Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
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Place of Origin: Sub-Saharan African
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 Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Sleep Guardian or Kata Sergo Ethiopia TOTEM 1 in Solid Natural Cedar Wood
Located in Paris, FR
TOTEM 1 sleep guardian or Kata Sergo from the ethnic
Gorague´, South / South West Ethiopia. Different ridges
are intended to evacuate the bad vibes from the fireplace
to the top h...
Category
19th Century Antique Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
Figura Tribal Cenefo
Located in VALÈNCIA, ES
Figura tribal Cenefo realizada en madera y de origen Senegal
Category
1920s Tribal Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
$711 Sale Price
20% Off
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 Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
African Dan Mask from Ivory Coast
Located in Montreal, QC
African Dan mask from Ivory Coast with stitched and nailed cloth.
Category
1970s Vintage Sub-Saharan African 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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Shell, Fabric, Beads
Bambara Granary Door Lock in the Form of a Crocodile, Mali
Located in London, GB
This mid-twentieth century Bambara door lock from Mali has been carved into the form of a crocodile, a symbol of protection in the Bambara culture. The crocodile-shaped door lock, ad...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
Rare Form of Beaded Doll, Kenyan Coastal Region
Located in London, GB
This mid-twentieth century beaded doll, which likely originates from the Kenyan Coastal Region around Mombasa, exhibits a rare form with a wonderfully simp...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood, Beads
Set of Three Beaded Ndebele Fertility Dolls
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...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Cotton, Wood
$1,180 / set
19th Century Mumuye Iron Currency, Nigeria
Located in London, GB
This tall, elegant iron currency, from the Mumuye culture in Nigeria, dates back to the nineteenth-century. The currency displays a long, spoon-shaped form, with attractive spiral fe...
Category
Late 19th Century Tribal Antique Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Iron
African mask Yaure tribe Ivory Coast Circa 1950
Located in Paris, FR
African mask from Yaure tribe in Ivory Coast Circa 1950. Beautiful dark patina.
Swedish private collection, from the 1980s then inherited within the family.
Yaure tribe art is renow...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Mumuye Iron Flat Spiral Currency, Nigeria
Located in London, GB
A fine incised iron flat spiral currency from the Mumuye in Nigeria. A similar example of iron currency can be found in the Ghysels Collection, as published in 'A World of Belts' (20...
Category
Late 19th Century Tribal Antique Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Hedle Pulley from the Baoulé / Baule tribe, Ivory Coast
By Baule Tribe
Located in Bilzen, BE
Baoulé / Baule loom hedle pulley from the beginning of the 20th century
Rich tribal patina and using traces
Beautiful stylization of the face
with custom base as shown in the photo...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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 Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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
Late 20th Century Folk Art Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Cotton, Wood
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 Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Raffia
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, Twine
Early 20th Century, Large Terracotta Vessel, Spiked Vase African Pottery, Lobi
Located in Göteborg, SE
Beautiful large African urn in terracotta made by the Lobi people of Burkina Faso.
This urn is very decorative with a small figure sitting on the lid. The urn is 81 cm high and 45 c...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Mid-20th Century African Hand-Woven Indigo Tapestry in Custom Wrought Iron Frame
Located in Barrington, IL
This exquisite vintage African tapestry, dating to the mid-1900s, features a flat-woven kilim textile hand-crafted using natural dyes in striking indigo blue and white. The alternati...
Category
1940s Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Steel
Yoruba Osanyin 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 Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Steel, Iron
Ethno Design Selection of 7 Cache-Sexe Made of Palm Leaf, Mangbetu People, DRC
Located in Leuven , BE
Back aprons (negbe, pl. egbe) such as these were particularly popular among upper-class Mangbetu women at the turn of the 20th century. This distinctive kidney-shaped ornament pad wa...
Category
1930s Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Organic Material
Nigerian Nupe Vessel Support
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 f...
Category
Early 20th Century Primitive Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Terracotta Bura Spirit Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Buried with their flared mouths facing down, these cylindrical storage vessels protected the deceased's possessions as they transitioned to the afterl...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Beaded Ndebele Fertility 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 fertility doll...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Cotton, Wood
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 Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Iron
African Bantu Art, Expressive, Surrealistic Gouache by Marcel Gotène 1980s
By Marcel Gotène
Located in Salzburg, AT
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 - d...
Category
1980s Modern Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
Beaded Ndebele Fertility 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 fertility doll...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Cotton, Wood
Fine 19th Century Bronze Arm Adornment, Cameroon
Located in London, GB
This finely cast bronze late 19th century arm adornment from Cameroon is possibly Kirdi in origin. Displays a beautiful form, the adornment features a prominent central ridge, and ov...
Category
Late 19th Century Tribal Antique Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
Handmade Commemorative African Quilt, Early 20th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
Handmade Commemorative African Quilt Textile, Early 20th Century
A remarkable textile, listing the names and depicting the symbols of the rulers (“Ahosu”) of the West African region...
Category
Early 20th Century Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Textile
Nigerian Nupe Storage Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
The Nupe people of Nigeria were known as some of the finest ceramicists in Africa. Everyday objects, like this storage vessel, received detailed attenti...
Category
Early 20th Century Primitive Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Beninese Bronze and Rope Bust
Located in Miami, FL
Created in Benin some time during the late 19th Century, and acquired at the Albert F. Gordon Tribal Arts Gallery in New York in the early 1970s, this is a bronze cast bust embellish...
Category
Late 19th Century Tribal Antique Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
Haussa People, Nigeria, Dagger with Organic Handle
Located in Leuven , BE
Beautifully crafted dager from Nigeria (Haussa People) with an organic handle.
Hausa people are frond in northwestern Nigeria and adjacent southern Ni...
Category
20th Century Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Metal
"Embrace" Luba Headrest Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
The Luba people of Zaire believed that ancestors visited them through dreams. This belief led to elaborately worked headrests, known as "seats of dreams." Such headrests were used to...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Small Traditional Kwere Medicine Container, Tanzania
Located in London, GB
This mid-twentieth century traditional medicine container from the Kwere culture in Tanzania has been finely carved into two sections.
The upper section tightly fits the body of th...
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 hand-plated Shibori tie-dyed raffia ceremonial kerchief mounted on a linen stretched board. This kerchief was not woven on a loom, but ra...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Raffia
$1,387 Sale Price
25% Off
Terracotta Bura Spirit Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Sometimes called a "Bura bell" due to its shape, this sculptural terra cotta object was part of the Bura tribe's burial ritual. Buried with its flared mouth facing down, this cylindrical storage...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
African sculpture Kanuri-Hausa Headdress, "burtu" Kanuri-Hausa, Nigeria
Located in Paris, FR
Kanuri-Hausa Headdress, "burtu" Kanuri-Hausa, Nigeria
Headdress, "burtu Kanuri-Hausa, Nigeria wood leather horn. H 42 cm. Provenance : - Swedish private...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Leather, Wood
Custom-Mounted Wide-Brimmed Woven Fibre Hat, Kasaï Region, DRC
Located in London, GB
This finely constructed and decorated grass fibre hat from the Kasaï region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo was collected in the 1930's. This wide-brimmed hat was likely made...
Category
1930s Tribal Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber
Early 20th Century Ethiopian Stool with Phallic Form
Located in London, GB
Finely carved from a single piece of wood, this stool from the Sidamo region of Ethiopia displays a wonderful sculptural quality. Four cone-shaped legs support the stool's slightly-c...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Finely Woven Tutsi Grass Fibre Screen ('Inyeqamo'), Rwanda
Located in London, GB
Rare to find, screens such as this would have been rolled down to separate the sleeping area and alcove in a traditional Tutsi household. The weaving, made from fine strands of grass...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber
Large Tanzanian Wagogo Woven Storage Basket With Beautiful Animal Decorations
Located in London, GB
This large, two-sectioned woven cane Wagogo storage basket from Tanzania has been beautifully decorated with depictions of animals around the central band. This is one of the nicest ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Cane
Decorated Wooden Backrest Sculptured in One Piece
Located in Leuven , BE
These backrests were exclusively used by Dignitaries of the Mongo people in DRC. The diamond design on the seat can also be found on the Kuba tissues called "Velours du Kasai.".
Category
1940s Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Stunning 37.10 Carats Bi Color Fish Shape Tourmaline Drilled Carving
By Deloris "Dee" Giltz 1
Located in Peshawar, PK
Stunning 37.10 Carats Bi-Color Fish Shape Tourmaline Drilled Carving.
Weight: 37.10 Carats
Dimension: 2.5 x 2.3 x 0.9 Cm
Origin: Africa
Color: Red & Green
Shape: Carving
Quality: AA...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Adam Style Antique Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Crystal
Naive Ethiopian Painting, Greatest Scenes of Religion, Society and History 1970s
Located in Budapest, HU
Naive Ethiopian painting, The Greatest Scenes of Religion, Society and History.
Oil on Canvas
Measures: 100 x 190 cm
s.b.r.
with Ge'ez language ...
Category
1970s Folk Art Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
South African Tribal Carved Wooden Figure of Naked Lady by G. Tandi, circa 1960s
Located in Richmond, Surrey
South African Tribal carved wooden figure of naked lady by G. Tandi, circa 1960s.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
Dogon Ladder, 6-Feet
Located in Dallas, TX
This classically made Dogon ladder is six feet tall and cut from a medium to dark color wood. The 'Y' top is necessary so that the climber may safely lean the ladder against a tree o...
Category
Early 20th Century Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
$4,050
Mid-Twentieth Century Headrest in Animal-Like Form
Located in London, GB
This large mid-twentieth century headrest, carved from a single piece of wood, comes from the Dinka culture in South Sudan. With multiple upright supports, the headrest displays a wo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Senufo - African "Trompe d’appel" - Mid 20th century - Ivory Coast
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Senufo - African "Trompe d’appel" - Mid 20th century - Ivory Coast
Carved Wooden Statue
ethnic furniture - wabi sabi decoration
Sénoufo, Ivory Coast. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
A Voodo African Object
Located in Schellebelle, BE
An exceptional Voodoo Objet fro Africa, Uganda ,Buganda Kingdom,
the object is decorated with Shells, Beads, Fiber,seeds and iron,
a Royal fetish used by higher Royalty,
ex-collecti...
Category
1960s Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Shell, Fabric, Wood
$2,192
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 Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Raffia
Antique Wooden Ceremonial Club
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Elegant Ceremonial Wooden club from the Lobi Tribe in Burkina Faso,
dating from around 1960,beautifully carved and patinated,
mounted on a custom made iron stand,
very decorative piece
Category
1960s Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
1960's Himba Head Adornment
Located in London, GB
The Himba of Northern Namibia are immediately recognisable by their distinctive hairstyles, which are determined by their age, gender and marital status. Both Himba men and women wea...
Category
1960s Tribal Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber, Beads
African Bantu Art, Expressive, Surrealistic Gouache by Marcel Gotène
By Marcel Gotène
Located in Salzburg, AT
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,...
Category
1980s Modern Vintage Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
Hand Carved Wooden Makonde Mask from Mozambique, Tanzania, circa 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Hand carved wooden Makonde Mask From Mozambique, Tanzania Circa 1950s. Mozambican Makonde masks represent ancestral spirits who temporarily return to earth to appear in dances that c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Painted Baule Blolo Bla Figure
By Baule Tribe
Located in Chicago, IL
The figurative sculptures of the Baule peoples of Cote d'Ivoire are recognizable by their strong, gently curving forms and serene composure. This figure of a woman was carved to repr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Metal Iron African Antique Currency from Congo
Located in New York, NY
African antique currency from the Congo, most likely Iron. Beatufil decorative piece, includes a stand. This Currency piece was circulated as a mean...
Category
Late 19th Century Tribal Antique Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Iron
$3,500 / item
Fine Mid-Twentieth Century Mother and Child Figure
Located in London, GB
This beautiful mid-twentieth century figurative sculpture depicts a mother, crowned with a sweeping double-parted coiffure, holding her child at her side. Multiple strands of glass b...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood, Beads
Ethno Design early 20th Century, Drc, Selection of Three Bark Cloth Beaters
Located in Leuven , BE
Three old and well used bark cloth beater made out of a wooden shaft with a cross-hatched blackened tip which is lashed into position by a strip of cane. These grooved wooden beater were tools used to pound and soften tree bark, for the processing of bark cloth used as clothing. This tool has many different variations that are seen in indigenous cultures worldwide, yet all for a similar purpose. They vary in size, shapes, and materials. They are carved with parallel striations. Some bark beaters...
Category
Early 20th Century Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
67.05 Carat Gorgeous Tri Color Tourmaline Drilled Carving from Africa
By Deloris "Dee" Giltz 1
Located in Peshawar, PK
67.05 carat gorgeous tri-color tourmaline drilled carving from Africa
Weight: 67.05 Carats
Dimension: 3.5 x 2.4 x 0.8 Cm
Origin: Africa
Color: Red Pink and Green
Shape: Carving
Quali...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Adam Style Antique Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Crystal
Sublime 17.15 Carat Loose Bi Color Tourmaline Drilled Carving for Jewelry Making
By Deloris "Dee" Giltz 1
Located in Peshawar, PK
Sublime Loose Bi-Color Tourmaline Drilled Carving For Jewelry Making
Weight: 17.15 Carats
Dimension: 2.3 x 1.6 x 0.7 Cm
Origin: Africa
Color: Pink & Green
Shape: Carving
Qualit...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Adam Style Antique Sub-Saharan African Folk Art
Materials
Crystal
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