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Carved Tribal Art

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Technique: Carved
Modernist Dan Peoples Stool
Located in Chicago, IL
A chic modernist early 20th century Dan Peoples stool from Ivory Coast, carved from one piece of wood with a simple hourglass form, and the most wonderful p...
Category

Early 20th Century Ivorian Modern Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Antique Thai Freestanding Ceremonial Drum with Natural Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A tall antique Thai freestanding ceremonial drum from the early 20th century, with natural finish, reeded accents and circular flaring base. Born in Th...
Category

Early 20th Century Thai Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Carved Wood Miniature Baule Bush cow Mask Stand Ivory Coast Early 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Old carved miniature wood mask with traces of red and green pigment, from the Baule people of Ivory Coast, Africa. Representing a bushcow, and dating from the early 20th century. Mas...
Category

Early 20th Century Ivorian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Pair of African Nyamwezi Trough Zithers
Located in Chicago, IL
These wooden sculptures are stringed instruments known as ligombo, a form of elongated trough zither attributed to the Nyamwezi people of Tanzania and greater East Africa. Originally...
Category

20th Century Tanzanian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Important Dan N'gere Mask, Pace Primitive Provenance
Located in Sharon, CT
Superb mask with typically strong features and kaolin around the eyes. Advertised by Pace Primitive in Arts D'Afrique Noire 74. Ex. collection Al Ross (1911-20...
Category

Late 19th Century Liberian Primitive Antique Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

African Kuba Cup Bryce Holcomb Pace Primitive Provenance
By Kuba
Located in Sharon, CT
A Kuba Head as a cup. Rich dark patina. Mount included. From The Late Bryce Holcombe Collection. Bryce was the founding director of Pace Primitive, and a personal friend.
Category

Late 19th Century Congolese Tribal Antique Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Tall Slender Seated Wood Figure, Carribean Islands Mid 20th century Polynesia
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Tall slender seated wood figure with long slender legs clasped at chest, holding fruit by feet. Carribean Islands or French Polynesia, Mid 20th century It is in good condition with ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polynesian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Dayak Tribe Ironwood Bowl, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
Crafted from ironwood this Dayak tribe ceremonial bowl features a wonderful smooth texture and subtle wood patterns all around. A wonderful decorative bowl...
Category

Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Ivory Coast Zoomorphic Dance Mask, Gouro People
Located in CA, CA
A beautifully painted, stylised ritual dance mask with an assertive presence, used by the Gouro people of the Ivory Coast. The mask is in the form of an African wild dog...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ivorian Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

A Nias 'Adu Zatua' wooden ancestor sculpture
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Indonesia, Nias, 19th century H. 37.5 x W. 10 cm Sculptures like the one present are not only decorative items but are believed to be vessels that house the spirits of ancestors and are used to communicate with them. After the death of a person a wooden image or Adu Zatua was made to mediate between the human world and the spiritual realm. These kinds of figures were commissioned by noble Nias families, whereas simple and lesser quality carvings generally were found among lower class families. In this particularly fine example, the sculptor has paid careful attention to the proportions of the different parts of the body, dividing it into three main sections – the head, the torso, and the legs. The shapes are sometimes flat, round, or have notches, but all are perfectly in balance creating a certain divine tranquillity. This Adua Zatua’s ears are decorated with earrings, and it is wearing a headdress, pointing towards a chiefly provenance. In 1914 the Dutch gained complete control of the island of Nias and started spreading Protestant Christianity. Many ancestor statues...
Category

19th Century Indonesian Antique Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Lombok Tribal Tray / Bowl 'Dulang' / Small Table
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This is a large 'Dulang' from Lombok. Dulangs amid Indonesia serve a number of purposes depending on the region they originate from. In Lombok 'Dulang' Tray were used as small tables...
Category

Mid-19th Century Balinese Other Antique Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

African Primitive Wood Carving Torso Body Mask with Phallus
Located in Chiba, JP
Primitive wood carving torso with phallus (like a body mask, though no displaying hole), originally flown out from a collector of African tribal art in Japan, though its details unkn...
Category

Early 20th Century African Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Powerful Makonde Portrait Helmet Mask Lip Plug Tanzania Early 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Powerful portrait of a Makonde man with a traditional lip plug in his upper lip, high carved cheek bones in the form of a finely carved helmet mask, with attached hair on top from Ta...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tanzanian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

African Tribal Dogon Peoples (Mali) Pigment, Fiber, Hardwood Walu Antelope Mask
Located in Nottingham, GB
There are nearly eighty styles of Dogon masks, and for the most part they all utilize the use of various geometric shapes in their design, independent of the various animals they are...
Category

Early 20th Century Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Natural Fiber, Hardwood

19th Century Balinese Offering Tray / Bowl 'Dulang' with Floral Motif
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
Balinese offering tray; these trays known as "Dulangs" were used to carry offerings atop Balinese women’s heads during ceremonial processions. This 19th century "Dulang" features a f...
Category

Mid-19th Century Balinese Other Antique Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Mid-20th Century Toguna Female Anthropomo Post from Mali
Located in Atlanta, GA
An early to mid-20th century Toguna support post from the Dogon Tribe of Mali, on custom metal stand. This West African hand carved wooden bean was origin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Malian Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Iron

Bamana N'tomo mask, Mali, 20th century
Located in NICE, FR
Bamana N'tomo mask, Mali, 20th century "Generally surmounted by three to eight horns forming a comb, the N'tomoface mask refers to a moment of compulsory education given to uncircumcised young boys in certain West African societies. The mask's discreet, even absent, mouth emphasizes the behavior expected of them in their future adult life after training: controlling and measuring their words, knowing how to keep quiet, preserving secrets and enduring pain in silence." Excerpt from Masques du N'tomo, Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière Collection, Musée du Quai Branly Jacques Chirac, France. The Bambara, or Bamana, live in central and southern Mali. Their name means “unbeliever” and was given to them by the Muslims. Animists, they believe in the existence of a creator god called Ngala, who maintains the order of the universe and coexists with another androgynous god called Faro, master of the Word, who gave all qualities to mankind and makes the fruits of the earth grow. Traditional Bamana art objects are closely linked to agrarian rites. The Bamana dance these masks during initiation and circumcision ceremonies for young boys in the Ntomo society. The face, with its vertical outgrowths at the top, adopts geometric features beneath a rounded forehead, including an imposing busted nose, as the Bamana favor this organ in their statuary as it evokes sociability and clan cohesion. Indeed, during choreography, the dancer frequently touches the nose of the mask. As teaching aids for candidates, masks from societies accessible to young boys and adults, such as the N'tomo, Korè and Ci wara...
Category

1930s Malian Tribal Vintage Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Fine Konso Ancestral Figure, Ethiopia
Located in London, GB
This large figure, with a beautifully eroded surface, is a memorialisation in wood of a male Konso ancestor. Ancestral figures such as this (named 'waaka' or 'waaga') memorialise 'xh...
Category

Early 20th Century Ethiopian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

An Anthropomorphic Celt Axe God Pendant
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Central-America, Costa-Rica, Pre-Columbian Jadeite and other greenstones were utilized in a diverse array of items that served as symbols of social and political power. Among the mo...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Costa Rican Antique Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Stone

Kuba Palm Wine Bowl with Handle Geometric Motifs All Around
Located in Miami, FL
Yak milk Jar with handle, finely carved with geometric motifs all around the piece. Tribal Art from North Nepal beginning of 20th century, from the Himalaya c...
Category

20th Century Congolese Folk Art Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Ethiopian Stool with Phallic Form
Located in London, GB
Finely carved from a single piece of wood, this stool from the Sidamo region of Ethiopia displays a wonderful sculptural quality. Four cone-shaped legs support the stool's slightly-c...
Category

Early 20th Century Ethiopian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

New Guinea Asmat Large Serving Platter with Ancestor Head on top
Located in Point Richmond, CA
New Guinea, Indonesia from the Asmat people a large serving platter with ancestor head on top, crested with bird head. Scooped out inside with coating of white pigments. Outside wi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indonesian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Wood and Bound Leather Headrest. Pokot Culture, Kenya
Located in London, GB
An early example of this form of Pokot headrest. Gently curved neck support with ridged underside, with two splayed legs bound heavily with fine strips of leather. ‍Estimated Period...
Category

Mid-20th Century Kenyan Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Leather, Wood

African door in carved wood and bronze of chief Baboun, Cameroon, early 20th
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
African door in carved wood and bronze of chief Baboun, Cameroon, early 20th century Art Baboun, Cameroon, early 20th century. Unique and rare object. C...
Category

Early 20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Bronze

Early Ibibio Standing Wood Male Shrine Figure, powerful, Nigeria, Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early Ibibio standing carved wood male figure, powerful expression with hands on sides of stomach, exposed teeth and vertical raised scarification marks on sides of face. From a shr...
Category

Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Eskimo Wood Carving of a Man with Seal Coat, North Coast, 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Eskimo wood carving of a man with seal coat, North Coast, 20th century Crude carving of a man dressed in a seal coat. This miniature sculpture is shown st...
Category

20th Century American Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Kuba Ceremonial Palm Wine Cup ('Mbwoongntey'), DRC
Located in London, GB
The decorative details adorning this ceremonial cup reflected the owner’s wealth, status and influence within the Kuba Kingdom. This anthropomorphic Kuba cup ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Antique Tribal Ethiopian Ceremonial Coffee Stands
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Grouping of Ceremonial coffee stands Ethiopia Early 20th century Wood Largest: 8" high x 6" diameter (20 x 15 cm) Smallest: 6.75" x 3.50" ( 17 x 9 cm) These little known Branc...
Category

Early 20th Century Ethiopian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Nepal or Tibet Ghurra Churn Handle Carved Woven Knot, Old Worn Dark Patina
Located in Point Richmond, CA
An old carved wood Nepal, North India or other Himalayan culture butter churn handle called a ghurra. Created in the early 20th century. The handle with finely carved knots rising to...
Category

Early 20th Century Nepalese Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

An Unusual Polynesian Fighting Club of Tapered ‘Pole’ Form
Located in London, GB
An Unusual Polynesian Fighting Club of Tapered ‘Pole’ Form Decorated all over with a geometric design and ‘glyph’ type motifs Dark glossy patina, excellent colour, retaining the or...
Category

Early 19th Century Tongan Antique Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

19th Century Balinese Temple Offering Tray / Bowl 'Dulang' with Polychrome
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
Balinese offering tray; "Dulangs" served two main purpose, one purpose was to carry offerings atop woman’s heads during ceremonies. The present "Dulang" was used exclusively in temples to display offerings and features hints of turquoise polychrome at its base. This "Dulang" has faded polychrome and chipped...
Category

Mid-19th Century Balinese Other Antique Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

West African Tribal Senufo Daybed, 21st century
Located in Munich, DE
Beautiful antique African daybed. Hand-carved daybed from West Africa (Ivory Coast or Mali). The Senufo bed belongs to some of the most elegant examples of African design. Carved fro...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Malian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Ibedji Statuette – Yoruba Culture, Nigeria, circa 1930 (20th century)
Located in NICE, FR
Ibedji Statuette – Yoruba Culture, Nigeria, circa 1930 (20th century) This pair of male Ibedji statuettes originates from the Yoruba tribe in West Africa, specifically Nigeria. Amon...
Category

1920s Nigerian Tribal Vintage Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

19th Century Balinese Offering Tray / Bowl 'Dulang' with Floral Motif
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
Balinese offering tray; these trays known as "Dulangs" were used to carry offerings atop Balinese women’s heads during ceremonial processions. This 19th century "Dulang" features a f...
Category

Mid-19th Century Balinese Other Antique Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Hand-Carved Backstrap with Floral Engravings from Madura, Java, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
Hand-carved from Wood this is a wonderful example of a Backstrap Loom, an essential component of Ikat textile weaving. The present Backsrap Loom comes from the Island of Madura, off the northeastern coast of Java. The Curved section would fit around the weavers back not only providing support while they would we weave elaborate Ikat textiles but also allowing her to control the tension of the warp during weaving. In many cases husbands would craft unique carved and designed Backstrap looms for their wives and these would often be passed down through generations. The present Backstrap Loom features floral engravings.
Category

Early 20th Century Indonesian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Miniature Shrine Ladder
Located in London, GB
This early twentieth-century miniature ladder, from the Dogon culture in Mali, replicates the form of full-size granary ladder, however, unlike its larger, practical counterparts, th...
Category

Early 20th Century Malian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Pair of Vintage Middle Eastern Fibulas
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful pair of vintage Middle Eastern tribal fibulas. A fibula was used to close a woman's veil in the Middle East and Africa. Handcrafted by Berber a...
Category

Mid-20th Century African Folk Art Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Metal

Hampadong - Kalimantan Tribal Art Carved Figure - Maile with Child
Located in Hawthorne, CA
A carved wooden figure of Maile with child. A Hampadong Kalimantan carved standing sculpture by the Iban Dayak [Ot Danum Dayak] people from the interior rain forests of BORNEO. An ex...
Category

1920s Malaysian Folk Art Vintage Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Dogon Tribe Hardwood Carved Rhythm Pounder from Mali, Africa
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Museum quality Dogon tribe ironwood percussion pounder reportedly collected from a Tellem cave in the Bandiagara Escarpment in Mali. Collected in the late 1970’s with approximate age...
Category

Mid-20th Century Malian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Hardwood

Senufo - African "Trompe d’appel" - Mid 20th century - Ivory Coast
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Senufo - African "Trompe d’appel" - Mid 20th century - Ivory Coast Carved Wooden Statue ethnic furniture - wabi sabi decoration Sénoufo, Ivory Coast. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Wooden Spice Box, Tribal Engravings & Sliding Top, Nias, Indonesia, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This spice box comes for the Island of Nias, Indonesia. Dating to the early 20th Century it was crafted from a single block of wood. It features a sliding lid, has an elegant wood te...
Category

Early 20th Century Indonesian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Hardwood

Guere Mask from Cote d'Ivoire Africa with Sotheby's Sticker
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Guere wood mask with paint and fiber remnant from We people displayed on a metal stand. The We people (also known as the Krahn or Guere) are an indigenous African people that inhabit areas in nowadays eastern Liberia and western Côte d'Ivoire. Their material culture shares many aspects with the neighboring Dan tribe. Like the Dans, the We use a wide variety of masquerades, which hold important regulatory position within their small, egalitarian communities. Masks are owned by families and used by individual lineage members in contexts of social control, ritual ceremony and entertainment. This type of Guere mask, however, has a distinct fearsome character. The ferocious design with jagged facial expression, bulging tubular eyes are intended for use in mediations between community members, as visual aids during moral lessons, as well as forms of entertainment. By portraying the more frightening nature of the animal, the mask is viewed as powerful and may have been used as part of social control methods prior to the introduction of Western law systems during the colonial period. The mask on offer, based on our examination, appears to be an original one that was used natively instead of reproduction made for the tourist market. The surface presents apparently genuine patina consistent with use. The red paint that highlights the eyes and gapping mouth also appear original. There are small losses flanking the nose ridge by the eyes, extensive surface accretion, remain of some fiber tassels. The back of the mask reveals chisel marks from hand tools and importantly, stain marks that were likely from repetitive contacts from the nose of the wearer. The mask is 9" in height, and it retains an old Sotheby’s catalog...
Category

20th Century Ivorian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Mother and Child Figure. Kwere, Tanzania
Located in London, GB
This finely carved figure with a prominent sweeping hairstyle sits upright with her knees bent and holding out her child in a forward position. The surface of the figure is smooth an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tanzanian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Antique Thai Ceremonial Wooden Drum with Natural Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A tall antique Thai freestanding ceremonial wooden drum from the early 20th century, with natural finish, carved accents and circular flaring base. Create...
Category

Early 20th Century Thai Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

19th Century Balinese Offering Tray / Bowl 'Dulang' with Floral Motif
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
Balinese offering tray; these trays known as "Dulangs" were used to carry offerings atop Balinese women’s heads during ceremonial processions. This 19th century "Dulang" features a f...
Category

Mid-19th Century Balinese Other Antique Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Rare 19th Century Zulu Studded Knobkerrie, South Africa
Located in London, GB
The large, mushroom-shaped bulbous head of this rare 19th century Zulu knobkerrie from South Africa has been decorated with an array of early metal tac...
Category

Late 19th Century Tribal Antique Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Metal

Sleep Guardian or Kata Sergo Ethiopia TOTEM 1 in Solid Natural Cedar Wood
Located in Paris, FR
TOTEM 1 sleep guardian or Kata Sergo from the ethnic Gorague´, South / South West Ethiopia. Different ridges are intended to evacuate the bad vibes from the fireplace to the top h...
Category

19th Century Ethiopian Antique Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Bronze

Ciwara Bambara headdress in carved wood and basketry, Mali, Early 20th century
Located in NICE, FR
A very pleasing Ciwara crest, singularly small and accompanied by its original headdress, depicting a stylized antelope leaning on a pangolin. The antelope is ridden by a woman, and white horsehair has been added to the tips of the horns. The piece is carefully sculpted, with notches decorating the bodies of the antelope and the pangolin. Rattan, plant fiber, cowries, wood Very fine velvety mat patina, Circa 1950 An animal called Ciwara is said to have taught the Bambara how to cultivate the land, and during agrarian ceremonies, they recall the myth through the stylized representation of an antelope whose name ci wara...
Category

Early 20th Century Malian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Large Brazilian or Guyana Amazon Indigenous Macana War Club, 18th or Earlier
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A splendid and rare Amazon indigenous wamara wood Macana war-club Southern-Guyana or Northern Brazil, Wapitxana group of the Aruak peoples, 18th century, possibly earlier Measure: H. 43 cm The deep patina of the club present, and the residue on the part where it was held, attest to its great age. This unusually large Macana is decorated with several incised whitened anthropomorphic and human figures, a decoration only found on one other documented club in the British Museum, which is illustrated in: Hjalmar Stolpe, Amazon Indian...
Category

Early 18th Century Brazilian Antique Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Hardwood

Fine 19th/Early 20th Century Luba/Kusu Fetish Figure
Located in London, GB
This fine figure, from the Luba/Kusu culture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dates back to the early twentieth-century or before, to the nineteenth-century. The carved figur...
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Teak Burl Wood Bowl from Java, Indonesia, Late 19th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
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 ...
Category

Late 19th Century Indonesian Other Antique Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Teak

An elaborate collection of stone tools used by the Mapuche culture
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Mapuche Culture, Southern Chile, Pre-Columbian A collection of eleven stone tools all varying in sizes.
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chilean Antique Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Stone

Wayang Puppet Wood Carving Set, Java, Indonesia, Mid-20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This wood carving set depicts mythical characters that are popular amid "Wayang" puppet shows. "Wayang" is a type of shadow puppet show originating fr...
Category

Mid-20th Century Javanese Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Senufo Hand-Carved Wooden Ritual Flute
Located in New York, NY
Ivory Coast, African handcarved wooden flute, used for ceremonial performances. Used to evoke the spirits presence into community rituals. Beautiful decorative object, that measures ...
Category

Mid-20th Century African Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

19th Century Balinese Offering Tray / Bowl 'Dulang' with Bali Hindu Motifs
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
Balinese offering tray; these trays known as "Dulangs" were used to carry offerings atop Balinese women’s heads during ceremonial processions. This 19th century "Dulang" features a m...
Category

Mid-19th Century Balinese Other Antique Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

19th Century Balinese Offering Tray / Bowl 'Dulang'
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
Balinese offering tray; these trays known as "Dulangs" were used to carry offerings atop Balinese women’s heads during ceremonial processions. This 19th ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Balinese Other Antique Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Hand-Carved Wooden Tray / Bowl Mentawai Tribe of Indonesia, Mid-20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This hand-carved tray comes from the Mentawai tribe found on the Mentawai Islands off the west coast, Sumatra, Indonesia. They are hand-carved from a single block of wood. Sought aft...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indonesian Other Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Yoruba Ibeji Twin Figure
Located in Chicago, IL
With one of the highest rates of twin births in the world, Yoruba cultures place special social and religious significance on twins, referred to as "emi alagbara" or "powerful spirit...
Category

Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Carved Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

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