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Tribal Folk Art

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Style: Tribal
Bamana 'Chi-wara'
Located in Sharon, CT
Purchased from the estate of Patti Cadby Birch Trust. Birch was a collector and a trustee of Both MOMA and MMA. The antelope itself is 13 1/2"x4 3/4...
Category

1890s Sudanese Antique Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wicker, Wood

Striking Makonde Animal Helmet Mask, Dog or Hyena, Tanzania, Early 20th C.
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Striking Makonde animal helmet mask, dog or hyena, Tanzania. Early 20th century with dark patina from traditional tribal use, wear inside from being used. Finely carved features, wit...
Category

Early 20th Century Tanzanian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

A Rare Papua New Guinea Kukukuku 'Pineapple' Stone War Club, Eastern Highlands
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
This rare antique Kukukuku (pronounced "cookah-cookah") war club is from the remote Morobe Province located within the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. The head is carved from...
Category

Early 20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Stone

Mixtec Cloud and Thunder Symbol Serape Blanket Oaxaca Mexico
Located in New York, NY
Mixtec wool serape blanket, handwoven with traditional cloud and thunder symbols. Slit opening in middle for wearing. Hand knotted fringe. Oaxaca, Mexi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Bronze Currency Bracelet/Manilla, Dogon People, Burkina Faso, 19th c. - No 2
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Intricate graphical design with lines and accent points on the top and at both tips. This type o...
Category

Mid-19th Century Burkinabe Antique Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Bambara Standing Male Figure Powerful Shoulders Mali Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Bambara Standing male figure with powerful shoulders, arms at sides and large feet. From Mali, Africa It is in good condition with wear, polish and erosion from traditional use, appropriate for its age, use, and medium. Scuffs and nicks here and there. Age, wear and staining inside. On vintage wood block...
Category

Mid-20th Century Malian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

20th Century Bark Cloth Painting, Mbuti 'Efe' People, D.R. Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
20th Century bark cloth painting, Mbuti (Efe) people, Ituri Forest, D. R. Congo A painted barkcloth from the Efe people in the Ituri forest of no...
Category

1970s Congolese Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Natural Fiber

Slender 19th Century High-Backed Ethiopian Chair
Located in London, GB
This late nineteenth-century chair, from the Gindabarat in the Oromia region of Ethiopia, has been finely carved from a single piece of dense, heavy wood. The circular, narrow-in-siz...
Category

Late 19th Century Ethiopian Antique Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

African Tribal Statue Osseyba or Reliquary Figure Kota Mohongwe Peoples Art
Located in Miami, FL
A fantastically hand-crafted piece by the Kota (or Bakota) tribe who are located in the northeastern region of Gabon. This figure, which is a Mahongwe reliquary figure as exhibited with its truncated almond-shaped face, is made of wound copper, hammered brass and wood. Reliquary figures were used as guardians to protect the revered bones of venerated family ancestors and leaders and ward off unwanted spirits. These figures are meant to embody intense powers and were also commonly used in communal rites and ritual performances. This particular piece came from an American collector who traveled the African continent and collected African artifacts for over 50 years. This piece has a beautiful, organically aged patina acquired naturally over time and use. It is mounted on a custom wooden display stand. We believe it dates back to the early to mid-1900s but could be older. We are listing as 20th century because we did not have it appraised. This African Tribal Statue Osseyba or Reliquary Figure Kota (Bakota) Mohongwe Peoples decorative art would clearly stand out as part of a collection or by itself in any setting. Truly unique, eye-catching and engaging. Dimensions on stand: 25 3/4" High, 7" Wide, 5 1/2" Deep Kota Reliquary...
Category

Early 20th Century Gabonese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Brass, Copper

Iatmul People "Mei" Mask Sepik River New Guinea
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and powerfully carved Ceremonial Mask from New Guinea. In mineral paints with Cowrie Shell Eyes. Collected in Kaminabit, Middle Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea. The Mei is t...
Category

20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Early Papua New Guinea Painted Maprik Wood Mask Curves Old Pigments
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early Papua New Guinea painted Maprik carved hard wood mask. Mid-20th century, with wonderful curved expressive asymmetrical face. Long nose with pierced septum. Faded polychrome pig...
Category

Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Organic Material, Wood

Solomon Islands Santa Cruz Hand Carved Conical Head "Duka" Figure, 1930s
Located in South Burlington, VT
Originally collected in the Solomon Islands in 1938, this one of a kind treasure from the south pacific comes from a private oceanic collection. This is a Solomon Islands Santa Cruz hand carved figure called a Duka, circa 1930s. It was carved in an extremely hard native wood and features a finely carved, unusual extended conical head, a handwoven loin cloth and turmeric encrustation. For your convenience, many of our photographs were taken in natural day light which accurately illuminate surface areas depicting original dark patina that you would expect from an important early carving such as this one. We will include a complimentary custom wood display base that you see photographed. Dimensions: 21.25 inches high Provenance: collected in l938 and originally acquired by a visiting French collecting tourist in the Solomon Islands then to dealer and Texas collector and to our private collection in year 2000 so could have been a specially crafted fine 1930s tourist sculpture piece for the visiting French tourist. History: Duka sculpture from Nendo Island, politically part of the Solomon Islands, is distinctive, and only a limited number of works have been documented. The conical extension at the back of the head represents a man's hairstyle. Called abe, its construction and shape was a symbol of wealth and high social status, and for older men, it also served the practical purpose of covering bald spots. All Nendo figure refer to deities or supernatural beings (Ellis: 2009, pp. 78-85) Auction sale: Bonhams Auctions April 28, 2015 sale. Exceptional Lime Container...
Category

Early 20th Century Solomon Islands Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Tapestry, Wood

Large Buyu Protection Figure Democratic Republic Congo Africa
Located in Rochester, NY
Old Buyu male ancestral protection power figure showing good signs of genuine age w/ beautiful old color patina. Democratic Republic Congo, Africa. Mid 20th. Measures 32" h x 10" w x...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Early Papua New Guinea Sepik Woven Raffia Talipun Mask With Pigments Custom Base
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early Papua New Guinea Sepik tightly woven raffia mask from a talipun bride price currency. Areas of white, black and red pigments. Wonderful heart shaped face with open eyes and mouth. This mask or face would have been tied to a large shell which was the currency used...
Category

Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Organic Material

20th Century African Songye Nkishi Kifwebe Figure, Democratic Republic of Congo
Located in London, GB
For sale is this wonderful vintage African hand-carved Kifwebe association Figure (or "N'kishi"), originating from the Songye people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly the...
Category

Late 20th Century Congolese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Early Papua New Guinea Weathered Sepik Stylized Hook Figure Mask
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early Papua New Guinea abstract hook figure or mask with two opposing hooks, and central looped design, Sepik River area. Some chips missing to central loops. Small hole at top for s...
Category

Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Organic Material

Contemporary Kayapo-Style Headdress With Moulting Feathers
Located in Paris, FR
Headdress in the style of Indian Tribe Kayapo under frame, made of moulting feathers from Blue Macaw, Blue-fronted Amazon, Rosablin, Triton and Alba cacaotès, Alexander parakeet, Demoiselle and Crowned crane, Chinese red rooster and Blue peacock; all sourced within France. With Lapis lazulli...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Glass, Wood, Feathers

Early Papua Korwar Ancestor Figure, Early 19th Century, Deep Black-Brown Patina
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An extremely rare Papua wood sculpture of a Korwar Papua New Guinea, Cendrawasih Bay, Wandammen, early 19th century Measures: Height 24 x Diameter 18 cm Finely carved in th...
Category

Early 19th Century Indonesian Antique Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Fine Sculptural African Mortar and Pestle
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Reminiscent of the Elemental sculpture of Constantin Brancusi, this Hardwood African Mortar and Pestle has a fantastic paper smooth age patin...
Category

20th Century African Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Hardwood

Lega Bwami Society Mask on Display Stand with Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
On offer is a Lega Bwami society wooden mask from the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was likely from the first half of the 20th century and an authentic in-field piece. The mask di...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Fine Tribal Bambara Cubist Figurative Wood Door Lock Early 20th c Mali Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Fine Tribal Bambara cubist figurative wood door lock, early 20th century Mali, Africa great abstract figure with strong cubist stylized elegant face. The Bambara of Mali use decorated door locks sliding horizontal bar and with a removable key (missing here) to secure the doors to houses or millet granary. This door lock shows a stylized human body with strongly sculpted face and carved notch in back to hold the movable cross bar. The rectangular body is decorated with fine, geometric line...
Category

Early 20th Century Malian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Sanggori Brass/Copper Head Ornament, Toraja People, Sulawesi
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Offered by Zena Kruzick Early 20th century tribal sanggori brass or copper alloy head ornament, Toraja people, Sulawesi, Indonesia. These sinuous brass and copper alloy head piec...
Category

Early 20th Century Indonesian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Brass, Copper

Rare Lobi Double Figure Male Female Standing on Shoulders Ghana Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Antique Akha Hill Tribe Silver Cuff Bracelet, Golden Triangle
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
An Akha Tribe Woven Silver Bracelet with spiral design. This Tribal bracelet encompasses tradition Hill tribe silversmithing techniques with each silver str...
Category

Early 20th Century Thai Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Silver

Hand Woven Mixtec Mexican Colourful Wool Serape Blanket
Located in New York, NY
Handwoven wool serape blanket from the highlands of Oaxaca, Mexico with traditional Mixtec symbols, circa 1950s.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Early Papua New Guinea Sepik Woven Yam Mask Yellow Pigments on Custom Base
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early Papua New Guinea Sepik River area tightly woven raffia yam mask with areas of heavy yellow and black pigments. In profile small bird beak form at bottom...
Category

Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Organic Material

Indonesian 'Wayang Kulit" Shadow Puppet, Java, Indonesia, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
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...
Category

Early 20th Century Indonesian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Leather, Wood

Late 19th-Early 20th Century Tribal Mask, West Nepal
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Late 19th-early 20th century Tribal mask, West Nepal A mask from West Nepal with a sharp straight nose, squinting eyes and a square mouth showing upper and lower teeth. There are re...
Category

Late 19th Century Nepalese Antique Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Kuba Iron Currency Spear, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
While shield and spear were central to African combat, this iron example was most likely made to serve as a piece of trade currency. Many pre-colonization African currencies were modeled after objects of inherent value, resulting in sculptural combinations of function and beauty. This large iron spear dates to the early 20th century and is attributed to the Kuba people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Secured to a narrow handle of iron and wood, the flattened blade has an elegant, sloping silhouette, subtly textured with raised lines and a rusted, antique patina. Forged as a broadleaf spear, the weapon contrasts a violent potential with images of peaceful branches swaying in the wind. We've set this unusual Kuba spear...
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Mid-20th Century Black Dance Mask, Guerrero, Mexico
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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...
Category

1940s Mexican Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

1960s Moroccan Vintage Tribal African Rug
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan authentic vintage tribal rug handwoven by Berber Moroccan women using organic lamb wo and organic dye.Vintage Berber rug from the Taznakht tribe in south eastern Morocco. Ra...
Category

1960s Moroccan Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Beautifully Formed 1930's - 1940's Pokot Elder's Stool, Kenya
Located in London, GB
The form of this early twentieth-century Pokot stool from Kenya exhibits a beautiful sculptural quality, in which three curved, flared and flattened legs support the flat circular se...
Category

Early 20th Century Kenyan Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

African Katanda Mask – Lega Tribe, DR Congo – Mid 20th Century
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Bring a piece of African heritage into your space with this authentic vintage Katanda mask from the Lega people of DR Congo. Hand-carved in the mid-20th century, this tribal mask is ...
Category

1950s Congolese Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Hardwood

Ndoma Baule Portrait Mask, Ivory Coast, Wood, lacquered patina, Circa 1930
Located in NICE, FR
"Ndoma” Baule Portrait Mask, Ivory Coast, Circa 1930 Wood, heavy wood with deep brown-black lacquered patina. A superb old hardwood dance mask featuring an ...
Category

1930s Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Moroccan Vintage Beni Ouarain Rug North Africa
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan vintage Berber rug from the Beni Ouarain tribes. Lush white and black organic wool rug with geometrical lozenges designs. From the Middle Atlas Mountains, circa 1950s, North...
Category

1950s Moroccan Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Maori Hand Carved Tribal Sculpture of Hunter
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Hand carved Maori sculpture of a hunter carrying a crocodile and fish.
Category

1940s New Zealand Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Ashanti Bronze Figurine, Asante People, Ghana, 1950s
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Akan Ashanti cast bronze figurine. The Ashanti or Asante People from Ghana have a rich tradition of crafting bronze pieces to commemorate important figures from their culture or peop...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

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

Mid-20th Century Tribal Beaded Cache-Sex Modesty Apron, Cameroon
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Mid-20th century tribal beaded cache-sex modesty apron (Pikuran), Mandara Mountains, Cameroon These colorful cache-sex were worn for celebrations, rituals...
Category

Early 20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Shell, Beads

Late 19th/Early 20th Century White Tribal Wood Figure for Protection, Nepal
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Late 19th/Early 20th Century White Tribal Wood Figure for Protection, Nepal A guardian figure with a round flat face and minimally carved features in the typical crouching posture w...
Category

Early 20th Century Nepalese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Hardwood

Poto African Iron Sword, Congo Africa on Stand
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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...
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wrought Iron

19th-Early 20th Century Tantric Hook and Snare, Nepal
Located in Point Richmond, CA
19th to early 20th century Iron hook and snare, Nepal A rare, esoteric device used by Buddhist Tantric practitioners in Tibet and Nepal as a method of controlling events. These powe...
Category

Late 19th Century Nepalese Antique Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Antique Tribal Cameroon Walking Stick
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Walking or Ceremonial stick Bamileke People Cameroon 20th century Wood, hand cast metal tip Measures: 33 1/2" x 8 1/4" (85.5 x 20.5 cm).
Category

Early 20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Cameroon "Bat" Stool African Sculpture
Located in Sharon, CT
Possibly Babanki. Circular ceremonial wood stool constructed of repeated animal heads. Original applied patina.
Category

Early 20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Chinese Folk Wood Dance Mask with Smiling Expression Traces of Paint from China
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Carved wood dance mask from China with smiling expression, large square hat or headdress. Traces of many layers of paint, including red, blue, black and white pigments. Darkened pat...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Akua'ba Ritual Fertility Doll
Located in Kastrup, DK
Carved wood Akuaba, sometimes known as an Ashanti doll or a Fanti doll. Untouched condition with a beautiful natural age-related patina. Akua'ba (sometim...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Small Dancing Lobi Figure With Arms Out, Cubist Face Ghana West Africa ex Willis
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Small dancing Lobi figure with arms out, and cubist face from Ghana, West Africa. ex James Willis, San Francisco, CA. Damage to proper right hand, fingers absent. Heavy encrusted p...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

1950s Authentic Moroccan African Tuareg Wedding Runner Rug 15.5 ft long
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1950s authentic Vintage Moroccan nomadic African Tuareg rug, black camel hair with wo and cotton embroidered geometrical modernist designs and adorned with sequins,This rug was used in the Berber...
Category

1950s Moroccan Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Antique Thai Hill Tribe Cuff Bracelet with Engraved Tribal Patterns
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Thai hill tribe silver bracelet is beautifully engraved with tribal motifs. The Thai Silver Jewellery created by the Hill Tribes are objects o...
Category

Early 20th Century Thai Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Silver

Bamileke Throne Stool with Leopard
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Bamileke throne made with wood, coated with jute, embroidered with polychrome glass beads, cowrie snails, embroidery with glass beads that are missing in some areas. In the Grassfiel...
Category

Early 20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Folk Art

Yoruba (Nigeria) Early 20th Century Cloth
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine early 20th Century hand spun indigo cotton and Trans-Sahara silk cloth.
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Cotton, Silk

Nepal Mahakala Wood Dance Mask with Open Eyes Fierce Mouth Teeth
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Carved wood smaller dance mask from Nepal with powerful expression, open eyes and open mouth with carved teeth and fangs, representing the Buddhist Mahakala, the demon chaser. The to...
Category

Early 20th Century Nepalese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Ashanti Prestige Stool with Elephant Motif, Ghana
Located in London, GB
This impressive early twentieth-century stool, from the Ashanti culture in Ghana, depicts an elephant - an Ashanti symbol of power and strength. Finely carved from a heavy brown wood...
Category

Early 20th Century Ghanaian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Hardwood

Vintage Turkish Anatolian Carpet
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Turkish Anatolian carpet from the mid-20th century.
Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Large Woven Painted Basketry Wall Mask Blackwater Rivers, Papua New Guinea
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Large woven painted basketry wall mask created in Blackwater Rivers area, Papua New Guinea. With open expressive mouth and mask fringed with feathers, striking mask that easily hang...
Category

Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Organic Material

Small Used Senufo Bird Beak Face Weaving Heddle Pulley, Ivory Coast Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Small used Senufo stylized bird beak face weaving heddle pulley, Ivory Coast Africa I Deep patina and polish from traditional use, circular wear inside from weaving bobbin, now absen...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Small Used Senufo Bird Faced Weaving Heddle Pulley, Ivory Coast Africa I
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Small used Senufo stylized bird faced weaving heddle pulley, Ivory Coast Africa I Deep patina and polish from traditional use, circular wear inside from weaving bobbin, now absent. 6...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Old Bulu Cameroon Singe Mask Large
Located in Torquay, GB
On offer is a rare large sized 'Singe' Monkey mask from the Bulu people of south central Cameroon. The Bulu are a sub-group of the Cameroon Fang, having originated from Gabon. This...
Category

Mid-20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

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.

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