What do beads symbolize in Africa?

In Africa, beads represent a number of things. Beaded waist jewelry worn by women in West Africa symbolize sensuality, fertility, femininity, wealth and spiritual health. Some African tribes associate different bead colors with levels of social standing or power. Shop a selection of bead jewelry on 1stDibs.

What is Zulu beadwork?

Zulu beadwork is designed to tell a story and is steeped in cultural meaning and tradition. This art uses decorative geometrical designs and colors to convey messages. Beadwork is traditionally done by women and is often used to express feelings and relationships. On 1stDibs, find a variety of original artwork from top artists.

African art is painting, sculptures, masks or installations that originate from the African continent. Masquerade, metalwork, sculpture, architecture, fiber art and dance are particularly popular artistic expressions in Africa. Many of these art forms are defined by expressive individualism, an emphasis on the human figure and visual abstraction.

What is African art called?

African art is simply called African art. Sculpture, pottery, painting, rock art and other works of visual art native to Africa all fall under the umbrella of African art (performance art that originates in Africa will also be called African art). On 1stDibs, there is an exquisite range of African art to choose from.

What are some characteristics of African art?

One of the key characteristics of African art is that it tends to emphasize emotion over realism, so pieces often don't closely resemble their animal or human subjects. In addition, traditional African artists tend to work in three-dimensional formats like sculptures rather than painting or drawing. Also, many pieces have a spiritual meaning to the creators and their cultures. On 1stDibs, shop a range of African art from some of the world's top sellers.

What is traditional African wooden art?

Traditional African wooden art is a term that describes pieces made by artists in Africa using techniques that have been passed down through generations. Examples include masks, figurines and sculptures depicting human and animal figures. Find a collection of traditional African art on 1stDibs.

What are carved wood figures in African art?

Carved African wood figurines were typically spiritual in nature and were primarily in human form. The wood figurines were carved using ebony, teak, mahogany and iron wood. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic African wood figurines from some of the world’s top sellers.

African Beaded Art

Nigerian Beaded Chair

African Beaded Art For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic piece of African beaded art available at 1stDibs. An item from our selection of African beaded art — often made from beads, trimming and wood — can elevate any home. If you’re shopping for a choice in our collection of African beaded art, we have 103 options in-stock, while there are 3 modern editions to choose from as well. Your living room may not be complete without an object in our assortment of African beaded art — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. An option in this array of African beaded art, designed in the folk art style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. You’ll likely find more than one piece of African beaded art that is appealing in its simplicity, but Csaba Markus, Cameroon Tribe and Yoruba People produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is an African Beaded Art?

A piece of African beaded art can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $1,648, while the lowest priced sells for $48 and the highest can go for as much as $250,000.

Questions About African Beaded Art

What do beads symbolize in Africa?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
In Africa, beads represent a number of things. Beaded waist jewelry worn by women in West Africa symbolize sensuality, fertility, femininity, wealth and spiritual health. Some African tribes associate different bead colors with levels of social standing or power. Shop a selection of bead jewelry on 1stDibs.
What is Zulu beadwork?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Zulu beadwork is designed to tell a story and is steeped in cultural meaning and tradition. This art uses decorative geometrical designs and colors to convey messages. Beadwork is traditionally done by women and is often used to express feelings and relationships. On 1stDibs, find a variety of original artwork from top artists.
What is African art?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
African art is painting, sculptures, masks or installations that originate from the African continent. Masquerade, metalwork, sculpture, architecture, fiber art and dance are particularly popular artistic expressions in Africa. Many of these art forms are defined by expressive individualism, an emphasis on the human figure and visual abstraction.
What is African art called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
African art is simply called African art. Sculpture, pottery, painting, rock art and other works of visual art native to Africa all fall under the umbrella of African art (performance art that originates in Africa will also be called African art). On 1stDibs, there is an exquisite range of African art to choose from.
What are some characteristics of African art?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023
One of the key characteristics of African art is that it tends to emphasize emotion over realism, so pieces often don't closely resemble their animal or human subjects. In addition, traditional African artists tend to work in three-dimensional formats like sculptures rather than painting or drawing. Also, many pieces have a spiritual meaning to the creators and their cultures. On 1stDibs, shop a range of African art from some of the world's top sellers.
What is traditional African wooden art?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
Traditional African wooden art is a term that describes pieces made by artists in Africa using techniques that have been passed down through generations. Examples include masks, figurines and sculptures depicting human and animal figures. Find a collection of traditional African art on 1stDibs.
What are carved wood figures in African art?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Carved African wood figurines were typically spiritual in nature and were primarily in human form. The wood figurines were carved using ebony, teak, mahogany and iron wood. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic African wood figurines from some of the world’s top sellers.

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