This handcrafted hairpin with a zoomorphic figure abstract is a handsome example of Dogon art; and as such, presents a style that greatly influenced the art of the West. It was used as an hair ornament and jewelry. A superb heavy oxidized vert-de-gris patina of greens and browns as well as encrusted deposits cover this imposing ring.The Dogon are an ethnic group living in the central plateau region of Mali, south of the Niger bend near the city of Bandiagara in the Mopti region. Certain researchers investigating the Dogon have reported that they seem to possess advanced astronomical knowledge.

Made of 100% Brass / Bronze

Model is W 3 - H 16 and weight 0.2 kg

This Dogon mask with a superstructure is carved from heavy, dense wood, and originates from the Dogon peoples of Mali. The mask depict an abstracted face, a classic from the Dogon. A traditional shape used by the Dogon in much of their carvings. It’s a ceremony mask used during the annual harvest festival (called Bulu), celebrated in all the villages before the rainy season.

Made of 100% wood, pigment.

Model is W 59 - H 22 and weight 1.1 kg.

This Dogon figurative sculpture depicts a Kono, a bird that announce the rains — The singers praise the bird’s character and its importance in the lives of the people. The puppet is from the region of the Bamana city of Segou or the Bozo area of Mopti, by Sogo ba masquerade. They were used during performance of Dance troops of young men, members of local youth groups. The sing, dance, drum, manipulate puppets or dance masks in creating performances called Sogo Ba. Through the movements of the puppets and the songs that accompany them, the youth association is able to comment on the social and political life of the community.

Made of 100% Wood, paint, fabrics.

Model is W 24 – H 74 and weight 1.4 kg.

This pigmented yellow Senufo Kpelie hand-carved wooden mask comes from the Ivory Coast/Mali. It has preserved its authenticity, surface and aged patina. The wood carving is exquisite and exaggerated features, have all of the hallmarks of the Ivory Coast/Mali Senufo people’s ‘Kpelie’ mask. Beautiful, mysterious and poetic, imbued with the cultural narrative of its people and its time.

Made of 100% wood, pigment.

Model is W 18 – H 30 and weight 0.6 kg.

The Bozo Sogobo Fish puppets come from the region of the Bamana city of Segou or the Bozo area of Mopti, and are crafted by the Bozo artisans for the Sogo ba masquerade. Sculptures such as these were used during performance of Dance troops of young men, members of local youth groups. They sing, dance, drum, manipulate puppets or dance masks in creating performances called Sogo Ba. Through the movements of the puppets and the songs that accompany them, the youth association is able to comment on the social and political life of the community. The Bozo people are known as "masters of the river" and their culture and artwork centers around their interaction with the Niger River. The fish puppets come in different colors and shape and are uniquely handcrafted.

Made of 100% Soft wood, pigment, nails.

Model is W 9 – H 39 and weight 0.3 kg.

This finely crafted bronze Royal leopard was made by a craftsman blacksmith using the technique of lost wax, with beautifully detailed patterns, depicting the leopard skin. A "Leopard" was used as a symbol of Justice and power in the Yoruba culture. African proverbs about leopards are so "spot on": The rain wets the leopard's spots but does not wash them off." Leopard appears most frequently in yoruba art, as “king of the forest”, his reputation is as great as that of the Oba, or king. The leopard came to be a royal symbol as it heralded for the balance between his strength and his reserve and moderation as a leader. The leopard symbolizes the complete harmony between two compelling forces – the menacing and the moderating – that, in Benin, it is believed every ideal Oba should possess.

Made of 100% Bronze, copper alloy.

Model is W 32 – H 40 and weight 1.2 kg

This antique bronze bracelet was worn and used as currency trade money and investment and highly prized in Western Africa from 1600-1900 by the Dogon tribal people for trading / buying transactions in Mali. This form of currency is beautifully designed with some tribal patterns and molded in bronze with the lost-wax method, also called cire-perdue. These "primitive" currencies were both aesthetic and functional as they were creative symbols of wealth and power and functionally used a means of exchange. They were used to purchase everyday items such as food, cloth, tools, land, livestock and for brides.

Made of 100% Bronze.

Model is W 6 - H 14 and weight 1.3 kg.

Beautifully carved Baule ancestral portrait originating from Ivory Coast. These refined human face masks are usually portraits of particular known individuals or dignitary celebrated during a ceremonial dance called Mbloâ. Masks such as this one were used in entertainment dances and are one of the oldest of Baule art forms. Baule art is sophisticated and stylistically diverse.

Made of 100% wood, pigment

Model is W 12 - H 30 and weight 0.6 kg.

This rare small pot with figural lids originate from Dogon. Atop the lid is a seated figure that represent an (idealistic) portrait of the deceased or "nomo" ancestor, creators of the dogons. They look after their representatives in the world of the living. The base is shaped like a seat that symbolizes the image of the world The vessels were used in secondary burial rituals by the Dogon.

Made of 100% Brass / Bronze

Model is W 6 – H 12 and weight 0.2 kg.

This elaborately carved vessel was used to hold food consumed during the investment rituals of Dogon religious and political leaders known as hogon. Hogon are the high priests of the cult of Lebe, the first Dogon ancestor to die, whose body was miraculously transformed into a snake after his death. Associated with regeneration and renewal, the cult is charged with maintaining the earth's fertility and ensuring the protection and well-being of Dogon society. This vessel's large size and visual elaboration indicates the hogon's importance within the life of a Dogon community.

Made of 100% Brass / Bronze.

Model is W 8– H 14 and weight 0.3 kg.

This authentic Marka Mask is made of dense wood seat on a raised base. It it originates from Mali. All along the Niger, this mask type is used for ceremonies associated with fishing and agriculture.A fine examples of Marka masks and a great addition to any serious collection for its artistic and intrinsic values. Made of 100% wood, metal. Model is W 22 - H 49 and weight 1.4 kg.

"Elu" mask with hinged movable jaw originates from the Ogoni tribe in Nigeria, early 20th century. Lower jaw portion attached to upper by narrow wooden threads on each side. Semicircular disc like ears protrude from sides of face. Scarification marks with geometrically incised designs appear on forehead. The eyes are hollow almond shaped openings. The head decoration has a raised portion representing ancestors or title holders.

Made of 100% light hand-carved cane wood, fiber and pigments.

Model is W 33 - H 21 and weight 0.8 kg.

This abstract monkey mask has a traditional geometric shaped face, eyes, and ears, a prominent groin decorated with geometric motifs, crusted old wooden patina. It originates from the Dogon people of Mali, located in the administrative districts of Bandiagara and Douentza, Mopti region. Mask such as this one are worn during the Dama Masquerade and are are identified as monkeys. "Omono" refers to the 'white' monkey; the red monkey mask is known as "Ko" and the black monkey is called "Dege".

Made of 100% wood

Model is W 34 – H 15 and weight 1.2

This rare small pot with figural lids originate from Dogon, and dates . Atop the lid is two seated figures that represents an (idealistic) portrait of the deceased. The vessels were used in secondary burial rituals by the Dogon.

Made of 100% Brass / Bronze

Model is W 6 – H 14 and weight 0.3 kg.

This small antique bell, cast in the form of a dome comes from Benin. Tribal bells were used for a variety of purposes, such as proclaiming a sacred presence as well as a neutralizing hostile or harmful forces. Bells were used as tools of communication, as portable instruments for conveying important messages, and as a form or currency. The predominant method employed by the Edo in creating objects like the Bells, called “lost-wax casting, does not permit for a mold to be used more than once, a fact which accounts for the idiosyncrasies and lack of exact copies in known examples of Benin bronzes. Using the bells and rattle stuffs to call the ancestor’s spirit, the oba offered sacrifices to him and to the earth on the altar.

Made of 100% Bronze, copper alloy.

Model is W 9 – H 19 and weight 0.1 kg.

The Bozo Sogobo Fish puppets come from the region of the Bamana city of Segou or the Bozo area of Mopti, and are crafted by the Bozo artisans for the Sogo ba masquerade. Sculptures such as these were used during performance of Dance troops of young men, members of local youth groups. They sing, dance, drum, manipulate puppets or dance masks in creating performances called Sogo Ba. Through the movements of the puppets and the songs that accompany them, the youth association is able to comment on the social and political life of the community. The Bozo people are known as "masters of the river" and their culture and artwork centers around their interaction with the Niger River. The fish puppets come in different colors and shape and are uniquely handcrafted.

Made of 100% Soft wood, pigment, nails.

Model is W 9 – H 39 and weight 0.3 kg.

Zoomorphic fish puppet figure from the region of the Bamana city of Segou or the Bozo area of Mopti, by Sogo ba masquerade. Masks such as these were used during performance of Dance troops of young men, members of local youth groups. The sing, dance, drum, manipulate puppets or dance masks in creating performances called Sogo Ba. Through the movements of the puppets and the songs that accompany them, the youth association is able to comment on the social and political life of the community.

Made of 100% Wood, paint, fabrics.

Model is W 13 – H 48 and weight 0.3 kg.

The Bozo Sogobo Fish puppets come from the region of the Bamana city of Segou or the Bozo area of Mopti, and are crafted by the Bozo artisans for the Sogo ba masquerade. Sculptures such as these were used during performance of Dance troops of young men, members of local youth groups. They sing, dance, drum, manipulate puppets or dance masks in creating performances called Sogo Ba. Through the movements of the puppets and the songs that accompany them, the youth association is able to comment on the social and political life of the community. The Bozo people are known as "masters of the river" and their culture and artwork centers around their interaction with the Niger River. The fish puppets come in different colors and shape and are uniquely handcrafted.

Made of 100% Soft wood, pigment, nails.

Model is W 9 – H 39 and weight 0.3 kg.

This Guro mask and many of the other masks are representations of the spirit of Gu, the wife of Zamble, a supernatural being. Guro masks originate from the west coast of Africa and more specifically from Ivory Coast. Guro mask is very unique and has a combination of human and animal traits and imaginary beasts. The Guro tribe or Gouro tribe as they are sometimes pronounced are very spiritual people and their masks are all representations of their way of live and spiritual way of life.

Made of 100% wood, pigment.

Model is W 18 – H 32 and weight 0.7 kg.

Miniature horseman bronze figure – the horse and rider motif is a strong symbolic signifying power and status among the Dogon people. Similar to amulets worn around the world, they believe to bring good luck or blessings of the gods. They were mostly worn as pendants on necklaces or bracelets, which represent a source of spiritual strength for their owners. The Dogon place these figures depicting men and women on many different kinds of altars, most of which are dedicated to ancestors, either real or mythical. Although rare, horsemen as icon have existed for 1000 years in Mali. Some depict a hogon, the supreme officeholder, a semi-divine leader of great wisdom, or even a mythological emissary from a distant land.

Made of 100% Bronze, copper alloy.

Model is W 6 – H 11 and weight 0.1 kg.

This hollowed helmet-like mask is called Agbogho Mmwo, and originates from the Nsukka area, the northern part of the northcentral Igbo region in Nigeria. This region has one of the most complex and diverse mask making traditions in Nigeria. The stylized facial features represents numerous attributes of the ideal of female beauty among the Igbo. Worn each year for 'The Fame of Maidens' ceremony, it is intended to instruct youths in attitudes necessary for moral as well as physical beauty, the moral ideals of purity, obedience, good character and generosity. Varied aged surface with areas of red, white, black and blue pigment.

Made of 100% wood,pigment.

Model is W 42 - H 26 and weight 1.1 kg.

The piece featured here is an iron-forged spear for hunting or fishing from the Senufo tribe in Mali. The most notable weapons were made using a long wooden sheath and a metallic head as well as the bow and arrows and shields often made from animal hide. Spears were leaf shaped with along wooden shaft.The weapons consisted of spears and special javelins.Sometimes these were attached to a long string so that, after spearing an enemy, the spear could be pulled back again and used once more.

Made of 100% Iron, bamboo.

Model is W 8 – H 102 and weight 0.4 kg.

African Bronze Warrior figure from the Senufo tribe of Mali. It has preserved its authenticity, surface, and aged patina. Sculptural art is the epitome in the cultural and spiritual lives of the Senufo people.

Made of 100% Bronze, copper alloy.

Model is W 6 - H 26 and weight 0.3 kg

African bronze senufo statue from Mali. It has preserved its authenticity, surface and aged patina. Sculptural art are the epitome in the cultural and spiritual lives of the Senufo people.

Made of 100% Bronze, copper alloy.

Model is W 10 – H 36 and weight 0.6 kg

This authentic mask depicting an abstracted human face showing traces of exposure to the elem bird mask is made of wood, with a crusted old wooden patina. It originates from Mali, located in the administrative districts of Bandiagara and Douentza, Mopti region.

Made of 100% wood, fiber Patin.

Model is W 34 – H 15 and weight 1.2 kg.

This Bozo Fish puppet is used for performances in the region around the Bamana city of Segou or the Bozo area of Mopti, by Sogo ba masquerade. Dance troops of young men, members of local youth groups. The sing, dance, drum, manipulate puppets or dance masks in creating performances called Sogo Ba.

Made of 100% Wood, paint, nails, tape

Model is W 64 - H 25 and weight 4.2 kg.