African Tribal Art

Beautiful Exchange Currency Object in metal from Congo, from around the 1970 ies, originally used as a foot-ankle band, as sign of wealth, later used as a currency object, the metal ...

A unusually large and impressive Mbole people hammered copper currency piece, mounted on a custom black metal stand, mid to late 20th century, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The large copper currency piece of striking form. The compressed spherical shape with a wedge cut out, and large hole in the center, is typical of Mbole currency pieces. This example is remarkable for its size, measuring 11 inches in diameter. The surface of the currency piece has a wonderful texture and patina. The hammered surface bearing dimples and scratches from manufacture, use, and general handling. The complex patina is overall a deep copper brown, with lighter copper, red cuprite, and even green blue malachite...

Small African pharmacy cabinet made of wood of the Dogon ethnic group. This small cabinet with two movable flaps on three legs was designed to store medicinal preparations made according to the advice of the elders who had been initiated into the science of trees or "Jiridon". The walls are carved with figures of the mythical ancestors Nommos, genii associated with the creation of the world, providing health and fertility and activating healing power. The Dogon are a people famous for their cosmogony, esotericism, myths and legends. Their population is estimated at about 300,000 souls living in the southwest of the Niger Loop in the Mopti region of Mali (Bandiagara, Koro, Banka), near Douentza and in part of northern Burkina (northwest of Ouahigouya). The villages are often located on the tops of scree slopes on the flanks of the hills and have unique architecture. The history of the migration and settlement of the Dogon (about ten main groups, about fifteen different languages), is characterized by several hypotheses. Some historians believe that the Dogon fled after an attack from an area west of their present location. Today, the artisanal blacksmiths of the Dogon, who form an endogamous caste called Irim, make weapons and tools and also work with wood. They are "masters of fire" and are said to heal burns (Huib Blom). Satin brown patina. Ex collection of African art from France.

Pair of horsemen in bronze from Mali of the Dogon ethnic group. Beautiful volume for this charming piece of large size. Brown patina with numerous nuances. 2 Armed riders sitting u...

These large, heavy, textured pots are said to have been made for use as water containers. They were produced by Lobi ceramic artists in the late 20th century, reportedly women potter...

An Ashanti stool, traditional personal stool from Ghana. Mid 1970s. Hand-carved from a single piece of teak wood. Use as a low end table, stand or seat.

1990s Ethnic African hand carved wooden 2-tone ceremonial tribal mask.

As stated in The Nelson Rockefeller Collection catalog: This 17th century bronze from the Court of Benin, Bini Tribe. (Nigeria, Africa) was originally created as a tusk holder for royal ancestral shrines...

One of the three royal masks, the Bwoom is one of the oldest mask types used by the Kuba people who live in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is said to have been introduced in th...

A three-pronged male headdress, made of old "white-heart" red glass beads, leather, raffia and boar's tusks. Used by the Hamer tribe in Ethiopia. Each of the three prongs measures 13...

An Ethiopian women's headpiece, made of old "white-heart" red glass beads, circa 1979. The length of the headpiece is 24 inches. The two lower ends have a 2.5-inch leather core, whi...

Polychrome leather African Massai tribe shield.