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.

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 9 and weight 0.1 kg.

This 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

Model is W 16 – H 30 and weight 0.9 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.

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.

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.

Model is W 3 - H 16 and weight 0.2 kg

This authentic carved wood mask, depicting an abstracted animal originates from Mali. Dogon masks, such as this one called kanaga, are worn primarily at dama, a collective funerary rite for Dogon men. The ritual’s goal is to ensure the safe passage of the spirits of the deceased to the world of the ancestors.

Made of 100% wood.

Model is W 36 – H 18 and weight 1.2 kg.

This beautiful and finely felt dance mask is called “muyombo” with almost completely preserved curtains and remains of bright pigment, is considered one of the oldest of the Pende people of DR Congo (Belgian Congo). Mask such as these were  worn on top of the head like a baseball cap so it may be viewed in profile

Made of 100% wood, red pigments.

Model is W 53- H 22 and weight 0.9 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.

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 18 - H 30 and weight 0.4 kg.

This rare bronze container originate from the Dogon people. Vessels such as these were used in secondary burial rituals by the Dogon.

Made of 100% Brass / Bronze

Model is W 23 – H 40 and weight 0.6 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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 Ntomo (also called N’domo) Bamana mask originate from Mali. They were worn by boys as they passed through the early cycle of initiation into manhood. As part of the six initiation societies collectively known as Dyow, the main aim of the initial 5-year long N’tomo Dyo is to prepare uncircumcised boys for adulthood and to educate them about life including farming skills and discipline. The masqueraders wearing the masks, enter the village compound to announce the start of a ritual or a puppet masquerade. There are two main style groups of their masks. One is characterized by an oval face with four to ten horns in a row on top like a comb, often covered with cowries or dried red berries. The other type has a ridged nose, a protruding mouth, a superstructure of vertical horns, in the middle of which or in front of which is a standing figure or an animal. The ntomo masks with thin mouths underscore the virtue of silence and the importance of controlling one’s speech. During their time in ntomo the boys learn to accept discipline. They do not yet have access to the secret knowledge related to kore and other initiation societies. Members wore a wooden face mask during the initiation festival at harvest time and when begging for rice.

Made of 100% Wood, pigment, seeds, latex, metal.

Model is W 25 – H 61 and weight 2kg

This abstract Dogon 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 Mali, located in the administrative districts of Bandiagara and Douentza, Mopti region. 

Made of 100% wood

Model is W 31 – H 18 and weight 1.8

Mermaid puppets are frequently seen during the traditional festivals of Bozo people because they are knows as "the masters of the river." puppet figure from the region of the Bamana city of Segou or the Bozo area of Mopti, by Sogo ba masquerade. 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 23 – H 105 and weight 2.1 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.

The Guros are well known as sculptors of colorful masks, statuettes, pulleys weavers and spoons. 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 30 – H 40 and weight 0.9 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 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.

Antique Dogon multi-arms lamps ornated with decorations. These functional iron lamps, with bowls to burn oil, and 2 staffs, express status, prestige and power. lamps were used during ceremonies in a community or individual sanctuary or used as an incense Burner. Oil known as tulu, made from the Karite tree nut was burned in the cup to produce a dark, smoky light that was as much a light for ritual purposes as for illumination. They would bring honor to the ancestors, the current leadership and the owner of the sculpture. They usually depicted a former leader, seated, standing or on horseback. Although rare, horsemen as icon have existed for 1000 years in Mali. Some would 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% Iron.

Model is W 15 – H 85 and weight 0.8 kg."

This antique iron necklace originates from the Senufo people of Mali. It was originally used as an amulet anklet or chevillière. Traditional chevillières are worn by women but men, may also wear them, especially the larger and heavier anklets. Created using the lost wax method that involves creating a model in beeswax. Once completed, wax rods are attached to it and the entire model is encased in layers of fine clay. The structure is heated and the melted wax runs out through the channels of wax rods; molten metal is poured into the mold - the mold is broken and the piece has been created, resulting in a unique and original piece.

Made of 100% Brass / Bronze

Model is W 2 – H 16 and weight 0.3 kg.