19th Century Tribal Art

A superb heavy tribal bracelet from the Horn of Africa, attributed to the Ethiopian, Somali, or Nubian regions. Crafted from high-grade silver, this substantial piece is richly decor...

Rare Antique Japanese Oversized Sleeping Kimono (Yogi) This is the outer shell of a type of shaped sleeping kimono known as a yogi. Yogi were in more common use during the Edo and M...

A beautiful rare Antique Qing Dynasty Chinese Ethnic Minority silver Coral turquoise necklace from Yunnan. A superb chain necklace with added Taoist charms with turquoise and fine r...

Antique Japanese Recycled Boro Patchwork Futon Cover This indigo-dyed patchwork boro futon cover is a physical testimony to the determination and resourcefulness of those living in ...

Fiji Ula Club Polynesian war club Tribal Oceanic A  good antique Fiji  Ula throwing club With naturally occurring root fissures on the ball head  Good condition with minor age cra...

A Nomoli is a carved stone figurine native to Sierra Leone and Liberia. They are usually made of soapstone, limestone, or granite. The carving depicts a man holding his belly with a...

Kota Reliquary of classic form. Brass and iron over wood. On an old base, with an old number label. Ex Estate of Willliam Kohler, Christies NY 'Important Tribal Art' Nov 20 1997.

Stunning and rare Omani tribal necklace in gold and silver featuring eight Burgau thalers dated 1780 and a large amulet box (Hirz) also in gold and silver. 19th century. Very good condition. Preserved and professionally framed. Dimensions of the necklace: 52 x 30 x 3 Dimensions of the frame: 70 x 47 x 5 Secure shipping. This fine Omani necklace of silver and gold comprises two strands of spiky, seed pod-like silver beads; gold-wrapped beads; eight silver Maria Theresa thaler coins; and a large silver and gold amulet box, with multiple chain tassels each of which finishes with a square-shaped pendant cut from sheet silver. The cigar-shaped amulet box called hirz would have contained some Koranic verse or religious text. Such a spectacular display of wealth would only have been worn at times of important festivities such as marriage celebrations. Maria Theresa thalers were made in Austria since the reign of Empress Maria Theresa of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Empress died in 1780 and since that time, all thalers that were subsequently struck were minted with that date regardless of the actual year that they were produced. The coins achieved such a level of trust for their silver content (which is 83.3% silver) in the Middle East that neither the design not the date was varied, and so for more than 200 years the coins were used as an international currency among the tribes and the states of the Middle East, in much the same way as the Spanish dollar was used as an international currency at the time elsewhere. The thalers were used to complete most important transactions locally and were also given as dowries. They were also an important source of silver and were melted locally for jewellery. The coins made their way to the ports of the Red Sea, Egypt and northern Africa from the ports of Genoa, Trieste, Livorno and Marseille. European traders used the coins to buy precious materials from the Gulf and northern Africa which it desired – commodities such as spices, coffee, gum Arabic, indigo, pearls, and tortoise shell. The importance and the beauty of the coins saw them incorporated into local jewellery most particularly in Oman and Yemen. References Al-Jadir, S., Arab & Islamic Silver, Stacey International, 1981. Harrigan, P., ‘Tales of a Thaler’, Saudi Aramco World, January/February 2003. Hawley, R., Omani Silver, Longman, 1978. Hawley, R., Silver: The Traditional Art of Oman, Stacey International, 2000. Rajab, J.S., Silver Jewellery of Oman, Tareq Rajab Museum, 1998. Ransom, M., Silver Treasures from the Land of Sheba: Regional Yemeni Jewelry...

Antique Japanese Recycled Saki-Ori Farmer’s Vest This late 19th C recycled farmer’s vest from northern Japan was strip woven from repurposed cotton scraps in a technique known as sa...

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...

Ga`u Box necklace with silver with Turquoise inlay with coral and turquoise beads  All Tibet/  Himalaya   mid 20th century

A 19th century boomerang from Australia. Good patina and presented on a stand.

A fine Zulu head rest neck rest South Africa Raised on central pillars with geometric lozenge shaped carving all over. Measures: 22 x 14 x 5 cm approx. Period Early 20th century Ex U...

Early 20th Century Brazilian Metal Hanging Amulet 'Penca de Balangadas' – Circa 1890 Discover the captivating history behind this early 20th-century metal hanging amulet, known as '...

19th-century bronze currency bangle / Manilla with a fixed opening. Minimalist, simple design work with engraved geometrical circles and lines. This type of bracelet was used and wor...

Antique, 19th century Asian Middle Eastern collector two person wooden camel saddle with ornate brass mountings and iron reinforcements. 19th Century Midd...

This amazing nineteenth-century Ethiopian bed, personally collected in Ethiopia in the 1990's, formally belonged to the collection of Tekalegn Besapa, in Addis Ababa. This type of be...

Ethiopian Procession Cross: A Sacred Heritage and Craftsmanship. Structure and Composition: This finely crafted Ethiopian procession cross is rich in iconographic detail. Constructed from metal, likely bronze or brass, it features a complex structure with several decorative elements. - Central Part: • Madonna and Child: At the heart of the cross is a depiction of the Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus. This central image is framed within a circle adorned with openwork motifs and small inlays that appear to be precious stones or colored glass pieces. Arms of the Cross: • Angelic Musicians: Each lateral arm of the cross features an angelic musician, playing instruments and depicted in a flying position. The angels are finely detailed, with spread wings and carefully sculpted garments. • Cherub: At the apex of the cross, a cherub is depicted, a celestial being with multiple wings and surrounded by cloud-like motifs. • Bird Motifs: The lower extremities of the cross are adorned with bird motifs, likely doves, symbolizing peace and the Holy Spirit, placed within openwork circles. Base and Handle: • Engraved Base: The base of the cross, which serves as a handle, is also richly engraved with floral and geometric motifs, providing a sturdy and decorative grip for processions. History of Ethiopian Procession Crosses Origins and Evolution: Ethiopian procession crosses have a long history, dating back to the introduction of Christianity to Ethiopia in the 4th century under King Ezana. Influenced by Coptic and Byzantine traditions, these crosses evolved to adopt a distinctive style unique to Ethiopia. - Characteristics: • Style and Iconography: Ethiopian crosses...

Gorgeous handwoven silk Ikat weaving in rich magenta, gold and purple color, circa late 19th-early 20th century, Uzbekistan, Central Asia, on the ancient...

19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Intricate graphical design with a lattice pattern. This type of bracelet was worn or used by the...

Large Tibetan storage chest with traditional hand painted Dragons Tibet Wood, Iron, Paint 19th century. 27 x 59.5 x 22.5 in./ 69 x 151 x 57 Height on custom display St...

Ancient wooden stool with four feet dating to the 19th century. From Congo, Africa. Provenance: Galerie Démons et Merveilles, Paris; Private Collection, United Kingdom.

Amazing and scarce JUDAICA object, we have here one of the most touching jewish objects we had for a long time, this small silver dowry box was made in Algeria in the early 19th century, it is all covered with symbols of jewish faith and of couples, the sliding lid has 2 flanking birds with hamsa (protective hand) on each side and a flower vase in the middle. one side shows two flanking lions with a tree in the middle and the other side shows again two big and two small birds with a flower bowl in the middle, front side has a key hole and next to it there is the Hebrew inscription ס״ט״" which says Siman tov or in English "a good sign" it is taken from the wedding blessing, underneath the lock there is another inscription with the name ״עזיזה בת אברהם בן חמו״ which is the name of the bride, her father and her grandfathers name. the box is full marked a lot of times with the silversmith mark, every side of the box is marked. this box was probably ordered by the grooms family to hold the jewelry they are giving to the bride as dowry, this type of objects are rare and there are just a few of them on museum collections. DOWRY (Heb. נְדֻנְיָה), the property a wife brings to her husband at marriage; the Yiddish equivalent, nadn, is from the same root. The custom of nedunyah became clearly defined and institutionalized only in the talmudic period. In biblical times, mohar (מֹהַר), whereby the groom bought his wife from her father (Gen. 24:53; Ex. 22:15–16; Hos. 3:2), was the accepted practice. It was then customary that the groom give the bride gifts, and that she bring certain property to her husband's home upon marriage: slaves, cattle, real estate, etc. (cf. Gen. 24:59–61; 29; Judg. 1:14ff.; I Kings 9:16). Evidence of the custom of nedunyah is to be found in Tobit (7:14; 8:21) and in the Assuan papyri (Cowley, Aramaic, nos. 15, 18). Gradually, mohar was superseded by the ketubbah custom according to which the husband merely assumed the responsibility of compensation to his wife in case he divorced her: he had to pay her 200 zuzim if she had been a virgin at the time of marriage, and 100 zuzim if a widow or divorcée (see *Ketubbah). By talmudic times, the institution of nedunyah was prevalent; the father gave a dowry to the bride since the daughter was excluded from paternal inheritance. Fifty zuzim (equivalent to the worth of 180 grams of silver) was the minimum amount a father was obliged to give to his daughter (Ket. 6:5). Parents usually gave much more, according to their social standing. Community funds provided the dowry for an orphan or a very poor girl (ibid.; cf. Sh. Ar., YD 251:8). In case of her father's death, the brothers of a minor girl were obliged to give her the minimum dowry, and the court estimated how much her father would have given her above the minimum dowry. The sum was then taken out of the father's estate and given to the daughter upon majority (Ket. 6:6; 68a–69b). In the absence of such an estimate, each daughter was entitled to receive one-tenth of the value of her father's estate in money, or in valuables (Yad, Ishut, 20:4–7; Sh. Ar., EH 113:4). If the father was unable or unwilling to pay the promised dowry at the betrothal ceremony, the groom could refuse to marry his bride (Ket. 13:5; Ket. 108b–109a). Insistence on exact payment of the promised dowry, however, was frowned upon by later rabbinic authorities (Rema to Sh. Ar., EH 2:1). In certain communities it was customary for the groom's father to make a dowry contribution equal to that of the bride's father (Ket. 102b). The dowry, whether given in real estate, slaves, money, or chattel was recorded in the marriage contract (the ketubbah) and in some instances one-third or one-fifth of the actual value of the dowry was added to the sum mentioned in the ketubbah. Based upon a decree enacted by *Simeon b. Shetah (first century C.E.), the Talmud ruled that the husband and his entire property were liable for compensation as stipulated in the ketubbah, either in case he died (when she collected the sum specified in the ketubbah from the heirs) or in case he divorced his wife (Ket. 82b). For the status of the dowry and the husband's rights and obligations, see below. The rabbinic enactments (Takkanot Shum) by R. Jacob *Tam and by the rabbinic synod of the communities of Speyer, Worms, and Mainz (Germany) stipulated that if a woman died...

Congolese Textile Tetela DR Congo 19th century Measures: 68 x 41 inches (172 x 104 cm) Provenance: Ambre-Congo gallery, Brussels $5,000. A very rare ...

A Songye Male ‘Power’ Figure Open aperture to the head and stomach Fine overall patina, loss to feet Democratic Republic of Congo 19th Century Size: 23cm high - 9 ins high The ...

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...

Old And Exceptional Kipinga Throwing Knife Ngbaka Ngombe Tribe Congo Central Africa Tribe: Ngbaka / Ngombe / Bwaka Region: DR CONGO / Central African Republic Length = 43 cm Period: ...

Sometimes categorized as the fourth-phase chief blanket, this wonderful piece of Navajo textile art is well preserved and can be dated to 1890-1910. Wov...

19th century exclusive antique African Bandia Nsakara Zande war shield A top quality / Museum quality extremely rare shield !!! High quality rare war shield !!! Tribe: Bandia / Nsak...

Late 19th-early 20th century Tribal mask, West Nepal A large mask from West Nepal with a small grin and bared teeth surrounded with pink powder, faint traces of which can also be se...

A very fine French, 19th century Patinated bronze group of a Crouching Native American Indian on the lookout, in a dark brown patina and raised on a veined green marble base, by Edou...

Late 19th-early 20th century Tribal mask, West Nepal A mask from West Nepal with a rather heart shaped facial plane. There are three large iron staples, two of which may have secure...

Marroquin forged steel dagger with sheath. Beautiful koummya dagger with a sheath from the region of Morocco, circa 1870. The blade was created with forged steel, mounted in wood and brass and embellished with silver parts decorated with chiseled and engraved motifs. The dagger is curved with a tick double edge blade, the handle is ornate with silver and wood. Like swords and daggers in most cultures, the Islamic dagger...

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...

A Finely Carved Polynesian Maori Feather ‘Treasure Box’ and Cover With superb colour and patina Wood, haliotis (abalone) shell New Zealand Early ...

Fulani, Nigeria Hand-cast brass beads on a hand-woven cord 19th century Measures: 17 in. / 43 cm 8 oz. / 227 g.

Rare Vanuatu War club pierces sternum Vanuatu/New Hebrides - Art Oceania - Melanesia - Pentecost Island Museum piece!!! Vanuatu Pentecost Island Period: 19th Century ca 1800 Length: ...

A Rare and Extremely Fine South African Tsonga Prestige Staff by the ‘Baboon Master’ Depicting a Zulu elder wearing a head-ring Superb silky reddish brown patina Late 19th Century ...

A rare wicker war shield with a fine woven and dyed natural pigment patern from the Ngombe/Doko tribe from the Ubangi area DR Congo Late 19th century The shield is intense used in ba...

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...

Exceptional Rare Knife/Sword From The Luba / Luluwa /Nkutshu Tribe DR Congo - circa 1900 Tribe: Luba / Luluwa / Nkutshu A unique museum piece DR Congo Period: 19th Century - ca 1900...

This exceptional 19th-century Plains Indian roach headdress is a rare and visually striking example of traditional Native American ceremonial regalia. ...

We present you an 19th century antique Nigerian high quality bronze GOLD PLATED bracelet currency traditionally used in monetary functions ...

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...

Late 19th-early 20th century tribal guardian figure, Northwest Nepal The mere essence of a protector figure remains in this weathered fragmen...

A fine and elegant hardwood Chokwe (Angola) bench, carved all-over with geometric patterns, human and animal motifs. The front rain supported with caryatids in the form of male figu...

Two Pairs of Yoruba Edan Ogboni Figural Brass Staffs, each pair atop a stepped base, together with Segy Gallery documentation. Taller overall: 11.25" H x 5.25" W x 2.25" D. Provenanc...

A teak burl wood bowl crafted on the island of Java, Indonesia. The bowl was cut from a much larger slab of burl wood and maintains an organic shape and natural texture. It has aged ...

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...

Late 19th-early 20th century Tribal mask, West Nepal A mask from West Nepal with slanted almond shaped eyes, very small ears and an oval mouth showing carved upper and lower teeth o...

Fijian Ula throwing wooden war club of the  Ula Drisia type - Archipelago Of The Fiji Islands - Oceania - Polynesian art Country : Fiji Period: 19th Century ca 1800 Length: 40 cm A...

Antique Nepalese Butter Churn Handle. Known as a Ghurra, individually carved from a single piece of wood having different geometric forms, a circle, a rec...

A Carved Ebony Prestige Staff Depicting an Important Elder or Leader wearing a Head-Ring ‘Isicoco’ His waistband neck-ring and eyes inlaid with brass studs, his hands carved to his s...

Exceptional and rare throwing knife from the MBUGBU / BANDA people Region: Central African Republic / DR CONGO Length = 40 cm Period: 19th century-1900 Perfect condition A superb an...

This wooden statue from Siraha Salawa, a noble Nias ancestor figure from Indonesia, is a striking example of Nias artistry and cultural heritage. Carved from a single piece of wood, ...

Ancient Fiji Islands Flat Serving Bowl or Platter 19th century, made of very dense hardwood with deep patina, and expected wear on bottom. Two small opposing holes for suspension. B...

Beautiful rare Museum quality large antique bird knife of the Kota people type osele/musele onzil Tribe: Kota Country Gabon Period: Late 19th / early 20th century. Type knife : o...

Oval dance mask from Nepal with powerful expression, open eyes and oval mouth with finely carved teeth, nicely carved ears. Heavy black encrusted patina inside and out from tradition...