Sub-Saharan African Primitives

20th C Small Papago Lidded Basket with Handle. Great condition.

Early 18th century Italian carved and dovetailed walnut alms box, circa 1725 Large dovetails and old handwrought nails give this small scale box a hea...

The blacksmiths and sculptors of the Mossi People were held in special regard by the tribe's ruling class. Their ability to shape bronze and other precious metals into currency and status symbols made them valuable members of the powerful tribe. The intricate design of this currency bracelet...

Beautifully detailed African carved male bust in solid ebony. The figure has been expertly modeled by a master craftsman. The figures is expressive and nearly photographic. Ebony is ...

20th Century Handwoven African Bolga Basket with Leather Handle This beautifully handwoven 20th-century Bolga basket is a soft-formed, organic piece made in the Bolgatanga region of...

Poto African sword, Congo Africa on stand. A forged iron sword with fine incised design, inlaid brass dots, overlaid brass strips, finely carved wood ha...

Hand carved wood ebony African elephant. Mid-20th Century Hand-Carved African Elephant Sculpture in Solid Ebony Wood Hand-carved African elephant sculpture, crafted from dense solid ebony wood, renowned for its rich, deep hue and natural sheen. This mid-20th-century piece captures the power and majesty of the African elephant. Handcrafted carved wooden elephant, likely an African Elephant due to the large ears. It appears to be made from a dark wood, possibly ebony, which is a popular material for such carvings. Ebony is a dense and valuable wood, making these carvings desirable for collectors. Hand-carved by a skilled artisan, likely of East or Central African origin, the sculpture showcases traditional carving techniques passed down through generations. Its smooth polish and heavy weight reflect the high quality of the ebony used—a wood celebrated not only for its beauty but also for its durability and rarity. This piece serves as both a decorative object and a cultural artifact, ideal for collectors of African art, lovers of wildlife sculptures, or those seeking a unique focal point for an interior space. Dimensions: Height: 10 in. Width: 9.5 in. Depth: 3.25 in. (Insert exact dimensions) Origin: Africa (likely Kenya, Tanzania, or Congo region) Circa: 1950s–1970s In Chinese culture, the elephant symbolizes good luck, prosperity, peace, and happiness. Placing an elephant figurine in the home or office is believed to attract good fortune and ward off evil. Elephant statues are also associated with wisdom, family unity, and personal strength. A feng shui elephant is a powerful symbol that can invite auspicious energy into your home. The elephant is a venerated animal in Asian cultures because of their intelligence, physical prowess, and memory. They symbolize wisdom, strength, and good luck. The elephant's trunk is where luck and energy are kept. It is a symbol of wisdom and understanding that can assist you in quickly overcoming a range of difficulties. The downward trunk elephant is believed to maintain balance at work and keep good energy levels up at home. Symbolism: * Wisdom and Strength: In Asian cultures, elephants are venerated for their intelligence, physical prowess, and memory, symbolizing wisdom, strength, and good luck. * Good Fortune and Prosperity: In Chinese culture, the elephant symbolizes good luck, prosperity, peace, and happiness. Placing an elephant figurine in the home or office is believed to attract good fortune. * Protection and Harmony: Elephant statues are associated with wisdom, family unity, and personal strength. In Feng Shui, a powerful symbol inviting auspicious energy, elephants protect against negative forces and bring blessings. * Trunk Position: The elephant's trunk is believed to hold luck and energy. A downward-facing trunk, like this piece, is thought to maintain balance at work and foster good energy levels at home.Home Decor: This piece would make a striking and meaningful addition to any space, adding both aesthetic appeal and positive energy. * Collection: Ebony wood carvings...

Anthropomorphic Modernist 'Makonde' sculpture 1950s This is a wonderful piece of modernist African art. It is a so called 'Makonde' sculpture. These unique pieces are crafted by t...

This wooden sculpture embodies hyper-verticality, a hallmark of many African sculptural traditions. Its elongated form eschews anatomical realism, instead striving to evoke a presenc...

19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Intricate graphical swirl design and tips are shaped with large flat ends with 5 beads on each s...

Very important “Nwantamtay” dance African mask, consisting of three sections: The upper in plain rectangular shape surmounted by a crescent shape moon, the middle with beautiful geometric triangles in black bitumen and white kaolin, surrounding a red cruciform in the centre of remarkable contrasting colors, and the lower part or face inscribed in a circular space that inspired numbered great artists like Joan Miro, Picasso and Henry Moore of a very strongly solar symbolism, with a projecting protuberance emanating from the forehead like a sculpted bird beak, that descents toward the mouth. Concentric eyes harmonize with the circular mouth, both with of elegant proportions. The whole mask exudes a supreme harmony and perfect balance rarely seen in this pieces. The back-side presents nice ware that attested the ancient origin and traces of animistic ceremonies as the use of animal blood residues. The painting of brown bitumen or cola, the natural colorants in red and ocher tones and the white kaolin are original and do not show any repainted or restored areas, giving a freshness rarely seen in old pieces. This exceptional mask Bwa, of the Hound`e Region in Burkina-Fasso, was used it the transit ceremonies and funerals manifesting the presence of “Do”, name given to their God sons, protectors and powerful spirits. The round face also represents an owl, the curving beak of the bird plants a seed into the sun, like a female sexual vulva being fecundated by the male organ; the eternal symbol of Ying and Yang, masculine and feminine, and the quest of life and death. This mask of Primitive facture can be compared to the one in the celebrated Verite Collection (this one being larger) sold in Paris at the Hotel Drouot, Saturday June 17, Lot 59, for 80,000 Euros and remarkably stands out from the Pierre and Tannia Matisse sold in Sotheby’s, New York in May 13, 2011. Another similar piece was published in: “Arman et l’art africain...

Beautifully stylized figurine with a great balance of harmony stood, portraying the inner world's beauty through pure beauty. This Valuable unique art piece is a great chance to brin...