Taureg Peoples, '5' Iron Hoe Currencies - African Tribal Art

Early 20th century Mangbetu chief's pot, from DR Congo, a distinctive and beautiful anthropomorphic sculpture. This style of terracotta pot m...

20th c., Pacific Northwest, a large stacked stone Inuit Peoples Inuksuk in the form of a human, on a polished stone base. The underside of the stacked stones are polished while the t...

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...

Leslie Thornton (British, 1925-2016), "History of Printing", no signature observed, mounted on wood plinth. An arresting and fascinating piece, this tall floor sculpture...

20th c., a high quality pair of demilune columnar form stone bookends, unmarked. Skillfully carved beige limestone with a large number of spiral shell gastropods, nautiloids, and other fossils polished to show off the beauty of the fossils. There are natural streaks of dark and light limestone, orange iron oxide, and crystalline calcite in the shells. The stone contains a large amount of calcite (or aragonite) with the remainder made of impurities such as dolomite, quartz or silicates, clay, iron oxides, and rock particles of many kinds. These are of lovely quality and are fascinating to look at. As they are cut from the same piece, the fossils match up when both bookends are placed together and the corresponding portion of fossils can be seen on the opposite interior vertical plane. Dimensions: 7"h x 5.75"w x 2.75"d (each half) Condition: Good, a few scratches and nicks on base, attractive appearance. Provenance: A Private Collection: The Sherry Netherland...

After Christophe Fratin (French 1801-1864), a majestic 12 point stag in brown patinated cast bronze, modeled with head turned to towards hind, inscribed "FRATIN", and mounted to a re...

Hoe-Shaped Currency "Mbili Ngbaka," Ngbaka, D.R. Congo 20th century Iron, accumulation 16 x 7 in. / 41 x 18 cm Height on custom display stand: 18.25 in. / 46 cm This interesting type of iron currency was used for major transactions such as dowry payments. The two wings added to the lower tips of the hoe underline the non-utilitarian character of this type of currency (Ballarini, "The Perfect Form...

Extra Large Curved Hoe Currency Angas, Nigeria Early 20th century Iron 20.5 x 16 in. / 52 x 41 cm Height on custom display stand: 25 in. / 64 cm Weight: 7.2 pounds / 3.3 kg Combined weight with base: 14.3 pounds / 6.5 kg The large currency forms are comprised of a heavy sheet of iron forged into the shape of a curved hoe. They were customary gifts for a bride’s father as well as having a function during wedding celebrations (Ballarini, The Perfect Form...

Extra Large Curved Hoe Currency Angas, Nigeria Early 20th century Iron 25.25 x 17.5 in. / 64 x 44 cm Height on custom display stand: 29.75 in. / 76 cm Weight: 12.8 pounds / 5.8 kg Combined weight with base: 20.6 pounds / 9.3 kg The large currency forms are comprised of a heavy sheet of iron forged into the shape of a curved hoe. They were customary gifts for a bride’s father as well as having a function during wedding celebrations (Ballarini, The Perfect Form...

Extra Large Curved Hoe currency Angas, Nigeria Early 20th century Iron Measures: 29.5 x 20.5 in. / 75 x 52 cm Height on custom display stand: 33.25 in. / 84 cm Weight: 20.6 pounds / 9.34 kg Combined weight with base: 43.8 pounds / 19.9 kg The large currency forms are comprised of a heavy sheet of iron forged into the shape of a curved hoe. They were customary gifts for a bride’s father as well as having a function during wedding celebrations (Ballarini, The Perfect Form...

A fantastically hand-crafted piece by the Kota (or Bakota) tribe who are located in the northeastern region of Gabon. This figure, which is a Mahongwe reliquary figure as exhibited with its truncated almond-shaped face, is made of wound copper, hammered brass and wood. Reliquary figures were used as guardians to protect the revered bones of venerated family ancestors and leaders and ward off unwanted spirits. These figures are meant to embody intense powers and were also commonly used in communal rites and ritual performances. This particular piece came from an American collector who traveled the African continent and collected African artifacts for over 50 years. This piece has a beautiful, organically aged patina acquired naturally over time and use. It is mounted on a custom wooden display stand. We believe it dates back to the early to mid-1900s but could be older. We are listing as 20th century because we did not have it appraised. This African Tribal Statue Osseyba or Reliquary Figure Kota (Bakota) Mohongwe Peoples decorative art would clearly stand out as part of a collection or by itself in any setting. Truly unique, eye-catching and engaging. Dimensions on stand: 25 3/4" High, 7" Wide, 5 1/2" Deep Kota Reliquary...

Tribal African Currency.