Tribal Folk Art

South American native geometric design sling bag with shoulder strap. Finely woven with natural pigment dyed and undyed natural cactus fiber. It has been stored impeccably over the ...

Antique East Anatolian long runner rug. A great antique village rug from Eastern Turkey with considerable age and a highly unusual and intriguing design. The pile of the rug is knotted in angora (mohair), rather than wool, another unusual feature. Fantastic color palette with superb natural dyes. A top-flight collectible item that should be of interest even for the seasoned connoisseurs. Well preserved and complete after minimal professional repairs. As a valuable antique...

Pair Male and Female Dayak Paddy Marker Guardian Figures, Borneo, Indonesia. Carved wood set of male and female Dayak paddy marker guardian figures with expressive faces and large c...

Intriguing good looking mask artistically made of combination of hand crafted beads ,shells , and hand painted wood. To make such a exceptional object of art for display. Custom-mad...

Wood three legged chair with openwork geometric back, from the Gurage or Oromo people, Ethiopia, Vintage Africa Carved of a single piece of wood, this was a chair for an important p...

This striking modern rug reimagines the traditional Tibetan tiger motif with a bold, contemporary sensibility. Hand-knotted in a luxurious blend of wool and silk, the design is split...

rare square shaped tribal Persian Gabbeh rug from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century. The signature reads "order by reza" and dated 1940 in farsi. It must have been custom made duri...

Kuba (Bushong) Raffia Fiber Textile Panel From Woman’s Skirt The Bushong people are one of the largest and most dominant ethnic groups within the Kuba Kingdom in the DR Congo, and h...

Handwoven wool serape blanket from the highlands of Oaxaca, Mexico with traditional Mixtec symbols, circa 1950s.  

Vintage 1960's Kuna Mola, a traditional multi layered cotton applique tapestry hand sewn by Central American Kuna native women. Mounted on cardboard, for eas...

Rare Antique Woman’s Abaca Fiber Tube-Skirt, Philippines The Subanen are an indigenous people living in the mountainous interior of Zamboanga del Sur on the Zamboanga Peninsula in w...

A superb Igbo Nigeria helmet mask 'Agbogho Mmuo" or Maiden Spirit. Worn as masqurades during funerals, cleansing rituals, harvest festivals, weddings and ...

Miao Tribe Interlaced & Massed Rings Silver Pectoral Necklace Miao Tribe, Northern Vietnam, Laos & Southwest China, Mid 20th Century An exquisite Miao Tribe Interlaced & Massed Ri...

Early and rare mask from Gabon, Central Africa, created by the Tsogho peoples. Powerful large mask with carved open eyes, and black painted eyes above, below heavy carved eyebrows. ...

Carved wood large female Songye Kifwebe mask with classic white lines, blackened ridge down crest of forehead, nose and mouth. Worn holes around back edge of mask from attachment of...

The African wood female bust figurative sculpture of a Mandinka woman is a striking piece of art that encapsulates the cultural heritage and craftsmanship of West Africa. Hand-carved...

Mid-century Kuna native Mola cotton applique tapestry depicting angels, one holding a chalice. Mola, a Kuna word, has several meanings: fabric or cloth, shirt or upper garment for me...

Geometric Barmbara Sukuru Animal Mask with horns, teeth, from Mali, West Africa. Inserted wood teeth, abstract face with open eyes, with raised eyebrows and framed face. Old native...

Antique Kuba Shoowa Cut-Pile & Embroidered Cloth, DR Congo A graphically compelling example of a Kuba raffia fiber prestige cloth with cut pile and stitched embroidery. In very good...

Antique Kuba Shoowa Cut-Pile & Embroidered Cloth, DR Congo A graphically compelling example of a Kuba raffia fiber prestige cloth with cut pile and stitched embroidery. In very good...

Group of two polychrome painted wood mid-20th century Mexican dance masks. Each with a face one with a lizard on top and the other with a mermaid....

A wonderful example of a Tibetan Coral Bead mala / neckpiece with a stunning mix of orange & red colours that have aged beautifully over the decades. Tib...

A Pair of Inkangara Prestige Baskets Rwanda or Burundi, Tutsi and Hutu peoples 20th century (1960s/1970s) Left H 13 ins (33 cm); D 7 ins (17.5 cm) Right H 13.5 ins (34...

Kuba (Bushong) Raffia Fiber Textile Panel From Woman’s Skirt The Bushong people are one of the largest and most dominant ethnic groups within the Kuba Kingdom in the DR Congo, and h...

Mid-20th century black dance mask, Guerrero, Mexico A nice old mask from Guererro, Mexico, used in the Tlacololero Dance of the Tlactapa and probably fr...

Pair of hand-carved hardwood stools attributed to the Oromo people of Ethiopia, 1970s. Each stool is sculpted from a single block of dense wood, with a broad concave seat supported b...

Rare Early to Mid 20th Century African Bena Lulua Mask Kasai Region A rare Bena Lulua mask from the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dating to the early to mid ...

Makonde Body Mask For Fertility Early 1900s made by the Makonde people between Tanzania and Mozambique, this mask was part of the costume young dancers wore when participating in an ...

Antique Kuba Shoowa Cut-Pile & Embroidered Cloth, DR Congo A graphically compelling example of a Kuba raffia fiber prestige cloth with cut pile and stitched embroidery. In very good...

Monumental Amazonian Shipibo-Conibo Anthropomorphic Pottery Vessel with Kené Patterning, Peru A rare and visually commanding 20th century pottery vessel from the Shipibo-Conibo cult...

Antique Tribal Dayak Plaited Rattan Longhouse Mat (Tikar), Kalimantan The tightly woven longhouse sleeping mats of Kalimantan are almost exclusively constructed by women, who begin ...

Created and used from the late 19th century into the 20th century, Dan passport masks served as personal talismans with spiritual connection and as portable identification symbol rep...

Vintage Nupe of Nigeria thinly cast hollow bronze purse or container, probably created by the lost wax process with attached bronze bells and rings. Hollow with fine overlaid designs...

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 ...

Very rare African Dagara mask Ngbaka people. Africa, Congo, early to mid 20th century A beautiful early to mid 20th century African so called 'Dagara’ mask from the Ngbaka and Mbanj...

Carved wood powerful portrait of a Makonde man with a traditional lip plug in his upper lip, high carved cheek bones in the form of a finely carved helmet mask, with attached hair on...

This “Wayang Golek” is a visibly old shadow puppet carved using soft wood and cloth. It features an articulated head and arms connected to rods, the dress...

Matching rare pair of male twin figures "Ibeji" from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, Africa, created in the early 20th century. remains of Reckitts blue (laundry bleach) bluing in hai...

Early 20th century silver apron counter weight, Miao or Dong culture, Hunan or Guangxi province, China A sinuous silver counterweight worn at the back ...

Doll, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, S. Dakota A "No Face Doll" by an unknown artist of the Sioux Tribe, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in S. Dakota. A cape of three tiers of dentali...

Old and well used Luba wood medicine mortar with classic carved Luba face, DRC Africa. The mortar is heavily worn with deep polished surface outside from many years of use, and the i...

A vibrant patchwork of strip-woven fabric, this antique blue kente cloth is a beautiful example of West African weaving tradition. Attributed to Ashanti or Ewe artists of Ghana and t...

Created by the Massim Peoples from Trobriand Islands off New Guinea. A standing animal wood sculpture, probably of a tree kangaroo with shell eyes. Finely incised designs on parts ...

This Tuareg leather box is a finely crafted circular container created by a Malian artisan now living and working in the United States. Contemporary in its production yet grounded in...

Ashanti Bronze Ceremonial Lidded Storage Container with embossed figures, and heart shaped opening, from Ghana, Africa. Fine repousse bronze lidded trea...

Light masks like these represented the spirit of an ancestor and were used for social control by Ngil, the judiciary association. The facial markings, abstract features and strong, e...

Papua New Guinea: Talipun, Boiken, Sepik River Region  Northern Papua New Guinea, 20th Century  A fine example of the rich cultural heritage of Papua New ...

This wood bowl from the Tuareg tribe in Mali has a quiet, grounded presence, shaped by hand and time. Its softly rounded form is animated by incised geometric bands that circle the vessel, the repeating lines and crosshatched motifs catching light and shadow as the surface curves inward. The dark, earthen patina suggests long use and careful handling, giving the bowl a sense of history and intimacy. Subtle variations in tone and texture reveal the maker’s touch, where utility and ornament are inseparable. Today, bowls like this are often appreciated as decorative objects rather than everyday wares. They are used as sculptural accents on shelves or tables, as containers for dried botanicals or found objects, or simply displayed on their own to highlight their craftsmanship. In contemporary interiors, they bring warmth, material depth, and a connection to African artisanal traditions, bridging past function with present-day aesthetic appreciation. African Wooden Bowl...

A beautiful sculpture of a female Ancestor figure from the Chokwe people of Angloa . Carved in a beautifully submissive pose the figure is of undoubted sculptural quality. The image ...

A scarce antique African tribal carved Hemba helmet mask, the Suku peoples, possibly Kwese culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa, early 20th century, surmounted by four-legged animal, over round face, with mouth ajar and incised jagged teeth exposed, protruding almond shaped eyes, scattered remnants of pigment, full raffia fiber fringe, mounted on wood stand. A superb museum quality example, this remarkable tribal folk art sculpture is a wonderful way to add rustic warmth, rich historical depth, and fascinating cultural interest to any space! Dimensions: (approx) Overall: 26" High, 9" Wide, 10.25" Deep; Mask only: 15" Tall; 7 lbs total Provenance / Acquisition: Acquired from the highly reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, est.1983, Austin, Texas. Excellent Condition: Nicely aged distressed patina over the whole. Highly desirable wear consistent with age and indicative of use, including scattered losses, antique character marks and typical signs of aging throughout. Retaining scattered remnants of original pigment. Overall a superb museum quality example Primitive Arts Of Africa: Among the Suku of the southwestern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, masks plays crucial role in protecting boys during initiation, the vulnerable period between boyhood and manhood. The power contained in Hemba masks...

This flat shadow puppet was crafted on the island of Java by a puppet artist using buffalo hide and mounted on bamboo sticks. It features movable arms, controlled by outer bamboo rod...

Impressively carved from a single block of wood, this monumental male spirit or ancestor figure originates from the Middle Sepik region of Papua New Guinea. The figure combines stron...

Rare double joined standing figure with male figure on top standing on female shoulders. Deep patina and wear from traditional use. Finely carved and expressive faces. 11 1/4 inche...

This flat shadow puppet was crafted on the island of Java by a puppet artist using buffalo hide and mounted on bamboo sticks. It features movable arms, controlled by outer bamboo rods (however this puppet lost one of its bamboo rods over the years due to age) It was used in Wayang puppet...

The Borana Oromo people of southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya are historically a cattle-keeping culture, and each household keeps a number of traditional vessels for storing and ch...

An incredible early 20th century Makenge hand-built ceramic palm wine pot with a graceful shape including a narrow neck and a wide belly. The pot is covered ...

A unique intricately detailed hand-hammered bronze of a fish. Bursting with character, this marine life mythical decorative object would enhance any shelf or tabletop. This object form is one of the best-known examples of Benin art, created from the thirteenth century onwards, by the Edo people, which also included other sculptures in brass, including some famous portrait heads and smaller pieces of art. Tribal African Art...

Xantolo mask from the Huasteca region of Hidalgo. This rare collector's mask was acquired from the town of Tzapotitla in the municipality of Huazalingo in the mid 1970´s. The Xantolo celebration is a full blown...

Collection of Six Dan and Bassa Passport Miniature Masks Ivory Coast Africa Dan and Bassa passport masks were small masks for individuals carried as charms for protection and healin...

Yoruba male figure, rare example dressed in old cowrie covered cloak. an Ibeji or twin figure, rare example dressed in old cowrie covered cloak, Nigeria, Africa, well loved with very...