Skip to main content

Tribal Folk Art

to
154
564
349
934
45
19
1,989
1,063
987
309
199
179
163
89
82
78
54
42
38
32
23
22
7
38
100
796
64
297
349
55
9
3
14
25
20
26
20
16
4
2
492
227
149
147
82
599
506
202
100
83
998
959
996
38
25
13
6
6
Style: Tribal
19th Century Large Buffalo Statue from Burma
Located in Point Richmond, CA
19th century exceptionally large buffalo mold from Burma Materials: wood, metal Measures: H 23 in x L 18.5 in, 58.4 cm x 47 cm. Wooden buffalo mold for making papier mâché toy...
Category

19th Century Burmese Antique Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Early and Unusual Loop-Pile Beni Ouarain Moroccan Berber Rug
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

1920s Moroccan Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Vintage Azilal Abstract Berber Moroccan Rug
Located in Milan, IT
Azilal weavings are certainly among the most abstract Berber rugs. This example depicts a pair of stylized trees flanking a central dark element - ...
Category

1970s Moroccan Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Gabbeh Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Gabbeh modernist carpet from the mid-20th century. A vintage Persian Gabbeh rug. The khaki field of this small square tribal scatter is closely covered by a nested ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Noblewoman's Ceremonial Overskirt, Kuba People
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Noblewoman’s Ceremonial Overskirt Shoowa People, DR Congo Mid 20th century Raffia, palm fiber, stem stitch and cut pile embroidery 42.5 x 2 ins. (108 x 51 cm) An unusual overskirt ...
Category

1950s Congolese Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Raffia

Antique Persian Kurdish Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian Kurd rug from the early 20th century.
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Nepal Himalayan Butter Churn Handle, Early 20th Century with Heart Shape
Located in Point Richmond, CA
An old carved wood Nepal, North India or other Himalayan culture butter churn handle called a ghurra. Created in the early 20th century. The handle with braided columns rising to a h...
Category

Early 20th Century Nepalese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Older Yoruba African Carved and Painted Mask, Labeled
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An older small scale mask carved and painted white (now worn) with painted blue and black features and a black top knot. Marked on interior tape, “Yoruba”. The Mask with good age, fa...
Category

Mid-20th Century African Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Namji Doll with Beads, Cowries, Coins and Metal Rings, Cameroon Mid 20th century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Sometimes referred to as dolls, this is a highly abstract figure with conical head, arms and legs held out from body, long columnar neck wrapped with mulitple strands of different si...
Category

Mid-20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Mid-20th Century Tribal Beaded Cache-Sexe Modesty Apron, Cameroon
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Mid-20th century tribal beaded cache-sexe modesty apron (pikuran), Bana Guili people, Mandara Mountains, Cameroon An unusual cache-sexe made of blue and yellow beads so scattered ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Shell, Beads

Adire Eleko Yoruba Textile
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Adire Eleko “Spinning Tops" Woman’s Wrapper Yoruba People Nigeria Circa 1960s-1970s Cotton brocade (bazin cloth) (3 panels), starch-resist and stencil dyed with indigo 76 ¼ x 66 ½ ...
Category

1960s Nigerian Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Cotton

Antique Woman’s Ceremonial Beaded Cache-sexe (Pikuran), Cameroon
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Woman’s Ceremonial Beaded Cache-sexe (Pikuran), Cameroon Worn by the Bana Guilli (Kirdi) women of the Mandara Mountain region in northern Cameroon, pubic aprons, or cache-se...
Category

Mid-20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Beads

Rare Gabon Mask From Tsogho Peoples with Character, Central Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Gabonese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Rare Raffia Fibre Pygmy Baby Sling or Carrier, DRC
Located in London, GB
This baby sling or carrier from the equatorial forest region of north-eastern DRC has an amazing contemporary appearance. The carrier is made from multiple strands of twisted and kn...
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Raffia

19th Century Gurage Headrest With Double-Tiered Structure, Ethiopia
Located in London, GB
Dating to the late 19th century, this is a fine and rarer form of Ethiopian headrest with a double-tiered, cone-shaped base. Decorating the base ar...
Category

Late 19th Century Ethiopian Antique Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Bobo Uele Mask, Bwa, North Burkina Faso, First Half of 1900s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Bobo Uele Mask in hand-carved wood from the Bwa tribe in northern part of Burkina Faso. Antilope-shaped mask with human-like face. Painted with white and black color. Provenance:...
Category

Early 20th Century Burkinabe Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Ancient carved Make-up Box From The Kuba Tribe, Dr Congo
By Kuba
Located in Bilzen, BE
A very old wooden make-up box Circa: early 20th century Origin: DR Congo from the Kuba tribe Material: wood, Condition of item: age appropriate wear. Very rich tribal patina 7 x ...
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Nocturnal Bird Mask, Nigeria, Africa, circa 1950
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Very beautiful mask with large pronounced eyes with the circular cavity shape. The mask depicts a nocturnal bird that can see in the darkness and manifest the presence of divinities ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Two Antique Niger Bura Peoples Fired Clay Heads on Stands
Located in Morristown, NJ
Bura fired clay heads, possibly 3rd-10th c. CE, Niger, Bura peoples. These are very expressive examples on custom mounts, the larger with manganese deposits. Between the 3rd and 10th centuries, the dead were laid to rest at a site in present-day Niger downstream from the Inland Niger delta. The burial ground’s density and expanse suggest a veritable city of the departed. Several hundred individual graves were marked by upturned pottery urns, some of which were cylinders topped by figurative imagery. The most elaborate of these were full-bodied equestrians, while the most basic were highly abstract, independent heads. Note: These figures will be professionally packed by a specialist shipper at the sellers expense. Dimensions: 11.25"h x 6.75"w x 3"d and 8"h x 3.75"w (incl. stands) Condition: Good, wear consistent with age and materials Provenance: Acquired by the present owner from Dr. David Rilling, 1990s. About Dr. David Rilling. A Pennsylvania based medical doctor, Dr Rilling began collecting African and Oceanic antiques...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Nigerien Antique Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Clay

Ewe Kente
By Ewe People
Located in Glasgow, GB
This is a fine piecevof Kente Textile from the Ewe people of the Volta region of Ghana. Woven from handspun cotton and natural dyes. This is a prestige cloth worn by a high ranking Elder of the Ewe people. The pattern denotes the individuals high status within the community with the dark blue background indicating the wisdom and knowledge of the owner. This piece will date from the 1930's and is in very fine condition. Ewe Kente...
Category

1930s Ghanaian Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Cotton

Fine Ashanti Stool with Bird Motif, Ghana
Located in London, GB
This fine Ashanti stool from Ghana, which dates to the first half of the 20th century, features an unusual motif - a bird of prey. The surface of this stool exhibits a lovely smooth,...
Category

20th Century Ghanaian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Kuba Woman's Prestige Hat (Mpaan)
Located in London, GB
In Kuba society, title holding is dominated by men; there are only two titles held by women. Headdresses were and are the most visible expression of o...
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Shell, Beads

Large Vintage Traditional Wooden Bongo Drum Hand Painted Boho Tribal Art
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A superb vintage Bongo Drum, lovely decorative piece with beautiful wood construction and hand-painted with a vibrant tribal colourway. Lovely wear and colour to the wood. In Excel...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Fine Early Prestige Kuba Chieftain's Cap (Laket Mishiing)
Located in London, GB
Traditionally worn as a symbol of rank and title, this beautiful Kuba chieftain's cap (laket mishiing) is embellished with cowrie shells and rows of blue, white and black glass beads. The body of the hat has been fashioned from raffia fibre using the woven basketry technique, and displays the typical form of the Kuba 'laket' cap, with four scallop-shaped 'ears'. When worn, one of the 'ears' would have been squarely positioned at the front of the wearer's forehead. Given to Kuba men upon completion of an initiation rite, small dome-shaped raffia hats signalled their transformation into mature members of Kuba society. As a Kuba man moved up the social ladder, his headgear would change, with male titleholders commissioning local artisans to produce splendidly decorated prestige hats to signal his rank. The accumulation of materials on a Kuba man’s hat...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Shell, Natural Fiber, Beads

Organic Handmade African Tribal Art Folk Art Hand Carved Wood Stool Ivory Coast
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Andrianna Shamaris Senufo Style African tribal art very unique wood stool, bench, side table or headrest from a single block of wood with stunning wood grain and patina. Stur...
Category

1950s Ivorian Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Reclaimed Wood

Rare Antique Woman's Silk Ceremonial Headscarf (Kiet), Cambodia
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Rare Antique Woman's Silk Ceremonial Headscarf (Kiet), Cambodia This traditional head cloth or veil was made by the Cham people of Cambodia, a Muslim group with historic ties to Mal...
Category

Early 20th Century Cambodian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Silk

Contemporary Giraffe Iron Sculpture, with Use of Tools and Other Objects C20
Located in Coimbra, PT
Giraffe by José Jerónimo single piece of art Iron sculpture with use of tools and other objects Signed Measures: 81 x 41 x 15 cm. Private collection.
Category

Late 20th Century Ivorian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Metal, Iron

Early Danced Black Wood Mask From the Guro Peoples Ivory Coast Bird on top
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early Danced Black Wood Mask From the Guro Peoples Ivory Coast Bird on top. Finely carved mask with carved open eyes, and pointed nose and slightly smiling mouth. It is in good co...
Category

Early 20th Century Gabonese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Chi Wara Headdresses Animal Sculpture , Bambara People, Mali
Located in Antwerp, BE
Bamana old original pair Chi Wara headdress. Chi Wara (Antelope Headdress.) The dry savanna permits no more than a subsistence economy and the soil produces,...
Category

Early 20th Century Malian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Fine Bronze Bangle Featuring Two Animals. Burkina Faso/Ghana
Located in London, GB
This finely cast bronze bangle is possibly Gan, or a related culture, from Burkina Faso or northern Ghana. It depicts two animals resembling chameleons which flank a central decorati...
Category

Early 20th Century Burkinabe Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

Angola Chokwe Mask Revisited by Bomber Bax
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful classic Chokwe mask genre that honours female founding ancestors. Such representations are particularly significant as the Chokwe trace the descent through the lines of their mothers. This is thought to be a dance mask with a net and wood hairstyle, from the Batshokwe people skilled in the art of carving and of very ancient origin belonging to the culture of the divine monarchy. The Batshokwe sculptors were the most famous in the region, masters in geometric decorations such as the depiction of scarifications and tooth deformations, the surfaces of their works were carefully smoothed and polished. On the forehead of the mask, the classic chinge-lyengelye scarification is clearly visible, commonly interpreted as a variant of the Portuguese cross...
Category

Early 1900s Angolan Antique Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Two Mounted Mbole Woven Bark Fibre Panels, DRC
Located in London, GB
Woven panels such as this would have decorated the walls of a traditional meeting house. The panels are made from woven bark fibre decorated with striking geometric designs. The da...
Category

1930s Congolese Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Natural Fiber

Mende Women's Helmet Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
This helmet mask created by the Mende people of Sierra Leone was made for the women of their tribe to wear while dancing. Commissioned by women for their ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

1960s Vintage Moroccan Tribal African Rug
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Fabous authentic 1960s vintage Moroccan tribal African rug.Handwoven by Berber women in Morocco using organic wo and vegetable dyes. Very nice earth tone cors with dark royal blue.So...
Category

1960s Moroccan Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Early Twentieth-Century South African Headrest
Located in London, GB
This fine early twentieth-century headrest, from the Zulu culture in South Africa, was previously part of a selection of exceptional Southern African art in the Terence and Bernice P...
Category

Early 20th Century South African Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Hardwood

Salampasu Mask – DR Congo – Mid 20th Century – African Tribal Art
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Discover the soul of Africa through this authentic Salampasu mask from DR Congo, handcrafted in the mid-20th century. Part of a carefully curated collection sourced from private home...
Category

1950s Congolese Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Hardwood

Polychrome Wood Gelede Headdress, Yoruba People, Nigeria, circa 1940s
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Gelede festivals honour the creative and dangerous power of women elders, female ancestors and goddesses known as "our mothers". The Gelede headdress often consists of two parts, a lower mask and an upper elaborate superstructure. The lower mask depicts a woman's face, it's composure expressing the qualities of calmness and patience. The numbers are the inventory numbers from Penn State University and Lehigh University. Exhibited: The Pennsylvania State University - Museum of Art permanent collection; The Lehigh University - Art Galleries permanent collection. Provenance: The collection of Dr and Mrs John E. Swanson. Dr John Swanson and his wife Marian lived from 1966 - 1981 in Lagos, Nigeria where Dr Swanson was the Advisor to the National Universities Commission and later on the Chief Planning Officer of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. During their time in Africa the Swansons started to collect African art. In 1973 a part of their collection, circa 120 pieces went on loan to The Pennsylvania State University Museum of Art, where the remained until 1978. In 1981 Dr Swanson passed away and his wife Marian never returned to Africa. In 1982 Mrs Swanson lent 130 pieces to the Lehigh University Art Gallery where they remained until 1987. A few pieces were also lent to Lafayette College...
Category

Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Pende-Style Antelope Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
Masks from the Pende people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are considered some of the most dramatic works of African art. The Pende have defined an extensive range of mask forms, many with distinct characters embodied during ritual ceremony. Colored by red and white pigments, this Pende mask...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Vintage Djebel Amour Saharan Berber Rug
Located in Milan, IT
A rare weaving attributed to the Djebel Amour tribe, located in Algeria close to the border with eastern Morocco along the Saharan Atlas. Although the tri...
Category

1950s Algerian Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Vintage Central Asian Felt Rug
Located in Milan, IT
Felts are among the first woolen structures made by mankind. Some of the earliest we know date from the 5th century B.C. and were found under ground in the frozen kurgans of Siberia....
Category

1930s Kyrgyzstani Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Tuareg Leather Camel Saddle from Niger Agadez Africa
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Tuareg leather tribal camel saddle from Agadez, Niger Africa. Finely handcrafted camel saddle formed by stitching brightly colored leather embossed onto a forked wooden base. The sa...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerien Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Leather, Wood

Senufo Bed from Ivory Coast
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A West African Senufo bed hand carved from a single tree having four tapered legs with a raised headrest and decorative scallop detail.
Category

20th Century Ivorian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Early and Rare Abstract Rehamna Berber Carpet
Located in Milan, IT
The carpets of the Rehamna derive from the Haouz, a landscape of hills and plains situated between the Middle Atlas and the Atlantic ocean mostly inhabited by Arabic groups and arabi...
Category

1920s Moroccan Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Studded African Mask by Brian Stanziale
Located in Chicago, IL
In an exclusive collaboration with Pagoda Red, Chicago artist the bms. adds a contemporary twist to our collection of one-of-a-kind African art objects. Embellishing with silver and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary African Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Willi Huggler Brutalist Style Carved Wood Mask
By Willi Huggler
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Carved grotesque wood mask with pierced eyes, very hooked nose, cigar between very crooked bone teeth. Label on verso reads, “Willi Huggler (Swiss, 1925...
Category

20th Century Swiss Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Bone, Wood

Terracotta Tikar Figurine - Maison Dieu - Cameroon
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Terracotta Tikar Figurine - Maison Dieu - Cameroon primitive art - tribal art - Africa Measures : 15.5cmx9cm H:26.5cm Material : Terracotta Wear consistent with age and use.
Category

20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Terracotta

Senufo Figure African Sculpture
Located in Sharon, CT
Authentic tribal piece, early 20th century.
Category

Early 20th Century Ivorian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Hand Woven Turkish Purple, Pastel Pink and Peach Rug with geometric detail
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Peach and purple woven wool rug from Turkey. Featuring beautiful purple and peach tones and a geometric tribal pattern in the middle. Great for a hallway, beside a bed, in a foyer or...
Category

1990s Turkish Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Bronze Currency Bracelet/Manilla, Dogon People, Burkina Faso, 19th c. - No 5
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Intricate graphical swirled rope work design and tips are shaped with large flat ends with geome...
Category

Mid-19th Century Burkinabe Antique Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Berber Moroccan Ourika Valley Eye Design Flat-Weave Rug
Located in Milan, IT
Woven with natural, undyed wool, flat-weaves such as the one illustrated here are characteristic of the Berber people located in the Ourika Valley, in the Moroccan High Atlas region....
Category

1940s Moroccan Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Coconut Shell Engraved Tribal Bowl from Nias, Mentawai Islands, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This hand crafted and tribal engraved bowl originates from Nias Island Indonesia. It features tribal motifs along the rim and a beautiful hand hewn texture along its basin. It is cra...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indonesian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Coconut

African Seated Luba Figure
Located in Chicago, IL
Artisans from the Luba tribe were renowned for the organic flow of their carving style. This example clearly shows the smooth transition from aspect to aspect, maintaining a singular...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Carved Wood Tribal Panel from Timor Island, Indonesia, Early 20th C
Located in Atlanta, GA
An early 20th century carved wood door panel from Timor Island in the Indonesian archipelago. This antique wall panel from Timor Island (an isl...
Category

20th Century Indonesian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Metal

African Incised Copper Currency Anklet, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Time honored texture and form define this Nigerian copper sculptural object. The intricate geometry was achieved through a process known as scarification. The artisan would meticulou...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Copper

Mid 20th Century Hand Carved African Fertility Mask, Akan People
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very decorative fertility mask by the Baule tribe, associated with the Akan people who live both in Ghana and in the Ivory Coast. The sides with three...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Outstanding 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

1950s Moroccan Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Antique Man’s Ceremonial Beaded Vest (Kuton), Gadding, Philippines
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Man’s Ceremonial Beaded Vest (Kuton), Gadding, Philippines This Gaddang man’s ceremonial vest is from the Cordillera region in northern Luzon, Philippines. It’s composed of ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Cotton

Vintage Embroidered Central Asian Felt Rug
Located in Milan, IT
Felts are among the first woollen structures made by mankind. Some of the earliest we know date from the 5th century B.C. and were found under ground in the frozen kurgans of Siberia...
Category

1930s Kyrgyzstani Vintage Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wool

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.

Recently Viewed

View All