Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
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Place of Origin: Sub-Saharan African
African Painting by Adingra
Located in Antwerp, BE
African painting stone on burlap by Adingra, 1983,
France - Cote d'Ivoire.
Measures: Height 61 cm,
width 39 cm,
depth 2 cm.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Sandstone
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 Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Terracotta
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 Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Terracotta
Polychrome Wood Gelede Headdress, Yoruba People, Nigeria, circa 1940s
By Yoruba People
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Gelede festivals honour the creative and dangerous power of women elders, female ancestors and goddesses known as "our mothers". The Gelede headdress often consists of two parts, a lower mask and an upper elaborate superstructure. The lower mask depicts a woman's face, it's composure expressing the qualities of calmness and patience.
The numbers are the inventory numbers from Penn State University and Lehigh University.
Exhibited: The Pennsylvania State University - Museum of Art permanent collection; 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
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
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 Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Ceramic
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 Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Natural Fiber, Beads
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 Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Hardwood
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 Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
Ashanti Maternal Fertility Figure
Located in Atlanta, GA
On offer is an Ashanti female fertility figure from Ghana, West Africa, circa Mid-20th century. Carved from a single block of wood, the statue depicts a female with typical coiffure ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Glass, Wood
$2,000 Sale Price
33% Off
Africain Wooden Ligbi Mask Protruding Plate on the Head, Ivory Coast 1980s
Located in Salzburg, AT
Ligbi mask, with a protruding plate on the head engraved with decorative motifs.
Highlights of blue pigments and kaolin enhance this small mask, satin black patina.
The appearance is...
Category
1980s Tribal Vintage Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
Hardwood Chokwe Bench, Angola, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
A fine and elegant hardwood Chokwe (Angola) bench, carved all-over with geometric patterns, human and animal motifs.
The front rain supported with caryatids in the form of male figu...
Category
Late 19th Century Tribal Antique Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Leather, Wood
19th Century Low Reclining Ethiopian Chair
Located in London, GB
Carved from a single piece of dense, heavy wood, this nineteenth-century Gurage low-set chair from Ethiopia exhibits an unusual, rare form. Consisting of a circular double-tiered seat with an angled, reclining back-support, the chair exhibits a deep glossy surface patina, particularly on the back-support and seat as a result of use. The chair is functional, and is reasonably comfortable to sit on.
Estimated Period: 19th Century
Ex Private Family Collection, Addis Ababa...
Category
19th Century Tribal Antique Sub-Saharan African Tribal 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 Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Terracotta
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 Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Hardwood
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 Sub-Saharan African Tribal 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 Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Iron
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 Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Terracotta
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 Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Ceramic
African Bantu Art, Expressive, Surrealistic Gouache by Marcel Gotène
By Marcel Gotène
Located in Salzburg, AT
The famous painter, Marcel Gotène (Icon of the contemporary Bantu art)
combines surrealistic impressions with modern tapisserie elements.
Born in 1935 in Yaba, Republic of Kongo, di...
Category
1980s Modern Vintage Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Silver Leaf
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 Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
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 Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Hardwood
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 Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Hardwood, Beads
Nigerian Nupe Storage Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
The Nupe people of Nigeria were known as some of the finest ceramicists in Africa. Everyday objects, like this storage vessel, received detailed attenti...
Category
Early 20th Century Primitive Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Terracotta
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 Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
Bamana Wood Reliquary Guardian Figure West Africa, Mali
Located in Montreal, QC
A Bamana Wood Reliquary Guardian Figure West Africa, Mali
Property from the Estate of Paul B. Dombrowski, Monona, Wisconsin.
Category
1970s Vintage Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
African mask Yaure tribe Ivory Coast Circa 1950
Located in Paris, FR
African mask from Yaure tribe in Ivory Coast Circa 1950. Beautiful dark patina.
Swedish private collection, from the 1980s then inherited within the family.
Yaure tribe art is renow...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
Traditional African Sculpture of Mursi Woman with Lip Plate - Ethiopia
Located in Barueri, SP, BR
This stunning bronze golden-colored sculpture, crafted in Ethiopia, represents a Mursi woman, embodying Ethiopian craftsmanship's rich cultural heritage and artistic expression. The piece is striking and thought-provoking, featuring a meticulously sculpted bust with distinctive cultural elements. The sculpture pays homage to the Mursi women of Ethiopia, encapsulating their strength, resilience, and beauty.
The sculpture presents a fascinating fusion of realism and abstraction, with finely detailed facial features and textured elements. The golden finish adds a regal quality, making it an eye-catching centerpiece in any collection. It showcases traditional craftsmanship with a modern interpretation, making it a rare and valuable piece of African art.
Background and History
Like many indigenous groups across Africa, Mursi women have played vital roles in shaping their societies. Ethiopian art...
Category
20th Century Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Bronze
$1,680 Sale Price
30% Off
African Decorative Armchair
Located in Montreal, QC
A Chowke wood chair with figural carvings Africa, Angola
Category
1970s Vintage Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
A Carved Ebony Prestige Staff Depicting an Important Elder or Leader
Located in London, GB
A Carved Ebony Prestige Staff Depicting an Important Elder or Leader wearing a Head-Ring ‘Isicoco’
His waistband neck-ring and eyes inlaid with brass studs, his hands carved to his s...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Ebony
African Bantu Art, Expressive, Surrealistic Gouache by Marcel Gotène 1980s
By Marcel Gotène
Located in Salzburg, AT
The famous painter, Marcel Gotène (Icon of the contemporary Bantu art)
combines surrealistic impressions with modern tapisserie elements.
Born in 1935 in Yaba, Republic of Kongo - d...
Category
1980s Modern Vintage Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Silver Leaf
African Textile Showa Kuba
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Rare vintage African Kuba Textile, suitable for a modern wall panel, on a long table ; perfect as headboard.
Handwoven and hand dyed raffia fabric.
An IDEA: use this item as backrest...
Category
Mid-20th Century Archaistic Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Raffia
Baule Chair 19th Century from the Ivory Coast
By Baule Tribe
Located in Sharon, CT
Important and rare with beautiful heads as finials, fully formed with 'deco' touches and finely carved surface patterns. Beautiful untouched rich patina. For similar examples see Sot...
Category
Late 19th Century Tribal Antique Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
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 Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
A Large Finely Carved ‘Cup Carrier’ of a Women with Child
Located in London, GB
A Large Finely Carved ‘Cup Carrier’ of a Women with Child
Superb colour and rich patina
Wood
Tschokwe, Democratic Republic of Congo
Early 20th Century
Size: 42cm high - 16½ ins ...
Category
Early 20th Century Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
African Spear Currency on Stands
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a pair of vintage African spear currencies from the Mbole peoples, Democratic Republic of Congo which are nicely presented upon custom m...
Category
20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Metal, Iron
$3,090 / set
A Voodo African Object
Located in Schellebelle, BE
An exceptional Voodoo Objet fro Africa, Uganda ,Buganda Kingdom,
the object is decorated with Shells, Beads, Fiber,seeds and iron,
a Royal fetish used by higher Royalty,
ex-collecti...
Category
1960s Vintage Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Shell, Fabric, Wood
$2,214
Pair of African Mumuye Rain Wands on Stands
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of African Mumuye rain wands on custom stands. This pair of vintage tribal rain wands originate from the Mumuye peoples of West Africa, Nigeria. These forged-iron wands were utilized by the Mumuye shamans in rain-making ceremonies where they would place the bottom ends in small holes dug into the earth, and symbolically petition the gods for rain. This pair of Mumuye rain wands are each presented upon custom black iron stands, making a great pair of decorative objects...
Category
20th Century Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Iron
$1,180 / set
African Metal Currency Exchange Object
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Exceptional African Currency Object in Patinated Metal,
Congo from around 1970,
the metal has a beautiful Green colored patina and shine and
has the correct signs and marks of use a...
Category
1970s Vintage Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Copper
Lega People, DRC, Two Ceremonial Bone Hairpins from the Lega People in DRC
Located in Leuven , BE
Lega People, DRC.
Two ceremonial bone Hairpins from the Lega people in DRC.
Category
Early 20th Century Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Bone
Dogon Ladder, 6-Feet
Located in Dallas, TX
This classically made Dogon ladder is six feet tall and cut from a medium to dark color wood. The 'Y' top is necessary so that the climber may safely lean the ladder against a tree o...
Category
Early 20th Century Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
$4,050
Mid-20th Century Beaded Neck Adornment and Apron. Pokot, Kenya
Located in London, GB
Among the Pokot, body adornments are visual signifiers of power, wealth and status within the community. Given as a gift to a new bride by her husband, this finely beaded neck adornm...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Beads
African Textile Showa Kuba also for Backrest Cover
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Vintage African Kuba textile, suitable for a modern wall panel, on a long table or to make pillows.
Handwoven and hand-dyed raffia fabric -
An IDEA: ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Raffia
Antique African Stool, Congo
Located in Schellebelle, BE
African stool with a great patina,
Decorated with African Tribal Figures,
Good great old patina of the wood,warm finish and glanze,
Dates fro...
Category
1960s Vintage Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
Beninese Bronze and Rope Bust
Located in Miami, FL
Created in Benin some time during the late 19th Century, and acquired at the Albert F. Gordon Tribal Arts Gallery in New York in the early 1970s, this is a bronze cast bust embellish...
Category
Late 19th Century Tribal Antique Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Bronze
African Textile by Kuba, Zaire - for Backrest Cover
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
B/874/1 - Vintage African Kuba textile, suitable for Wall hanging or table -
An IDEA: use this item as backrest covering of a sofa !
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Raffia, Cotton
Mbuti Ituri traditional handpainted Pygmee bark cloth
By Icons
Located in Zemst, BE
Mbuti Ituri (Congo) traditional handpainted Pygmee bark cloth.
+/- 1920
These cloths we're made from the inside of the bark of the Ficus latex tree.
After been prepared and dryed, ...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
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 Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Terracotta
Dance Head Ornament Representing an Antelope Head, Burkina Faso, Africa
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
A beautiful stylized antelope head used as headdress on ceremonial dances. Retains the old painting and patina over the carved wood. Traded by a professor working in Africa in the 19...
Category
Mid-20th Century Primitive Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
Kuba People, DRC, Leather Whip with Turned Handle
Located in Leuven , BE
Beautifully hand-crafted leather whip with turned handle.
Category
20th Century Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Glass
African Mother and Daughter Tribal Figures
Located in Asheville, NC
Graceful pair of sleek carved standing African female figures poised upon discs of contrasting dark hardwood most likely from the Ivory Coast.
Category
19th Century Antique Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art
Materials
Bone, Hardwood
$1,440 / set