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.

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.

Zoomorphic red 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.

Model is W 24 - H 60 and weight 6 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.

Miniature figurine of  a horse and rider made of bronze. A strong symbolic figurine implying power and status among the Dogon people. Similar to amulets worn around the neck and ankles by the Dogon, they believe to bring good luck or blessings of the gods. They were mostly worn as pendants or bracelets, and represent a source of spiritual strength for their owners. The Dogon place these figurines 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% Brass / Bronze.

Model is W 3 - H 12 and weight 0.4 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 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.

A classic’ mask developed among the Bete, a continuous forehead, coffee bean eyes, and hemispheric protruding mouth. The present Bete mask consists of medium-weight wood. The deep-set face is white (by means of kaolin), the remaining areas dyed a dark brown colour. Mask such as this were the emissary of the occult powers and establishes a link between the material and the invisible. Each mask has an individual name, usually kept secret. Its function is to evoke a mythical past. The masks are made available to the chief to guarantee the prerogatives of the political power.

Made of 100% wood, pigment.

Model is W 20 - H 30 and weight 1.6 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 21 – H 70 and weight 1.3 kg.

This authentic, well preserved bronze plaque of the Benin Kingdom in what is now Nigeria exhibits a virtuosity and sophistication of style that has astonished the Western world. The figure and pose are classic from the high period of Benin art in the 15th century and honor the King or Oba.

Made of 100% Bronze

Model is W 36 – H 28 and weight 64 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 50 and weight 0.6 kg.

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.

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.

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

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 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

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 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 type of circular pendant representing a sun refers to an ancient and complex passage of the Dogon cosmogony, at a time when light was given to men through 10 suns. It is relatively rare in western collections.  The sun symbol identification that is sometimes made seems to be foreign rather than a Dogon interpretation.

Made of 100% Brass / Bronze

Model is W 8 - H 2 and weight 0.3 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.

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.

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 Dogon bronze figure depict a woman in a kneeling position. The figure has a circular but flat body with spiky breasts. Her face reveals a couple of protruding lips, and on her head she has a neatly ethnic hairstyle. The figurines are decorated with tribal figurations and may represent fertility or maternity. These figures were placed on a family altar or kept in the village priest’s shrine where they would have offerings that were meant to infuse them with life force and to assist humans on earth to intercede with the deities. These unique figurines are molded using the basic method of lost-wax casting that has been widely practiced on the African continent for several hundred years prior to the arrival of the first western visitors. This is an impressive piece of art that is seldom seen in Dogon sculpture.

Made of 100% Bronze.

Model is W 5 – H 12 and weight 0.35 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.

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

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 8 – H 19 and weight 0.5 kg.