Large Tutsi Prestige Basket

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...

This large, rare Igbo title stool from Nigeria displays a wonderful sculptural form. The circular seat and base are connected by a series of beautifully curved supporting legs, whi...

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...

This large, two-sectioned woven cane Wagogo storage basket from Tanzania has been beautifully decorated with depictions of animals around the central band. This is one of the nicest ...

Prestige display bottles Tutsi People Rwanda and Burundi First half of 20th century European glass bottles, glass beads, cotton net stringing Height: tallest is 11.25 inches.  

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...

A Group of Tutsi Prestige Basketry Rwanda First half, 20th century Grass and other plant fibers, natural dye, coiling technique Measures: Height, left to right: 7 1/4”; 8”; 9 1/...

An exceptional prestige bottle from the Tutsi tribe (Rwanda), the bottle is decorated with a very fine weaving vegetal fibre (museum quality) Heigth 33 cm, diameter 7.5 cm This bott...