15th Century and Earlier Primitives

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...

Antique South American Spanish Colonial Poly chrome Folk Art Santos figure The finely sculptured hard wood figure standing with a cross and bible on a pedestal base, painted in p...

Antique Art Deco hollow brass Greyhound/Whippet dog figurine or sculpture circa 1920s-1930s. I am not able to find a signature or makers mark. Probably made in Germany or France. Gre...

Large openwork crest mounted upon a woven basketry cap. The large, square decorative panel bears a central reptilian or stylized crocodile depiction with alternating squared painted ...

Pre Columbian Female Stone Fertility figure Costa Rica Pre-Columbian, Central America, Costa Rica, Central Highlands, Atlantic Watershed, C. 1000 to 1400 CE. A carved volcanic stone ...

Antique Lion's Head in Polychrome and Cast Iron on Stand Just a wonderful antique lion’s head in heavy cast iron on a later stand. The lion most probably used to be a door ornament ...

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...

Carved abstract mythological abstract antelope anteater headdress mounted on wood stand. These motifs symbolize excellence in farming and bountiful harvests...

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...

Antique Spanish Colonial Poly chrome Folk Art Santos figure probably Philippines The finely sculptured large hard wood figure standing on a pedestal base, painted in polychrome col...

Two Burmese chin state tribal markers. Tribal Territory markers collected within the chin state Burma (Myanmar). Each piece is primitively carved with a face and a collection of item...

Adorable small vintage cast iron horse bank. Good condition.