Hand-Crafted Tribal Art

Originally collected in the Solomon Islands in 1938, this one of a kind treasure from the south pacific comes from a private oceanic collection. This is a Solomon Islands Santa Cruz hand carved figure called a Duka, circa 1930s. It was carved in an extremely hard native wood and features a finely carved, unusual extended conical head, a handwoven loin cloth and turmeric encrustation. For your convenience, many of our photographs were taken in natural day light which accurately illuminate surface areas depicting original dark patina that you would expect from an important early carving such as this one. We will include a complimentary custom wood display base that you see photographed. Dimensions: 21.25 inches high Provenance: collected in l938 and originally acquired by a visiting French collecting tourist in the Solomon Islands then to dealer and Texas collector and to our private collection in year 2000 so could have been a specially crafted fine 1930s tourist sculpture piece for the visiting French tourist. History: Duka sculpture from Nendo Island, politically part of the Solomon Islands, is distinctive, and only a limited number of works have been documented. The conical extension at the back of the head represents a man's hairstyle. Called abe, its construction and shape was a symbol of wealth and high social status, and for older men, it also served the practical purpose of covering bald spots. All Nendo figure refer to deities or supernatural beings (Ellis: 2009, pp. 78-85) Auction sale: Bonhams Auctions April 28, 2015 sale. Exceptional Lime Container...

An exceptional set of twenty-one stone arrowheads, discovered in Wisconsin's Waukesha County and framed within a 19th-century faux grain painted shadowbox, these arrowheads not only ...

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/...

This ceremonial headdress was handmade from a single piece of wood by the skillful hands of a member of the Bamana tribe originating from Mali, West Africa. It was brought to The Net...

Nice Vintage Asian Indian ethnic Tibetan Silver coral Necklace Ladakh Typical Ladakh ethnic Himalayan Tibetan Traditional necklace 850 grade silver with coral beads Conditi...

Native American Antique Beaded Gauntlets Buck skin Gauntlets Finely beaded with floral design probably Cree Period Early 20th century  

This is the piece that makes for a great conversation and adds depth to many interiors. Authentic zebra skin table in very good condition and ready for any room; 34" diameter - makes...

Vintage American Carved wood Folk Art Bison Decorative Antiques Décor Finely executed Folk art carving of a Bison in heavy wood Vintage Circa 1940`s or earlier Conditio...

Early to mid-20th century silver repoussé bracelet, China A beautifully made silver repoussé bracelet from China, with the Shòu symbol for long life...

19th century brass pendant on yellow multi-strand beaded necklace, Naga, India A graceful necklace of small yellow glass trade beads bead...

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 an...

Ashanti cast bronze ceremonial staff top in the shape of a hoe with 3 cast turtles, from Ghana. It is in good condition with a deep patina and polish from traditional use, appropria...

Set of 4 Plains Tribe American Flag Motif Ceremonial Beadwork Strips  USA, circa 1900s A rare collection of four Plains Tribe American Flag motif ceremonial beadwork strips dating ba...

Large Early Papua New Guinea Carved Coconut Scoop or Spoon with Figure Scoop is 3 x 4 3/4 x 4 3/4", on custom wood and metal base total height 7 1/2 inches. Large carved expressive f...

Early to mid-20th century bamboo rooster effigy, Terai, Nepal. A charming rooster made from the root of a bamboo from the Rai people of Terai, Nepal. He stands 8" high and his form ...

An original Zulu Shield made of Zebra Hide and lashed with woven leather. The inside back is made of wood, and handle portion was cured, covered and painted red - there are some con...

Simple and beautiful handwoven African table runner or wall hanging art depicting a series of huts and lions. The item can be used as a table runner or hung as a primitive wall art....

Ancient Indus Valley cup bearer Fertility figurine Circa (2800-2600 BC). A rare female pottery cup bearer figurine in terracotta with pointed facial features and applied diamond sha...

Early hardwood Mexican mask, representing a man with moustache and beard with curly hair on forehead. Heavy staining and wear inside from traditional use, faint traces of pigments. ...

Group of three pieces. Two old used finely wrapped basketry enclosed coconut containers and one cup from the island of Toraja, Indonesia. The tall one has a flat wood stopper with ...

Old well used tall rice container carved from bamboo, with wood top from the island of Toraja, Indonesia. Early to mid 20th century or earlier, with deep dark patina from traditiona...

Large Vintage Native American South West style Coral turquoise Necklace A double string of Large high quality natural red coral beads with turquoise and natural elongated pearls Vint...

Prestige open top basket Sukuma People (?) Tanzania Circa 1900 Coiled and woven basketry, natural fibers and dye 8 x 6 1/2 inches (21 x 16.5 cm) Provenance: ex private collection U...

Early Papua New Guinea abstract hook figure or mask with two opposing hooks, and central looped design, Sepik River area. Some chips missing to central loops. Small hole at top for s...

A Rare Large Antique Jambiya Dagger with highly ornate silver work with added gold gilding A superb example of a middle eastern Jambiya Height 3...

An exceptionally large Akha Tribe woven silver bracelet with spiral design. This Tribal bracelet encompasses tradition Hill tribe silversmithing techniques ...

It stands as a collector's piece, representing the richness of African art. A massive wooden, handcrafted Baule mask, used in tribal dances and various traditional ceremonies. The ma...

A Pre Columbian Jadeite Axe God pendant from the Guanacaste/Nicoya region of Costa Rica Circa. 800 to 1200 AD. The axe god pendant of highly stylized Human form drilled through the ...

Vintage Asian Indian Silver Bracelet Beautiful cuff bracelet with pierced and pearl shaped edge design High grade silver Width 4 cm weight ...

Vintage Ethnic Himalayan Turquoise Coral Necklace A beautiful necklace of large Tibetan Turquoise beads interspersed with natural red coral beads with silver clasp Period 2nd half ...

Early Papua New Guinea Sepik tightly woven raffia mask from a talipun bride price currency piece. Old very encrusted surface. Areas of red and other pigments. Wonderful heart shaped...

A pair of West African incised iron and copper wire axe form currency pieces. On custom mounts. In the form of a ritual axe, which in many parts of Africa was carried over the shoul...

Fine rare Antique Indian Hindu Mughal style Jade bracelet Period early 20th century Fine quality celadon type jade decorated with silver and semi precious stones Condition: Fine...

This Dayak Tribal Baby Carrier from Kalimantan, Borneo, is a stunning example of traditional indigenous craftsmanship. Made from a combination of beads, rattan, and wood, this carrie...

A beautifully patined Dogon head sculpture. Because of its natural wear perhaps even being more abstract and natural. As African art inspired the European modernist movement their ge...

Early 20th-century brass or copper alloy with higher nickel content. Bracelet in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Turned design with rectangular shapes and carved swirling patterns...

Late 19th or early 20th-century brass or copper alloy with higher nickel content. Bracelet in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Pierced design with rectangular shapes and carved swi...

Traditionally, Kifwebe masks were created and worn by members of the secret masking society, Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe, of the Luba and the Songye People living in the central part of the Co...

This elaborate Janus statue is a rare example of an Ibibio free-standing figure to recall a well-defined ancestor in what seems a European outfit .The Ibibios lend supernatural power...

A hand modelled statue of a male coca chewer figure , known as a Coquero, wearing a sash sitting upon a bench,  the coca quid in his right cheek, with black negative resist design Pr...

Pre Columbian Colima Dog Ancient West Mexico Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima Ancient Mexico C 200 BC –400 AD A attractive seated Colima dog v...

Large Vintage Native American beaded Blanket Fine large wool blanket with finely executed beadwork strip on buckskin with satin detail ...

Maya Poly-chrome painted pottery bowl Guatemala/ central America late Classic period, circa A.D. 550-950, A  bowl of rounded  bottom circular form,  painted with a frieze of  monkey...

Carved wood Akuaba, sometimes known as an Ashanti doll or a Fanti doll. Untouched condition with a beautiful natural age-related patina. Akua'ba (sometim...

Museum quality Southern Arapaho (Hinono’ei) Native American Plains Indian leggings circa 1880s. Constructed of dyed native tanned hide with viridian green dye and ochre yellow embel...

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...

Very beautiful and well-preserved vintage terracotta vessel with removable lid from the Congo region, Bakongo ethnic group. The fine decoration is partly engraved, but also modeled ...

Large Pre Columbian  INCA / Early Colonial period  Wood Kero    A superb Large Inca Kero cup profusely carved in the mosaic style with a image of the Inca or...

A well crafted wooden Folk Art Mortar and Pestle. The piece is used for crushing everything from herbs and spices, to medicines. While the piece is practical, the wooden craftsmans...

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...

Sepik Turtle stool Head Rest Oceanic Polynesian Australian A cute small stool or Headrest carved in the form of a turtle from the Sepik region of Papua new Guinea A beautiful objec...

Moroccan Berber hand-carved wooden sugar hammer "Deggaga". Handcrafted by the Berber women of Morocco, hand-carved and hand painted wood with tribal desig...

Native American Antique Pima Basket with bird or eagle motive Vintage Pima early 20th century Willow and Devils Claw Basket or Tray, Width 9 inches...

Beautiful Vintage Italian multi strand Seed coral pearl necklace Real Italian salmon red Coral imitation pearl and black malachite Italian Peri...

Bamileke headdress, originating from the Bamileke ethnic group in Cameroon, is ceremonial and symbolic artifacts used in traditional ceremonies and rituals. It is crafted using natur...

Mid-20th Century Silver Khamsa and Copper Earrings by Jewels of Santa Fe/Marrakesh A pair of earrings made by Jewels with rural Moroccan village pendants with three small khamsas, h...

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Silver Charm earrings by Jewels of Santa Fe/Marrakesh A pair of earrings made by Jewels with rare silver charms from the Ida ou Nadif people living in the ...

Antique Ethnic Artifact Sepik River Cassowary Bone from Papua New Guinea For many groups in Papua New Guinea, bone was an important medium for making tools of all types. This artifact is made from leg bone of a cassowary, a large, flightless, and extremely dangerous, bird. Cassowaries also play an important role in the mythology of groups in the Sepik River area. Though no longer used these bone artifacts are still used ceremonially. They often play important roles in male initiation and other rituals. They are also worn as personal adornment by tucking them into a band of braided fibers worn around the upper arm. Antique Ethnic Bone Cassowary Artifact with minimal carving and incised design confined to the joint end. A small hole has been drilled through from both sides of the top and presumably for the threading of a cord. The bone has been partially divided near the top and to form two prongs that project down the back of the dagger possibly allowing the user to wear is tuck into a waist band or belt. Origin Papua New Guinea Maprik Dist Area From the Art Collection of Marian and John Scott, acquired in 1962. Similar items are in display in the Timothy S. Y. Lam Museum of Anthropology. Purchased from the amazing private collection of Mark Lissauer who spent his life collecting niche ethnographic pieces. About Mark Lissauer: Mark Lissauer spent forty years travelling abroad for months at a time collecting ethnographic artefacts primarily from New Guinea and the islands of the West Pacific, and from Asia and Himalayan countries. Fluent in five languages and having in the course of business travelled to more than forty countries, Mark is well-known to museums and art-collectors around the world for his long career and his interesting and diverse collection of rare ethnographic material. Mark knows the origin and symbolism of each piece. Through extensive research and more than ninety trips around the globe, Mark familiarised himself with the traditions of the various cultures he visited in order to understand the meaning of each object to its region and tribe. His home has a specialist library and several rooms are filled with tribal carvings, textiles and ethnographica. He acquired his first tribal piece in 1948 during a business trip to Milne Bay, New Guinea, and has since documented the acquisition of some 35,000 items. Several thousands of these have been sold to important private collections and museums worldwide, including the Rockefeller Museum, the British Museum and the Musée National des Arts d’Afrique et d’Océanie, now incorporated into the Louvre Museum. Estimator certificate of authenticity by Wayne Heathcote Tribal Art Dealer and Expert. Heathcote has a flash gallery in Brussels, where much of the tribal art business is centred, and is an expert at Sotheby's tribal art sale...