turquoise accents, crack lure. Handcrafted antique ceramic dish, Fez, Morocco, Circa 1880, Museum quality piece. Antique Mokhfia (couscous bowl...

This handsome late period limestone relief, still retains much of of it's original pigment, and serves as a reminder to the modern observer that the ancient Egyptian language was not...

Vintage Moroccan glazed polychrome ceramic jar tureen with cover. Hand painted ceramic Jubbana, handcrafted by skilled Moroccan artisans in Fez Morocco. Mo...

Large Moroccan glazed ceramic vase from Fez. Moorish Granada style ceramic handcrafted and hand painted with Arabic calligraphy writing. This kind of art writing looks calligraphic i...

Marroquin forged steel dagger with sheath. Beautiful koummya dagger with a sheath from the region of Morocco, circa 1870. The blade was created with forged steel, mounted in wood and brass and embellished with silver parts decorated with chiseled and engraved motifs. The dagger is curved with a tick double edge blade, the handle is ornate with silver and wood. Like swords and daggers in most cultures, the Islamic dagger...

Fabulous handcrafted antique Moroccan ceramic vase in Moorish style adorned with Fine filigree silver nickel work overlaid. The color of...

This Late Period to Ptolemaic Period Egyptian carved wood ear, once part of a mummy mask, stands as a poignant testament to ancient Egyptian customs and beliefs. Dating back over 250...

These big wooden beams from bedouin tents from the Sahara were Mid-20 Century made. The rich carving gives information about the respective tribal affilia...

Africa, Bongo Peoples, stone female commemorative figure from Southern Sudan. A fine specimen in naturally weathered condition; hand carved from a porous orange-black stone, 20th century. Similar funerary stone sculptures in various sizes were likely crafted over many centuries. Original patina from appropriate age. A nice custom base included. Dimensions: 30 inches high and 9.5 inches wide and 8 inches deep mounted on a custom iron base. Provenance: Old Brussels, Belgium collection acquired in 1998. History: The Bongo are an ethnic group living in South Sudan, mostly in the Tonj District. They speak the Bongo language, one of the Bongo-Baka languages. Unlike the Dinka and other Nilotic groups, the Bongo are not a cattle herding people and do not use cows for bride price. Subsistence farming is the primary source of food, though money is obtained by working in forestry, building, selling honey, and other various means. For similar examples see Barakat Gallery...

Apis, “the king of all sacred animals,” is depicted in this fine votive bronze statue. Striding forward on a rectangular integral plinth, his body is marked with characteristic inci...

Moroccan authentic Berber ethnic handwoven tribal throw pillow made from a vintage rug.The front and the back are made from a different rug, front...

Vintage Moroccan flat-weave stripe Kilim rug.Large size blanket vintage Moroccan rug, handwoven by Berber women in Morocco for their own use.This ethnic rug was made using flat-weave technique with linear pattern of alternating stripes in different cors in green, red, pink, black and ivory (a natural wo cor).This vintage Moroccan Kilim ethnic textile...

One of a kind large square room size with a happy-go-lucky large camel sitting on an ivory ground. The wool on this is phenomenal. it's soft on the feet. The hump on the camel has a ...

Middle Eastern, Palestinian, Egyptian Bedouin women face veil, from the Bedouin tribes of the Sinai Desert. Vintage or semi antique collector ethnic f...

A rare find this 19th century green velvet and goldthread ceremonial jewish cape, from Morocco.

Moroccan ethnic handwoven tribal throw pillow made from a vintage rug. The front of this Berber pillow and the back are made from a different rug, fron...

Carved hardwood mummy mask having a pink-brown painted ground, painted black eyes and brows. Wearing a black headband. Eyes and brows are restored. Scattere...

Large Moroccan glazed ceramic urn with lid from Fez. Moorish style ceramic handcrafted and hand painted with Arabic calligraphy writing. This kind of Art Writing looks calligraphic...

Drum-shaped body with geometric tribal motifs, brass nail decoration, and a beautiful aged patina. Its unique form, reminiscent of a turtle with a long neck, features two sturdy sid...

A rare mixed technique Berber rug ascribed to the Zemmour people, located in the Moroccan Middle Atlas, originally used as a saddle cover - an item of great prestige among Berber tri...

Moroccan "Boucherouite" rug. A Moroccan rag rug, woven entirely with cut-up pieces of fabric from old clothes, etc. - boucherouite means rag or torn cloth in Moroccan Arabic. A relatively recent phenomenon, such weavings are products of socio-economic changes in Moroccan society, with nomadic tribes settling in towns, abandoning animal husbandry and losing access to wool. A very creative, artistic response by talented Moroccan women...

Antique, 19th century Asian Middle Eastern collector two person wooden camel saddle with ornate brass mountings and iron reinforcements. 19th Century Midd...