Illinois - Primitives

Early 18th century Italian carved and dovetailed walnut alms box, circa 1725 Large dovetails and old handwrought nails give this small scale box a hea...

This wooden sculpture embodies hyper-verticality, a hallmark of many African sculptural traditions. Its elongated form eschews anatomical realism, instead striving to evoke a presenc...

Large openwork crest mounted upon a woven basketry cap. The large, square decorative panel bears a central reptilian or stylized crocodile depiction with alternating squared painted ...

Beautifully stylized figurine with a great balance of harmony stood, portraying the inner world's beauty through pure beauty. This Valuable unique art piece is a great chance to brin...

Very important “Nwantamtay” dance African mask, consisting of three sections: The upper in plain rectangular shape surmounted by a crescent shape moon, the middle with beautiful geometric triangles in black bitumen and white kaolin, surrounding a red cruciform in the centre of remarkable contrasting colors, and the lower part or face inscribed in a circular space that inspired numbered great artists like Joan Miro, Picasso and Henry Moore of a very strongly solar symbolism, with a projecting protuberance emanating from the forehead like a sculpted bird beak, that descents toward the mouth. Concentric eyes harmonize with the circular mouth, both with of elegant proportions. The whole mask exudes a supreme harmony and perfect balance rarely seen in this pieces. The back-side presents nice ware that attested the ancient origin and traces of animistic ceremonies as the use of animal blood residues. The painting of brown bitumen or cola, the natural colorants in red and ocher tones and the white kaolin are original and do not show any repainted or restored areas, giving a freshness rarely seen in old pieces. This exceptional mask Bwa, of the Hound`e Region in Burkina-Fasso, was used it the transit ceremonies and funerals manifesting the presence of “Do”, name given to their God sons, protectors and powerful spirits. The round face also represents an owl, the curving beak of the bird plants a seed into the sun, like a female sexual vulva being fecundated by the male organ; the eternal symbol of Ying and Yang, masculine and feminine, and the quest of life and death. This mask of Primitive facture can be compared to the one in the celebrated Verite Collection (this one being larger) sold in Paris at the Hotel Drouot, Saturday June 17, Lot 59, for 80,000 Euros and remarkably stands out from the Pierre and Tannia Matisse sold in Sotheby’s, New York in May 13, 2011. Another similar piece was published in: “Arman et l’art africain...

A beautiful American splint oak gathering basket with woven twig handle. The charming basket has a tight weave and would be charming as a decorative or functional piece. USA, Early ...

This is a great looking extremely large early 20th century wicker mill basket. Great condition and sturdy. It is slightly leaning to one side but al...

A fantastic very large scale 18th century Spanish dough bowl - or trough, carved from a single tree trunk. Perfect by a fireplace to house kindling, or filled with an assortment of c...

Handwoven African basket made from natural plant fibers, featuring a tightly constructed structure and bold geometric patterning. The surface is composed of dyed reeds in rich tones ...

A large American splint oak gathering basket with woven twig handle. The charming basket has a tight weave and would be charming as a decorative or functional piece. USA, Early 20th...

Early 20th century woven Chinese willow baskets. These beautifully shaped hand woven basket were originally used in the kitchen and gardens.

An early 20th-century French grape harvesting basket, skillfully handwoven from willow with a robust, time-worn presence. Originating from the vineyards of rural France, this basket ...