Tribal Folk Art
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Style: Tribal
Vintage Geometric Kirghiz Wool Felt Square Rug, 1940's
Located in Milan, IT
Felts are among the first woollen structures made by mankind. Some of the earliest we know were found in the kurgans of Central Asia. This tradition continued until recently, althoug...
Category
1940s Kyrgyzstani Vintage Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wool
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 Tanzanian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Superlative Vintage Beni Mguild Berber Carpet
Located in Milan, IT
The Beni Mguild tribe is located in the mountainous region of the Moroccan Middle Atlas. Together with the Beni Ouarain, they represent the earliest Berber presence in that region as...
Category
1940s Moroccan Vintage Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wool
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 Congolese Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Dayak Tribal Baby Carrier Kalimantan Borneo
Located in Chonburi, TH
This Dayak Tribal Baby Carrier from Kalimantan, Borneo, is a stunning example of traditional indigenous craftsmanship. Made from a combination of beads, rattan, and wood, this carrie...
Category
Mid-20th Century Asian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Rattan, Wood, Beads
Genuine ax with copper blade from the Songye tribe DR Congo, early 1900
By Songye Tribe
Located in Bilzen, BE
A genuine ax from the Songye tribe DR Congo, copper around wooden handle and with a heavy copper blade.
The axes with a copper blade are much more rare then those from iron
Hammered ...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Woven Fiber Purple Floral Motif Placemats, Set of Four
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Set of four woven placemats in purple. A fabulous addition to any brunch, dinner, or dinner party. Woven from natural fiber, each piece features a wove...
Category
20th Century Southeast Asian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Bamboo, Thread
Vintage Small Beni Ouarain Berber Carpet
Located in Milan, IT
The Beni Ouarain confederation is composed of seventeen tribes inhabiting the high mountain region of the northeastern Middle Atlas. Their rugs differ from other Berber weavings in t...
Category
1960s Moroccan Vintage Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Vintage Moroccan Authentic Tribal Kilim Rug North Africa
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan Zemmour rugs are flat woven by the Berber women leaving near Khemisset, Zaiane and Azrou.This flat weaves, Kilim rugs are often used a wall coveri...
Category
1950s Moroccan Vintage Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Mejjat Berber 'Desert Sand' Flat-Weave Haik Rug
Located in Milan, IT
A finely woven haik from the Mejjat tribe, located in the most southern part of the Moroccan Anti Atlas region. Distinguished for their blanket-like handle and for their unique icono...
Category
1960s Moroccan Vintage Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Guere Mask from Cote d'Ivoire Africa with Sotheby's Sticker
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Guere wood mask with paint and fiber remnant from We people displayed on a metal stand. The We people (also known as the Krahn or Guere) are an indigenous African people that inhabit areas in nowadays eastern Liberia and western Côte d'Ivoire. Their material culture shares many aspects with the neighboring Dan tribe. Like the Dans, the We use a wide variety of masquerades, which hold important regulatory position within their small, egalitarian communities. Masks are owned by families and used by individual lineage members in contexts of social control, ritual ceremony and entertainment. This type of Guere mask, however, has a distinct fearsome character. The ferocious design with jagged facial expression, bulging tubular eyes are intended for use in mediations between community members, as visual aids during moral lessons, as well as forms of entertainment. By portraying the more frightening nature of the animal, the mask is viewed as powerful and may have been used as part of social control methods prior to the introduction of Western law systems during the colonial period.
The mask on offer, based on our examination, appears to be an original one that was used natively instead of reproduction made for the tourist market. The surface presents apparently genuine patina consistent with use. The red paint that highlights the eyes and gapping mouth also appear original. There are small losses flanking the nose ridge by the eyes, extensive surface accretion, remain of some fiber tassels. The back of the mask reveals chisel marks from hand tools and importantly, stain marks that were likely from repetitive contacts from the nose of the wearer.
The mask is 9" in height, and it retains an old Sotheby’s catalog...
Category
20th Century Ivorian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Exquisite Red Ground Vintage Beni Mguild Moroccan Berber Rug
Located in Milan, IT
The Beni Mguild tribe is located in the mountainous region of the Moroccan Middle Atlas. Together with the Beni Ouarain, they represent the earliest Berber presence in that region as...
Category
1930s Moroccan Vintage Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Rubbing Oracle Of The Kuba/Bushoong Tribe, Dr Congo, 1st Half Of The 20th Centur
By Kuba
Located in Bilzen, BE
A rubbing oracle from the Kuba tribe DR Congo carved in wood with a strong expression
Patina tribal use
Length 31.5 cm, height 5 cm
Category
Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Mangbetu tribe female Statue - DR Congo Region Uele - 19th century
Located in Leuven, BE
Refined Mangbetu female figurine, Democratic Republic of Congo. Red-brown patina and fine carved scarifications on torso. Late 19th century. 30 cm high
Note : The Mangbetu people of...
Category
Late 19th Century Congolese Antique Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
Boucherouite Moroccan Berber Flat-Weave Rug
Located in Milan, IT
Woven with the exclusive use of recycled industrial yarns of various type, ranging from cotton to lurex, its weft directed pattern converges towards the centre, in a manner that remi...
Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Rare 19th Century Zulu Studded Knobkerrie, South Africa
Located in London, GB
The large, mushroom-shaped bulbous head of this rare 19th century Zulu knobkerrie from South Africa has been decorated with an array of early metal tac...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Amber Trellis Caramel & Deep Sea 180x270 cm Hand Knotted Rug
By JAIPUR RUGS
Located in Milano, IT
This beautiful handmade piece from our Savana collection transcends mere floor rugs to become a magnetic centerpiece in any space. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Antique Cappadocian Zili Flat-Weave Rug
Located in Milan, IT
Woven in a complex flat-weave technique known as Zili, this superb example originates from the area of Sivrihisar, located in Cappadocia. The background is entirely in wool and the a...
Category
1880s Turkish Antique Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Tuareg Tent Poles, Mid Century
Located in Wien, AT
These big wooden beams from bedouin tents from the Sahara were Mid-20 Century made.
The rich carving gives information about the respective tribal affilia...
Category
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Cedar
Lake Sentani Carved Feasting Platter
Located in Austin, TX
A well carved festival feasting platter. One end featuring a long billed water bird head. The exterior carved with a traditional complex interlocking motif. The interior plain and di...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
Vintage Middle Atlas Mrirt Moroccan Berber Rug
Located in Milan, IT
A delightful Berber rug originating from the Berber village of Mrirt decorated by four conjoined elements consisting of the chequerboard motif. The design appears as if it was carved...
Category
1960s Moroccan Vintage Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Baule Painted Kpan Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
To ward off evil and exert positive influences on the spirit world, the Baule people engage in a daylong masquerade known as the Goli. A sequence of four masks are donned during the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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 Nigerian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Steel, Iron
"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 Congolese Tribal 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 Cameroonian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Metal
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 Cameroonian Antique Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
Dramatic Boucherouite Moroccan Berber Flat-Weave Rug
Located in Milan, IT
Woven with the exclusive use of recycled industrial yarns of various type, ranging from cotton to lurex, its weft directed pattern converges towards the centre, in a manner that remi...
Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
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 Ivorian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Pair African Gourd Storage Vessels, Kenya or Ethiopia, early-mid 20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fantastic pair of large African gourd storage vessels with native repairs, early to mid 20th century, Ethiopia or Kenya.
This pair of dried and hollowed gourd vessels would origin...
Category
20th Century Kenyan Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber
African Primitive Wood Carving Torso Body Mask with Phallus
Located in Chiba, JP
Primitive wood carving torso with phallus (like a body mask, though no displaying hole), originally flown out from a collector of African tribal art in Japan, though its details unkn...
Category
Early 20th Century African Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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 Ethiopian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Pair of Large Carved Moba Tchitchiri Sculptural Figures, Togo, circa 1930
Located in London, GB
Striking in form, of light highly textured wood, two highly stylized anthropomorphic figures carved by the Moba people in Togo, West Africa. These forms most probably we owned by a f...
Category
1930s Togolese Vintage Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Yoruba Egungun Headdress Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
Attributed to the Yoruba people of western Nigeria, this wooden headdress was worn during a masquerade known as egungun. A widespread Yoruba ritual, egungun performances honor a comm...
Category
Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
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 Nigerian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Iron
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 Congolese Vintage Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber
Senufo Hand-Carved Wooden Ritual Flute
Located in New York, NY
Ivory Coast, African handcarved wooden flute, used for ceremonial performances. Used to evoke the spirits presence into community rituals. Beautiful decorative object, that measures ...
Category
Mid-20th Century African Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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 Cameroonian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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 Nigerien Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
19th Century Igbo Iron Spiral Currency (Manilla), Nigeria
Located in London, GB
This nineteenth-century spiral currency (Manilla), from the Igbo culture in Nigeria, is impressive in its size and exhibits a wonderfully exaggerated twisted, spiral form.
Spiral ir...
Category
19th Century Nigerian Antique Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Iron
1940's - 1950's Pare Maternity Figure, Tanzania
Located in London, GB
This finely carved mid-twentieth century figurative sculpture, from the Pare culture in Tanzania, depicts a female with large, prominent ears. Standing in a proud, upright stance, sh...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tanzanian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
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 Rwandan Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber
Ibo-Izzi, Nigeria Old ‘Ogbodo Enyi’ Elephant Mask
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
This mask type of the Ibo-Izzi, a subgroup of the Ibo, is actually a dance crest. The elephant mask 'ogbodo enyi' is worn horizontally on top of the head...
Category
Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Palace Heirloom Medium Ivory & Royal Gold 180x270 cm Handknotted Rug
By JAIPUR RUGS
Located in Milano, IT
Step back in time with this exquisite hand-knotted rug, a masterpiece crafted. Drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of oriental design, this rug features intricate floral motif...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Yoruba Edan Ogboni Figural Brass Staffs, 2 Pairs
Located in Astoria, NY
Two Pairs of Yoruba Edan Ogboni Figural Brass Staffs, each pair atop a stepped base, together with Segy Gallery documentation. Taller overall: 11.25" H x 5.25" W x 2.25" D. Provenanc...
Category
Late 19th Century Nigerian Antique Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Senufo "Wanyugo" Firespitter Helmet Mask, 19th C.
Located in Astoria, NY
Senufo "Wanyugo" Firespitter Helmet Mask, 19th century, with double-sided mythical beasts, mounted on patinated black metal stand. 20" H x 27" W x 12" D. Provenance: From a 35 East 7...
Category
19th Century Burkinabe Antique Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique carved wooden headdress from the Yoruba tribe, Nigeria, 1900-1920
By Yoruba Tribe
Located in Bilzen, BE
A carved wooden headdress from the Yoruba tribe, Nigeria
Strong expression face
Early 20th century
Rich tribal aged patina
Heigth 12 cm, diameter 12 x 13 cm
Category
Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Yoruba Painted Veranda Post
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand carved with a figurative design, this TOTEM-like wooden post was crafted by an artisan of the Yoruba peoples of Nigeria. Resembling the tall houseposts used to support the roof of a home, this shorter post would have been placed on a veranda courtyard as a symbolic and decorative element and did not bear weight. This veranda post...
Category
Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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 Nigerien Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Large Basketry Gable Mask from Papua New Guinea
Located in Highland, IN
A beautiful and large example of Oceanic art, this delightful woven mask would have been used on the gable of a middle Sepik meeting house. The wildly expressive form is accentuated ...
Category
1940s Papua New Guinean Vintage Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Cane, Rattan, Wood
Unreal Antique Halvai Kurdish Tribal Gallery Carpet, c. 1910's
Located in Milwaukee, WI
Unreal Antique Halvai Kurdish Tribal Rug Rare Size Spectacular Colors
About: One of One - Did you read that size?? Look at that funky "art-deco" Boteh and Interlockinng motifs run...
Category
20th Century Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Early Twentieth-Century Chokwe Title Staff Resembling a Bird, Angola
Located in London, GB
Resembling the upturned beak of a bird, the shape of this early twentieth-century title staff from the Chokwe culture in Angola exhibits a beautiful, simplistic form. A series of not...
Category
Early 20th Century Angolan Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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 Ivorian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Set of 2 1960s Geometric Carved Low Slung Tribal Palaver Chief Chairs
Located in Izegem, VWV
Authentic hand carved African low chairs with geometric patterns. Constructed by hand and assembled with dowels.
These were made in the Mid-1960s ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
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 Nigerian Antique Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Nepal Citipati Wood Dance Mask with Open Eyes Mouth Teeth, Late 19th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Oval dance mask from Nepal with powerful expression, open eyes and oval mouth with finely carved teeth, nicely carved ears representing the Buddhist Citipati, the skull faced protect...
Category
Late 19th Century Nepalese Antique Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Australian Aboriginal Painting on Hollow Log
Located in Atlanta, GA
Yalatai hollow log.
Artist: Binguur Wirrpanda.
Year of birth: 1973.
Nationality: Australian.
Region: East Arnhem Land.
Medium: Ochres on hollow log.
M...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Australian Aboriginal Yawkyawk Fiber Sculpture
Located in Atlanta, GA
Fiber art by contemporary aboriginal artist
Allison Guwanjguwanj. It depicts a dreamtime creature called "Yawkyawk" which is the ancestor of the clan. It is a mermaid-like creature ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber
1930's Woven Bark Fibre Panel
Located in London, GB
This 1930's panel, from the Mbole culture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has been woven from bark fibre. Dark-coloured strands of fibre, dyed with the roots of a banana tre...
Category
1930s Congolese Vintage Tribal Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber
Tribal folk art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Tribal folk art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage folk art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, rugs and carpets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Tribal folk art made in a specific country, there are Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original folk art, popular names associated with this style include Berber Tribes of Morocco, Yoruba People, Baule Tribe, and Benin People. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for folk art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $104,031 while the average work can sell for $1,853.