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 50 and weight 0.6 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.

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.

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.

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 12 – H 34 and weight 0.8 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 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.

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.

This door lock  (called Konbalabala) was generally used on the doors of dwellings. The design of the door lock represents among many things a person or myth or story. Door Locks were often given as as wedding gifts to young brides. 

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 32 – H 112 and weight 1.4 kg.

Authentic 11th to 15th century Dongon Dege mask made of wood, with chestnut brown patina, simple but yet very harmonious, an exceptional piece for your collection. 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 is a beautiful example of a Dogon bracelet. It shows old patina from usage, and is decorated with protective signs and symbols. This type of bracelets such as this were highly prized in Western Africa from 1600-1900, and utilized not only as jewelry and Currency Trade Money, but also as portable wealth. Metal works like this Dogon bracelet is molded in bronze by ‘the lost wax method’, also called ‘cire-perdue’.

Made of 100% Brass / Bronze

Model is W 2 – H 14 and weight 0.3 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 14 - H 34 and weight 0.8 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 finely carved iron object depicts a Nommo staff. It originates from the Dogon who live at the base of the Bandiagara escarpment near the Niger River in Mali. They could have been carried by a ritual Chief for the complex funerary rituals so well known among the Dogon. It may have also been used by the blacksmith as an indication of his status among the Dogon.

Made of 100% Bronze, copper alloy.

Model is W 2 - H 33 and weight 0.3 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 beautiful, rare, well-carved mask, made of wood, and covered with brass sheet,  originates from the Marka tribes in Mali. This is one of the finest examples of Marka masks. The works on the brass sheet are finial and superb. This mask would have a place in any good collection for its artistic and intrinsic values.

Made of 100% wood, dark brown patina, sheet metal and red dyed fiber

Model is W 34 - H 12 and weight 0.7 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 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.

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 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 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.

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.

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

Colorful Bozo Belier puppets were used for performances in the region of 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. 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 30 – H 56 and weight 1.2 kg.