Dance Head Ornament Representing an Antelope Head, Burkina Faso, Africa

Interesting maternity figure in a hieratic pose presenting a young adolescent. Beautiful facial expression, showing wisdom and knowledge. She is sitti...

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...

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...

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 ...

Large carved hardwood ornamental structure used as a support and a decorative frontispiece. It bears a stylized face embedded within an ornately carved and painted geometric pattern....

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 ...

Nafana "Bedu" mask, from Southern Burkina Faso/Ivory Coast. Wood with natural earth pigments. Note the double faces, one with tubular eyes and mouth for the dancer and the larger a...

This impressive collection of four carved wood figures are from the landlocked African country of Burkina Faso. This nation bordered by 6 other countries ...

African mask from Gabon in the middle of the last century. Eccentric appearance due to the carving with an elegant antelope head placed on top. Polychrome painting in mustard yell...

Early carved wood antelope mask, with many horns, applied glass mirrors, cowries and seeds. Old native repair to one horn. It is in good condition wear and erosion from tradition...

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...

Early 20th Century African Antique Wood Comb with Human Head From the Chokwe Culture of Angola. A fine, old, much used comb with a glossy, glasslike patina...