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Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

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Place of Origin: Sub-Saharan African
"Crystal Hunt" Ghanaian Movie Poster
Located in Chicago, IL
Starring Donnie Yen, "The Bruce Lee of the 90s," "Crystal Hunt" was a martial arts film from Hong Kong made in 1991. Frequently, theaters in Ghana were unable to import official post...
Category

Late 20th Century Folk Art Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Canvas

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 Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Copper

Yoruba Osanyin Healing Staff, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
To cure mental and physical ailments, Yoruba priests and diviners invoke the aid of Osanyin, the god of herbal medicines. Used in divination rituals to cure the afflicted, this iron ...
Category

Early 20th Century Minimalist Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Tutsi Beaded Prestige Staffs
Located in Point Richmond, CA
A group of six beaded wood Tutsi and Hutu ceremonial objects, the green striped one second from right is a knife, the others were used as staffs by elite members of the Tutsi and Hu...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Cotton, Glass, Beads, Wood

Bronze Dan Bell, Cote d'Ivoire, 1960s
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Bronze Dan (also called Yakuba) bell, Cote d'Ivoire, circa 1960s. This Dan bell is made from the lost-wax process. It has a looped handle and stylized designs on the bell and around ...
Category

1960s Tribal Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

Early Twentieth-Century Finely Carved Small Chair, Ivory Coast
Located in London, GB
This early twentieth-century small chair displays a beautiful form. Typically low to the ground, such chairs are found among the Dan and Baule cultures in the Ivory Coast. Carved fro...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of Tamberma Shields on Stands
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of wonderfully sculptural early 20th century handwoven wicker shields from the Tamberma people of Togo, mounted on custom steel stands.
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wicker

Pair of Tamberma Shields on Stands
Pair of Tamberma Shields on Stands
$3,150 Sale Price
25% Off
Ere Ibeji Pair of Commemorative Figures, Egba, 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 Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Ere Ibeji Pair of Commemorative Figures, Ife, 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 Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

20th Century Tuareg Wedding Tapestry from Niger, Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Offered by Andres Moraga. Wedding blanket or tent hanging, "Arkilla Jenngo" Woven by Fulani weavers for a Tuareg noble family Inland Delta Region, Nige...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Baule Lost Wax Cast Bronze Circular Discs Butterfly Ivory Coast Africa Based
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Circular Lost Wax Cast Bronze Discs or pendants, one with beautiful butterfly in low relief. The other has abstract design, both have finely modeled rings as background to the design...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

Fine 19th/Early 20th Century Luba/Kusu Fetish Figure
Located in London, GB
This fine figure, from the Luba/Kusu culture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dates back to the early twentieth-century or before, to the nineteenth-century. The carved figur...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Folk Art Bag, Made by Coca Cola Crown Caps, Burkina Faso, Late 80’s
Located in Milan, IT
A small funny and unusual folk Art bag, made by Coca Cola crown caps wired together. Burkina Faso, late 80s.
Category

Late 20th Century Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Dan Janus Double Face Protective Kinde Charm, Ivory Coast, West Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Dan Janus double faced protective Kinde charm, from the Dan people of Ivory Coast, West Africa. Used as a charm for protection, with two different faces to show the duality of the w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Genuine copper mask from the Dinga / Ding tribe DR Congo, early 1900
Located in Bilzen, BE
A genuine mask hammered in copper from the Dinga / Ding tribe from the south of DR Congo Early 1900, but probably older This kind of anthropomorphic masks are called "ngongo munene"...
Category

1910s Tribal Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Copper

Kirdi Leather Shield on Custom Wall Mount
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderfully sculptural Kirdi leather shield from Cameroon, with a beautiful geometric pattern that's been 'stamped' into the leather resulting a raise...
Category

20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Leather

Antique African Tuareg Red Black and Brown Leather Bag
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage African Tuareg red, black and brown leather bag with fringes. A great old fringed leather bag from the Tuareg sourced in Mali. Handcrafted by the Tuareg women in Mali Africa ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Leather

Zulu Tribal Carved Wood Snuff Container, South Africa Finely Carved Incised
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Zulu Tribal carved wood Snuff Container, South Africa A finely carved snuff container with finely carved incised great geometric designs, a great example of the detailed work the Zu...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

African Baule statue Mother with Childs, Ivory Coast mid XXem
Located in Paris, FR
African Baule statue Mother with child, Ivory Coast mid XXem Provenance: Swedish private collection, from the 1980s. Then inherited within the family. B...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Glass, Wood

Mounted Dida Tie-Dyed Ceremonial Kerchief
Located in Chicago, IL
An incredible and rare mid-20th century Dida hand-plated Shibori tie-dyed raffia ceremonial kerchief mounted on a linen stretched board that floats off the wall in the shape of the k...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Raffia

Bamana N'tomo mask, Mali, 20th century
Located in NICE, FR
Bamana N'tomo mask, Mali, 20th century "Generally surmounted by three to eight horns forming a comb, the N'tomoface mask refers to a moment of compulsory education given to uncircumcised young boys in certain West African societies. The mask's discreet, even absent, mouth emphasizes the behavior expected of them in their future adult life after training: controlling and measuring their words, knowing how to keep quiet, preserving secrets and enduring pain in silence." Excerpt from Masques du N'tomo, Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière Collection, Musée du Quai Branly Jacques Chirac, France. The Bambara, or Bamana, live in central and southern Mali. Their name means “unbeliever” and was given to them by the Muslims. Animists, they believe in the existence of a creator god called Ngala, who maintains the order of the universe and coexists with another androgynous god called Faro, master of the Word, who gave all qualities to mankind and makes the fruits of the earth grow. Traditional Bamana art objects are closely linked to agrarian rites. The Bamana dance these masks during initiation and circumcision ceremonies for young boys in the Ntomo society. The face, with its vertical outgrowths at the top, adopts geometric features beneath a rounded forehead, including an imposing busted nose, as the Bamana favor this organ in their statuary as it evokes sociability and clan cohesion. Indeed, during choreography, the dancer frequently touches the nose of the mask. As teaching aids for candidates, masks from societies accessible to young boys and adults, such as the N'tomo, Korè and Ci wara...
Category

1930s Tribal Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

19th Century Akan 'Cast From Life' Beetle Gold Weight, Ghana
Located in London, GB
Every detail and feature of the beetle has been finely preserved in bronze, from its tiny claws to the pattern of striations on the insect's shell. Having been 'cast from life' by an Akan gold...
Category

19th Century Tribal Antique Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

Antique Tribal wooden Dance Shield, from the Tutsi tribe, Rwanda
By Tutsi People
Located in Bilzen, BE
A early 20th century wooden dancing shield of the Tutsi, Rwanda, painted with earth pigments The shield is in good condition with traces of tribal use Straight line height 30 cm, wid...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Oromo Igbo African Gourd
Located in Winnetka, IL
This African piece was made by the oromo igbo people of ethiopia It is a gourd with weaved fiber and metal covering it with intricate design and patterns It has a lid with it which is usually not found It definately has age but not sure of its exact year This vessel is a lovely african artifact...
Category

Early 20th Century Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Metallic Thread

African Urembo Beaded Vintage Necklace Choker by the Maasai Tribe Kenya
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage African Urembo beaded necklace choker. Handmade in Kenya by the maasai tribe. Urembo means “beauty” and the handmade pattern and unique ...
Category

Late 20th Century Folk Art Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Beads

The Ethiopian Procession Cross: A Radiant Symbol of Faith, Guardian of Sacred
Located in Ixelles, BE
The Ethiopian Procession Cross: A Radiant Symbol of Faith, Guardian of Sacred Mysteries. Artistic and Historical Description This Ethiopian procession cross, of rare beauty, embodies a long tradition of Christian religious art...
Category

19th Century Primitive Antique Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Tribal Mid-20th Century Zulu Women's Red Cotton Hat, Isicholo, South Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Mid-20th century Tribal Zulu women's woven red cotton hat, Isicholo, from South Africa. The unusual spiral weave on this cotton Isicholo makes this a beautiful and rare example of t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Cotton

Antique Tribal Dance Shield, Tutsi, Rwanda
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Tutsi Ceremonial dance shield. Rwanda-Burundi Second quarter, 20th century. Wood, natural pigment Measures: 20” long x 7 1/4” wide x 4” deep (50.5 x 1...
Category

1940s Tribal Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Wood and Bound Leather Headrest. Pokot Culture, Kenya
Located in London, GB
An early example of this form of Pokot headrest. Gently curved neck support with ridged underside, with two splayed legs bound heavily with fine strips of leather. ‍Estimated Period...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Leather, Wood

19th or Early 20th Century Tribal Copper Snake Currency Sculpture Zaire Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
19th or early 20th century copper snake currency sculpture Zaire Africa Ngelima culture, Zaire, hand-forged, copper rod in an anthropomorphic styli...
Category

Late 19th Century Other Antique Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Copper

Stool/seat From The Triby Mangbetu Dr Congo, Early 20th Century
Located in Bilzen, BE
A classical Mangbetu tribal chair, North Congo Carved from a single piece of wood, in good condition with tribal age and signs of use. Early 20th Century Tribal aged patina Height 17...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Important and Rare Igbo Prestige Stool
Located in London, GB
This large, rare Igbo title stool from Nigeria displays a wonderful sculptural form. The circular seat and base are connected by a series of beautifully curved supporting legs, whi...
Category

20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Bamun Copper Necklace
Located in Chicago, IL
Composed of fifteen miniature heads welded onto a circular form, this intricate necklace is styled after the prestige collars worn by royalty of the Kingdom of Bamum, a pre-colonial ...
Category

20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Metal

African Mende Helmut Mask
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Carved Helmut masks of this type were made by the Sande society of the Mende people of Sierra Leone, Africa for use in masquerades by young women in initi...
Category

20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

African Mende Helmut Mask
African Mende Helmut Mask
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
African Statue 'Boli' Bambara Mali C1950
Located in Paris, FR
African Statue 'Boli' Bambara Mali C1950 Zoomorphic altar statuette (Boli). Kono tribe. Provenance: Swedish private collection, inherited with the Fam...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Earthenware

Fine Early 20th Century Bongo Ancestral Post
Located in London, GB
This fine early twentieth-century ancestral post, from the Bongo culture in South Sudan, takes the form of a tall, multiple-ringed column. Carved from a hard wood, the post exhibits ...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Vintage African Urembo Beaded Necklace Choker Kenya
Located in North Hollywood, CA
African Urembo Beaded vintage necklace choker by the Maasai Tribe Kenya Vintage African Urembo beaded necklace choker. Handmade in Kenya by the ...
Category

Late 20th Century Folk Art Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Beads

Ethiopian Carved Wooden Headrest
Located in Chicago, IL
So as not to muss their intricate hairstyles while sleeping, Ethiopian women would traditionally rest their heads on these petite wooden stands. The combination of conic base and con...
Category

Early 20th Century Primitive Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

African Stone Sculpture, Man Bust or Mask, 1960s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
African Stone Sculpture, Man Bust or Mask, 1960s. Small African stone statuette, standing at 11 cm tall, depicting a man's head and neck, resembling a t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Stone

Set of Five Iron Phallus Fertility Figures
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful set of five early 20th century iron phallus figures from Togo. Fertility figures like these were planted in the ground of a farmer's fiel...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Set of Five Iron Phallus Fertility Figures
Set of Five Iron Phallus Fertility Figures
$2,400 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a ceremonial doll...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Cotton, Wood

African Stool from Cameroon Bamoun or Bamileke
Located in PARIS, FR
African stool with caryatid from Cameroon, Bamoun or Bamileke, probably around 1920, carved wood and dark patina, oval seat decorated with geometric notches, support in the shape of ...
Category

Early 20th Century Primitive Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Small 19th Century Kamba Elder's Chair With Beaded Lizard Motif, Kenya
Located in London, GB
High-backed chairs of any form are rare in Kenya. This small elder’s chair, consisting of and a dome-shaped backrest, is supported by four legs. The back ...
Category

19th Century Tribal Antique Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Beads

Figura tribal Cenefo
Located in VALÈNCIA, ES
Figura utilizada en los bailes y en los rituales.
Category

1940s Tribal Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Figura tribal Cenefo
Figura tribal Cenefo
$619 Sale Price
44% Off
Early Carved Wood Tribal Kuba Figural Cup, Congo, Africa Male with Beard
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early finely carved hard wood tribal Kuba figural cup, Congo with rich patina. In the form of a stylized male face with finely carved beard. Wonderful asymmetrical incised classic Kuba crisscross design for hair. Deep patina from extensive use, early 20th century. Chips to top rim. Decorated rim to base. Measures 7 x 3 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches. Kuba palm wine cups...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Terracotta Sculpture of Head
Located in Studio City, CA
Terra Cotta Sculpture of Head, Ghana Africa, 1960s Measures 15"H x 7"W; base 5"SQ
Category

1960s Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Terracotta

Kuba Ceremonial Palm Wine Cup ('Mbwoongntey'), DRC
Located in London, GB
The decorative details adorning this ceremonial cup reflected the owner’s wealth, status and influence within the Kuba Kingdom. This anthropomorphic Kuba cup ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Genuine zoomorphic statue from the Lega tribe, DR Congo, ca 1920
Located in Bilzen, BE
The Lega people (or Warega) are a Bantu ethnic group of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This statue depicting a zoomorphic figure with a tribal aged and blackened patina This ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Early Twentieth-Century African Madonna
Located in London, GB
This early twentieth-century African Madonna figurative sculpture from the Makonde culture in southern Tanzania, close to the border of Mozambique, exhibits a wonderful sense of move...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Hardwood

Ivory Coast Zoomorphic Dance Mask, Gouro People
Located in CA, CA
A beautifully painted, stylised ritual dance mask with an assertive presence, used by the Gouro people of the Ivory Coast. The mask is in the form of an African wild dog...
Category

Mid-20th Century Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Wooden Head of a Wife of an Ooni of Ile-Ife, Yoruba People, Nigeria, circa 1930s
By Yoruba People
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Wooden head of a wife of an Ooni of Ile-Ife, Yoruba People, Nigeria, circa 1930s. The Ooni is the traditional ruler of Ile-Ife. The Nigerian town is seen as the cradle of the Yoruba people. The number is the inventory number from Lehigh University. Exhibited: The Lehigh University - Art Galleries permanent collection. Provenance: The collection of Dr and Mrs John E. Swanson. Dr John Swanson and his wife Marian lived from 1966-1981 in Lagos, Nigeria where Dr Swanson was the Advisor to the National Universities Commission and later on the Chief Planning Officer of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. During their time in Africa the Swansons started to collect African art. In 1973 a part of their collection, circa 120 pieces went on loan to The Pennsylvania State University Museum of Art, where the remained until 1978. In 1981 Dr Swanson passed away and his wife Marian never returned to Africa. In 1982 Mrs Swanson lent 130 pieces to the Lehigh University Art Gallery where they remained until 1987. A few pieces were also lent to Lafayette College...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Makonde Figure Depicting Jesus, Tanzania
Located in London, GB
This African Jesus exhibits finely carved features. Depicting a black Jesus with his head leaning to one side, wearing a crown of thorns and with his arms outstretched on the cross. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Dida Tie-Dyed Ceremonial Kerchief
Located in Chicago, IL
An incredible and rare mid-20th century Dida (Ivory Coast) hand-plated Shibori tie-dyed raffia ceremonial kerchief mounted on a linen stretched frame. This kerchief was not woven on ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Raffia

Dida Tie-Dyed Ceremonial Kerchief
Dida Tie-Dyed Ceremonial Kerchief
$1,387 Sale Price
25% Off
Matching Pair of Yoruba Twin Figures Ibeji Nigeria African Tribal Art beads
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Matching rare pair of stocky male twin figures "Ibeji" from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, Africa, created in the early 20th century. Dressed with matching glass bead necklace and bra...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Painted White Woven Cane Fabric Beater from the Lega People of D. R. Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
20th century woven cane fabric beater from the Lega People of D. R. Congo A sculptural piece of African utilitarian ware used to beat the dust out of fabric as it would hang on a ...
Category

Late 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Aluminum

Bamileke Mask With Attached Original Sotheby's Receipt from 1979, Cameroon
Located in London, GB
This fine and early Bamileke mask, carved from a heavy hardwood, features a vibrant expression. The surface of the mask exhibits a deep, well-worn patina...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

African Nupe Terracotta Vessel Support, c. 1900
By Nupe
Located in Chicago, IL
The Nupe people of Nigeria were touted as some of the finest ceramicists in Africa. Everyday objects, like this elegant, cylindrical vessel support, received detailed attention. This flaring terra cotta form would have been buried halfway in the ground, in a Nupe home, and used as a stable base for a stack of traditional round pots...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Terracotta

Vintage Tribal Bakonongo Terracotta Vessel with Ethnic Depictions Congo 1950s
Located in Salzburg, AT
Very beautiful and well-preserved vintage terracotta vessel with removable lid from the Congo region, Bakongo ethnic group. The fine decoration is partly engraved, but also modeled - houses, birds, fish, lins, small chain links and knots can be found on the outer wall of the object. The object has an elegant shape and captivates with its natural appearance. The Bakongo (plural, also Congo, singular Mukongo) are a Bantu-speaking ethnic group in the Congo River estuary in Central Africa, mainly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo-Kinshasa), the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) and the neighboring areas of Angola (Zaire Province and Uíge Province) including Cabinda and Gabon.Their total number is over 5 million...
Category

1950s Tribal Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Terracotta

Hand Carved Wood Cone from Ethiopia, Mid-20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A single piece of solid mango wood, hand carved into a standing cone, circa 1960. Use it as door stoppers, or in a group for an eye-catching accent in any rustic or eclectic decor, i...
Category

1960s Tribal Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Sweet Bird Topped Carved Wood Bambara Wood Door Lock, Mali Africa Mounted
Located in Point Richmond, CA
A very sweet small sized carved wood bird topped door lock from the Bambara people of Mali Africa. Originally would have had a horizontal sliding cross bar lock, now missing. Mount...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art

Materials

Wood

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