African Folk Art
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Place of Origin: African
African Seated Luba Figure
Located in Chicago, IL
Artisans from the Luba tribe were renowned for the organic flow of their carving style. This example clearly shows the smooth transition from aspect to aspect, maintaining a singular...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Senufo "Wanyugo" Firespitter Helmet Mask, 19th C.
Located in Astoria, NY
Senufo "Wanyugo" Firespitter Helmet Mask, 19th century, with double-sided mythical beasts, mounted on patinated black metal stand. 20" H x 27" W x 12" D. Provenance: From a 35 East 7...
Category
19th Century Tribal Antique African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Important and Rare Igbo Prestige Stool
Located in London, GB
This large, rare Igbo title stool from Nigeria displays a wonderful sculptural form.
The circular seat and base are connected by a series of beautifully curved supporting legs, whi...
Category
20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Finely Woven Tutsi Grass Fibre Screen (
Inyeqamo
), Rwanda
Located in London, GB
Rare to find, screens such as this would have been rolled down to separate the sleeping area and alcove in a traditional Tutsi household. The weaving, made from fine strands of grass...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber
Yoruba Beaded Sash, c. 1950
Located in Chicago, IL
This intricately-constructed colorful train was painstakingly created by Yoruba artisans in Nigeria in the mid-20th century. Recent designs such as this were based upon sashes that s...
Category
Mid-20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Shell, Fabric, Beads
Djerma Painted Water Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
The Djerma people of Niger are well-known for their gracefully shaped and delicately painted water containers. The surface paintings are applied after firing with all natural pigment...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Early 20th Century Reclining Lobi Backrest With Two Legs
Located in London, GB
With a low seat supported by two splayed legs, this Lobi backrest from Burkina Faso exhibits a wonderful form with a long, reclining back support. Throughout, the surface of the piec...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Nigerian Nupe Vessel Support
By Nupe
Located in Chicago, IL
The Nupe people of Nigeria were touted as some of the finest ceramicists in Africa. Everyday objects like this elegant, cylindrical vessel support received detailed attention. This f...
Category
Early 20th Century Primitive African Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Fine 1950
s Mbuti Bark Cloth With Biomorphic Motifs
Located in London, GB
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the asymmetric, spontaneous and animated patterns of bark cloths made by Mbuti women for dances, festivities and coming-of-age ceremonies ref...
Category
1950s Tribal Vintage African Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber
Helmet Crest Ngoin Mask from Cameroon Africa
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Helmet Crest mask is categorized as a “Babanki” style Ngoin mask from Northwestern provinces of Cameroon circa first half of 20th century. In part of highland area called “Camer...
Category
20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Senufo Locking Currency Bracelet, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Time honored texture and form define this Senufo sculptural object. The abstract etchings were achieved through a process known as scarification. The artisan meticulously traced and ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique African Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Decorative Antelope Horn Brush
Located in Queens, NY
Large decorative African brush with a black antelope horn handle and thin red straw bristles.
Category
20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Horn
19th Century Akan
Cast From Life
Beetle Gold Weight, Ghana
Located in London, GB
Every detail and feature of the beetle has been finely preserved in bronze, from its tiny claws to the pattern of striations on the insect's shell. Having been 'cast from life' by an Akan gold...
Category
19th Century Tribal Antique African Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
Carved bust of a tribeswoman
Located in Cheshire, GB
Finely carved wooden bust of a striking tribeswoman figure carved from an exotic hardwood with a rich patina free standing.
Dimensions
Height 22 Inches
Width 13 Inches
Depth 17 Inches
Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
$7,440 Sale Price
20% Off
Fine Mid-Twentieth Century Mother and Child Figure
Located in London, GB
This beautiful mid-twentieth century figurative sculpture depicts a mother, crowned with a sweeping double-parted coiffure, holding her child at her side. Multiple strands of glass b...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood, Beads
Terracotta Bura Spirit Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Sometimes called a "Bura bell" due to its shape, this sculptural terra cotta object was part of the Bura tribe's burial ritual. Buried with its flared mouth facing down, this cylindrical storage...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Naive Ethiopian Painting for the 79th Anniversary Italo-Ethiopian War in 1975
Located in Budapest, Budapest
Mengistu Haile Mariam and other Generals looking at the celebrators
oil on canvas painting, 90 x 190 cm
with Ge'ez language inscriptions.
Category
1970s Folk Art Vintage African Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
$9,492 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-Twentieth Century Headrest in Animal-Like Form
Located in London, GB
This large mid-twentieth century headrest, carved from a single piece of wood, comes from the Dinka culture in South Sudan. With multiple upright supports, the headrest displays a wo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Dance mask, Batcham, Cameroon. 20th century.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Dance mask/ sculpture. Known as a Batcham Mask and has its origin in grasslands of Cameroon. Carved wood. 20th century.
With a few flaws and repairs.
Category
20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Petite African Redware Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite hand-formed vessel bears a richly textured surface of worn red clay slip and dark smoke marks. Likely intended for everyday use, the simple bottle-form vessel reflects th...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Primitive Antique African Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Wooden Head of an Ooni of Ile-Ife, Yoruba People, Nigeria, circa 1930s
By Yoruba People
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Wooden head of an Ooni of Ile-Ife, Yoruba People, Nigeria, circa 1930s.
The Ooni is the traditional ruler of Ile-Ife. The Nigerian town is seen as the cradle of the Yoruba people.
The number is the inventory number from Lehigh University.
Exhibited: The Lehigh University - Art Galleries permanent collection.
Provenance: The collection of Dr and Mrs John E. Swanson.
Dr John Swanson and his wife Marian lived from 1966 - 1981 in Lagos, Nigeria where Dr Swanson was the Advisor to the National Universities Commission and later on the Chief Planning Officer of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
During their time in Africa the Swansons started to collect African art. In 1973 a part of their collection, circa 120 pieces went on loan to The Pennsylvania State University Museum of Art, where the remained until 1978.
In 1981 Dr Swanson passed away and his wife Marian never returned to Africa.
In 1982 Mrs Swanson lent 130 pieces to the Lehigh University Art Gallery where they remained until 1987. A few pieces were also lent to Lafayette College...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
African statue Senoufo Horserider stylised figure , Ivory Coast C 1950s
Located in Paris, FR
Statue of a rider on his mount from among the Senufo tribe settled in the north of Côte d'Ivoire. Carved from dense wood. beautiful patina. The statue has a custom made acrylic base....
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Shell, Raffia, Acrylic, Wood, Carbon Fiber
Hand Carved Wood Cone from Ethiopia, Mid-20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A single piece of solid mango wood, hand carved into a standing cone, circa 1960. Use it as door stoppers, or in a group for an eye-catching accent in any rustic or eclectic decor, i...
Category
1960s Tribal Vintage African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
$200 Sale Price
50% Off
Fine Female
Biteki
Figure (Ex Romy Rey Collection)
Located in London, GB
This beautifully carved 'Biteki' figure, from the Yaka culture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, depicts a female crowned with a large, abstracted coiffure. The figure exhibit...
Category
20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
South African Tribal Carved Wooden Figure of Naked Lady by G. Tandi, circa 1960s
Located in Richmond, Surrey
South African Tribal carved wooden figure of naked lady by G. Tandi, circa 1960s.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage African Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
Engraved brass statuette - mid-XXth african tribal art
Located in Argenteuil, IDF
Beautiful small cast brass statuette with many finely engraved details on the face, torso, loincloth, and shield. Pierced ears with earrings.
20th century African art
Approximately m...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Rare Raffia Fibre Pygmy Baby Sling or Carrier, DRC
Located in London, GB
This baby sling or carrier from the equatorial forest region of north-eastern DRC has an amazing contemporary appearance.
The carrier is made from multiple strands of twisted and kn...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Raffia
1930
s - 1940
s Woven Beer Pot Cover, Cameroon
Located in London, GB
Beautifully decorated covers such as this were traditionally placed over large earthen vessels of local brew, with the intricacy of their designs reflecting the significance of the v...
Category
20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber, Beads
Fang Kefwebi Mask
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a Fang Tribal Mask.
Category
20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
$880 Sale Price
20% Off
1960
s Himba Head Adornment
Located in London, GB
The Himba of Northern Namibia are immediately recognisable by their distinctive hairstyles, which are determined by their age, gender and marital status. Both Himba men and women wea...
Category
1960s Tribal Vintage African Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber, Beads
Ibibio Anthropomorphic Standing Male Janus Figure, Nigeria
Located in Leuven , BE
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...
Category
20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Carved Aftican Wood Sculpture from Togo
Located in New York, NY
Elegant, carved wood sculpture representing the human figure from Togo, Africa.
A large, dramatic piece for a tribal art collection and creating a rare, unique and special presence.
Category
19th Century Primitive Antique African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Nigerian Nupe Gourd-Form Water Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Inspired by the natural world, Nupe ceramicists fired this water vessel in the shape of a gourd. The vessel's varied surface textures and colors come from its functional design. The ...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
African Bwa leper mask Burkina Fasso 20em S
Located in Paris, FR
Bwa mask from Burkina Fasso
Burkina Faso, Black Volta River region
Culture: Bwa peoples
Provenance: Private Swedish collection
Bwa plank masks are conceive...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Bamileke Storage Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Like other African everyday ceramics, Bamileke storage pots are revered for their simple forms yet astonishing beauty. Each is hand shaped and fired in the open. They are generally s...
Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Algerian Brass Hanukkah Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Antique Hanukkah lamp, cast brass, rivets, Algeria, circa 1880.
Crescent-shaped back plate, with eight gates, a vase with flowers, apertures in veget...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique African Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Rare Abstract Modernist Morrocan Wool Rug, Artisanat
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare abstract modernist Moroccan wool rug, Artisanat. original label. Amazing colors and design, some low spots to pile, also minor wear, white knot ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern African Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Wooden Head of a Wife of an Ooni of Ile-Ife, Yoruba People, Nigeria, circa 1930s
By Yoruba People
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Wooden head of a wife of an Ooni of Ile-Ife, Yoruba People, Nigeria, circa 1930s.
The Ooni is the traditional ruler of Ile-Ife. The Nigerian town is seen as the cradle of the Yoruba people.
The number is the inventory number from Lehigh University.
Exhibited: The Lehigh University - Art Galleries permanent collection.
Provenance: The collection of Dr and Mrs John E. Swanson.
Dr John Swanson and his wife Marian lived from 1966-1981 in Lagos, Nigeria where Dr Swanson was the Advisor to the National Universities Commission and later on the Chief Planning Officer of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
During their time in Africa the Swansons started to collect African art. In 1973 a part of their collection, circa 120 pieces went on loan to The Pennsylvania State University Museum of Art, where the remained until 1978.
In 1981 Dr Swanson passed away and his wife Marian never returned to Africa.
In 1982 Mrs Swanson lent 130 pieces to the Lehigh University Art Gallery where they remained until 1987. A few pieces were also lent to Lafayette College...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Mbole Yela Face mask with original Raphia and Cloth
Located in Leuven , BE
This rare, almost circular-shaped masks, belongs to the Ekanga secret society and would have been kept in baskets at the heart of their sanctuaries. The minimalist style and the whit...
Category
1920s Vintage African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Baga a-Bamp Bird Headdress with Canoe
Located in Chicago, IL
This graceful sculpture of a long-necked bird is a headdress known as "a-Bamp," worn during ritual masquerades of Baga adolescents in Guinea. With strong themes of defiance, these ma...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Female Caryatid standing Figure on a circular base, DRC
Located in Leuven , BE
A standing female figure with prominent breasts below a columnar neck resting between broad shoulders that lead to elongated arms which bend at the elbows to support the seat above. ...
Category
20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Bura Spirit Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Sometimes called a "Bura bell" due to its shape, this sculptural terracotta form would have been a critical component of burial rituals of the Bura people of Niger. Buried with its flared mouth facing down, this cylindrical storage...
Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Antique Wooden Ceremonial Club
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Elegant Ceremonial Wooden club from the Lobi Tribe in Burkina Faso,
dating from around 1960,beautifully carved and patinated,
mounted on a custom made iron stand,
very decorative piece
Category
1960s Vintage African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Yoruba Osanyin Healing Staff, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
To cure mental and physical ailments, Yoruba priests and diviners invoke the aid of Osanyin, the god of herbal medicines. Used in divination rituals to cure the afflicted, this iron ...
Category
Early 20th Century Minimalist African Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Toussian Storage Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Ovoid pots were an elegant storage solution in African tribal life. This beautifully balanced example is attributed to the Toussian people of Western Burkina Faso. Masterfully made to protect its contents from the elements, pots such as this one were coiled by female ceramists to hold food or personal...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
"A Bridge of Dragon" Ghanaian Movie Poster, c. 1999
Located in Chicago, IL
Starring Dolph Lundgren, Bridge of Dragons was a pulpy action/romance from the late 1990s. The film's international success is evident in this hand-pain...
Category
Late 20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
"Vijay Path" Ghanaian Movie Poster
Located in Chicago, IL
Vijaypath was a Bollywood action hit in 1994. It's critically acclaimed soundtrack topped charts across the world and became one of the most recognizable in India's history. The film's international success is evident in this hand-painted advertisement...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern African Folk Art
Materials
Fabric
Early Twentieth-Century Finely Carved Small Chair, Ivory Coast
Located in London, GB
This early twentieth-century small chair displays a beautiful form. Typically low to the ground, such chairs are found among the Dan and Baule cultures in the Ivory Coast. Carved fro...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
Studded African Mask by Brian Stanziale
By Brian Stanziale
Located in Chicago, IL
In an exclusive collaboration with Pagoda Red, Chicago artist the bms. adds a contemporary twist to our collection of one-of-a-kind African art objects. Embellishing with silver and ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Metal
African Nupe Terracotta Vessel Support, c. 1900
By Nupe
Located in Chicago, IL
The Nupe people of Nigeria were touted as some of the finest ceramicists in Africa. Everyday objects, like this elegant, cylindrical vessel support, received detailed attention. This flaring terra cotta form would have been buried halfway in the ground, in a Nupe home, and used as a stable base for a stack of traditional round pots...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Mid-Twentieth Century Tall Female Figure With Bead Decoration
Located in London, GB
This mid-twentieth century figurative sculpture, which comes from the Kwere culture in Tanzania, depicts a female standing in an upright stance, with her hands placed by her sides.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
"Crystal Hunt" Ghanaian Movie Poster
Located in Chicago, IL
Starring Donnie Yen, "The Bruce Lee of the 90s," "Crystal Hunt" was a martial arts film from Hong Kong made in 1991. Frequently, theaters in Ghana were unable to import official post...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art African Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
Nupe Gourd Water Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Inspired by the natural world, nupe ceramicists fired this water vessel in the shape of a gourd. The vessel's varied textures and colors come from its utilitarian design. The paralle...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Large Bamana Marionette Figure of Charming Police Man, African Figure
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large Bamana marionette figure of a charming police man. African figure retains original paint, amazing patina, also retains original fabric wrap. (outfit).
Category
20th Century Folk Art African Folk Art
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Rare Form of Beaded Doll, Kenyan Coastal Region
Located in London, GB
This mid-twentieth century beaded doll, which likely originates from the Kenyan Coastal Region around Mombasa, exhibits a rare form with a wonderfully simp...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood, Beads
Zulu Milk Jug
Located in Richmond, VA
The Zulu people have traditionally been pastoral people, relying on cows for meat and milk. The daily practice of milking was preceded with singing and dancing, along with the royal milkers holding the wooden pails...
Category
20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
$170
African Dan Mask
Located in Schellebelle, BE
An exceptional Bird DAN Mask from Ivory Coast,
from around the 1960ies,
ex-collection from Tony Berlant, Santa Monica, California, USA,
great patina and wear of the mask,
an exceptio...
Category
1960s Vintage African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
$3,263
Collection of Dagari Spirit Figures From Burkina Faso
Located in Hudson, NY
This impressive collection of four carved wood figures are from the landlocked African country of Burkina Faso. This nation bordered by 6 other countries ...
Category
1930s Tribal Vintage African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa, 1950
Located in Buffalo, NY
Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa,, MID 20TH CENTURY.. gREAT COLOR / PATINA..
Category
1950s Tribal Vintage African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Ibo-Izzi, Nigeria Old ‘Ogbodo Enyi’ Elephant Mask
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
This mask type of the Ibo-Izzi, a subgroup of the Ibo, is actually a dance crest. The elephant mask 'ogbodo enyi' is worn horizontally on top of the head...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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