Showing 169–180 of 792 resultsSorted by popularity
A wonderful Old Bamana Sogo Bo Marionette head from the Bambara people / Bozo Peoples in Segou region of Mali. The elaborate hairstyle suggests the character of the preferred, benign woman barabara (unlike the evil woman galomuso ). We see pigmentation of red and black. The Sogo bò puppet theater is still widespread in the tribal area of Bamana and has entertaining character, often with moral approaches, representing a comprehensive dance and vocal performance.
Made of 100% wood, pigment, fabric.
Model is W 14 - H 82 and weight 1 kg.
This imposing standing male figure is the joint creation of a skilled carver and a trained ritual practitioner, or nganga.The face has sensitively rendered features, with semi-circular eyes closed under arched eyebrows that extend on either side towards the jaw lines. These give the face its distinctive V-shape, interrupted by the short horizontal line of the chin. The body is a succession of articulated angular shapes, from the squared off shoulders and tubular arms to the side of the torso, to the protruding abdomen on either side of which the hands rest, and the telescoping cones forming the thighs and calves. Large-scale power figures such as this example were central to the life of Songye communities. The nkishi was kept in a special enclosure positioned in a highly visible location, such as the center of the village or near the chief’s house. It was cared for by a guardian who also served as an interpreter for the nkishi whose messages were received through dreams or spirit possession.
Made of 100% wood, fiber, fur, mud, resin.
Model is W 20 - H 80 and weight 2.6 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 20 - H 37 and weight 0.4 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 20 - H 37 and weight 0.4 kg.
Female spirit statue (Anjenu) originating from the Idoma peoples that live south of the Benue river. The statue evokes a spiritual protective power that inhabits the water or the bush and sometimes appears in dreams. Anjenu helps to cure illness and, above all, aids female fertility. The Anjenu was invoked by men who wanted their wives to become pregnant. Protruding conical breasts and navels are common. The face is usually painted with white pigments, scarification marks in front of the ears as well as the vertical one on the forehead, and the blackened lips surrounding the mouth with its clearly visible teeth - a stylistic characteristic often shared with Ibo people. Seated statues are believed to incarnate fertility, a frequent theme in the region.
Made of 100% wood, pigment.
Model is W 30 – H 50 and weight 3.6 kg.
This statue is called “guardian byer”, with its voluminous head and stocky appearance, is characteristic of the Southern Fang style, in particular the Meke-Betsi of the North and the North – West Gabon. The character, in a sitting position, Holds in his hands an offering.
Made of 100% wood
Model is W 10 – H 50 and weight 1.3 kg.
A sculpture representing the ancestors of the Chamba that settled south of the Benue, nearby the Jurkun. These type of Statue of the Chamba are quite rare and their role is little known but it has been reported that figures such as these are used in a cult activity known as Jup that is in the main dominated by men or in the case of women, Jem.
Made of 100% carved wood, patina, pigments.
Model is W 11 – H 40 and weight 2 kg.
A beautiful Mumuye figure from northeastern Nigeria that incarnate titulary spirits. Mumuye figures carved with crescentic coiffure, an helmet like shaped head, large circular eyes and disc-like ears has a characteristical toroidal shape and the unmistakable stylistic sign of this Mumuye ethnic group. Thye are highly abstracted, perhaps in part because they invoke forms of human and supernatural authority. The statue may have added elements: beads, belts, bracelets, chains, leather laces, ropes or braided vegetable matter, brass wires, or cowrie shells. The statues’ principal characteristic, unique in African art, is the openwork between the body and the arms, which forms a scroll or a spiral around the slender, cylindrical bust. The Mumuye distinguish the gender of the figures on the basis of the shape of the ears; only Mumuye women distend their earlobes.
Made of 100% Wood with dark patina, kaolin, fiber, beads.
Model is W 12 – H 30 and weight 0.2 kg.
This small standing male figure, called ‘Bateba Puhwe’ originates from the Lobi in south-west of Burkina Faso. These kind of carved figure were made for priests, soothsayers and healers; they are supposed to serve as temporary ‘residences’ for the invisible spirits (‘Thila’). They used to be placed in special shrines and receive sacrificial offerings. They are thought to protect against witches, illness and every form of evil. Old and with good patina.
Made of 100% wood.
Model is W 12- H 30 and weight 0.2 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 20 - H 38 and weight 0.3 kg.
This hand carved headrest reminiscent of a turtle originates from the Dogon people in Mali. The heavy honey-colored wood has a beautiful grain, the larger handle or extremity is richly patinated from having been carried around by its owner. The flat and slightly curved portion of the headrest also has a warm patina from usage. Dogon headrests are rare, replicating the larger stools in style and form, retaining all of the elegance and the aesthetics of larger pieces. Headrests like stools are considered to be objects of prestige, denoting social status and hierarchy in African societies.
Made of 100% wood.
Model is W 8 – H 30 and weight 0.2 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 âlost-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 ancestorâs spirit, the oba offered sacrifices to him and to the earth on the altar.
Made of 100% Bronze, copper alloy.
Model is W 9 â H 19 and weight 0.1 kg.
