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 Early-mid 20th century mother-and-child figures are placed in shrines and used by diviners in northeastern Igboland, Nigeria. The Igbo figures of mother and child are very rare.

Made of 100% wood, kaolin.

Model is W 55 - H 19 and weight 3.5 kg.

Ancestral Oba warrior figure coming from Benin. The male character wears ornaments around the waist and neck. He also wears a hairstyle, showing his high rank in the benign society, we find in fact the frontal excrescence of the royal headdresses. The art of Benin, an art of court, it is closely associated with the king, known as Oba and exclusively for the use of the inhabitants of the royal palace and, most often, placed on altars dedicated by each new Oba . The tradition of Ife bronze course objects dates back to the 14th century. The Benin bronzes are probably among the most famous of the tribal art of Black Africa.

Made of 100% Bronze, copper alloy.

Model is W 8 – H 24 and weight 0.4 kg.

This small Kunin sculpture, from the Middle Benue River Valley, Nigeria, is distinguished by its overall elegant proportions and stylistically compared to their Mumuye and Jukun neighbors. The Chamba venerate anthropomorphic statues of male and female gender. The figure is not very common and their role is little known but it has been reported that there figures 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.

Model is W 8 - H 67 and weight 1.7 kg.

"Elu" mask with an expressive Bird like face and hinged jaw originates from the Ogoni tribe in Nigeria, early 20th century. Wooden face mask with hinged, movable jaw. 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 both sides of the face at outer corner of eye area. The eyes are hollow almond shaped openings. The head decoration has a raised portion, with a vertical light-painted keloid or scar mark the center.

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

Model is W 30 - H 19 and weight 3 kg.

This kneeling maternity figure originates from the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria. This figure depict represents a queen mother as she would sit in state on formal occasions. The kneeling position is a gesture of respect, devotion, and submission. Thus the figure represented in the carving is probably a petitioner rather than a deity. The sculpture may have been a votive offering from a woman who had successfully petitioned for a child. Such royal maternity figures were kept with the venerated seats of ancestral chiefs in special rooms, or they were housed in the shrines of powerful deities that were particularly concerned with the well-being of a royal person, perhaps a queen mother.

Made of 100% wood.

Model is W 66 - H 14 and weight 3.8 kg.

A particularly unusual helmet like mask from the Nsukka area, the northern part of the north-central Igbo region in Nigeria. This region has one of the most complex and diverse mask making traditions in Nigeria.

Made of 100% wood.

Model is W 39 - H 22 and weight 0.7 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 rare and beautiful 19th–mid-20th century mother-and-child maternity figure carved for the Royal Court originates from northeastern Igboland, Nigeria. The Shango crest sits on atop the head, with ethnic adornments and scarification and exceptional detail in the facial expression. Shango is the god of thunder and lightning. Shango is both feared in the context of justice and magic and venerated as his manifestations bring beneficial rain for crops.

 

Made of 100% wood.

Model is W 75 - H 16 and weight 5.2 kg.

This beautiful miniature Ife head is cast in the lost wax technique, and originates from Ife, Nigeria. The heads often depict historic individuals and heroes of Ife, spiritual home of the Yoruba. According to the oral traditions of the Yoruba people, Ife is the place where life and civilisation began. Ife is regarded as the legendary homeland of theYoruba-speaking peoples and its sacred ruler, the Ooni, is still revered as the descendant of the original creator gods.

Made of 100% "Bronze" Brass, copper alloy.

Model is W 16 – H 19 and weight 0.4 kg.

This is a large corpus of Yoruba sculpture known and identified as to symbol and meaning identified to the various orishas or deities. This beautiful sculpture depicts a seated woman, holding a child on her knees and breastfeding. To the Yoruba the prime manifestation of the life force is fertility and women are the stronger sex as the life force manifests itself directly in them in the form of menstruation and childbirth. These figures, some of which were brightly painted, were placed on altars in shrines or displayed at special ceremonies. In Yoruba society, the most important role of women is to bear children, and as such, sculptures depicting mother and child are widespread, reflecting a number of ideas, such as continuity, ancestors, or family.

Made of 100% wood, adroned with beads and cowrie shells.

Model is W 36 – H 100 and weight 2.4 kg.

This ceramic depiction of an ancestral elder was made by the Nok people of Nigeria, at the very start of the first millennium AD. This piece is a classic of the Nok culture. Little is known of the original function of the pieces, but theories include ancestor portrayal, grave markers, and charms to prevent crop failure, infertility, and illness. Also, based on the dome-shaped bases found on several figures, they could have been used as finials for the roofs of ancient structures.

 

Made of 100% terracotta.

Model is W 48 – H 15 and weight 1.2 kg.

This beautiful mask with a figure surmounting it is an Epa masks origination from the Yoruba/Ekiti people of northern Nigeria. Masks such as these are considered one of the largest masks used in Africa, and worn as a helmet.The Jagunjagun ( ‘warrior’ or Ogun meaning ‘god of war’) mask represents ancestors of power with the ability to protect the community against external threats. It brings to mind energy, power and authority but is also a visual representation of past calvary that protected the Ekiti peoples during warfare.

Made of 100% Wood, pigment.

Model is W 20 H 36 and weight 4 kg.

This beautiful miniature head cast in the lost wax technique originates from Ife, Nigeria, the religious and former royal centre of the Yoruba people. It is believed to represent a king. According to the oral traditions of the Yoruba people, Ife is the place where life and civilisation began. Ife is regarded as the legendary homeland of theYoruba-speaking peoples and its sacred ruler, the Ooni, is still revered as the descendant of the original creator gods.

Made of 100% "Bronze" Brass, copper alloy.

Model is W 9 – H 22 and weight 0.4 kg.

This figure represents a female kneeling figure holding a bowl, known as Olumeye. Her facial features are very expressive and are carved with naturalistic detailing such as large scarification on cheeks and forehead. The finial hairstyle called known as irun agogo, adds to the figure's beauty. The patina is shiny and smooth. This figure, a recent bride or a priestess, depicts an homage to maternity or motherhood and was used as a shrine to deities Shango or Eshu in the Yoruba religion. The piece has a shine and rich patina. The Olumeye are carved most often in the shape of a rooster and placed in front of a female figure who is shown kneeling in a position of submission and offering. The bowl was used to serve cola nuts to elite guests.

Made of 100% wood.

Model is W 66 – H 14 and weight 3.8 kg.

This authentic antique Benin bronze ancestral altar bell, cast in the form of a dome comes from Nigeria. The bell is surmounted with by a horseman and adorned by geometical shape. 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 32 and weight 0.4 kg.

This Bembe statuette originates from the People's Republic of the Congo. Bembe ancestor statues are rare and they can only be found in the south western part of their territory. The most known are called Biteki, and portray generally impressive corporal scarification. They mostly represent Heads of village, warriors and women.

Made of 100% wood.

Model is W 74 - H 17 and weight 5 kg.

This zoomorphic Dogon Dege mask made of wood, with chestnut brown patina, simple but yet very harmonious, is 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.

Model is W 70 - H 26 and weight 4 kg.

This "Elu" mask originates from the Ogoni tribe in Nigeria. Scarification marks with geometrically incised designs appear on the 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 32 - H 21 and weight 1 kg.

This rare Wurkun (or Bikwin) small figure, in a post or staff-like form, is known as iagalagana and incarnates tutelary spirits. The stylized figure is stuck on iron rods, with a beautiful crusty red ocher patina. These statues were frequently washed with liquid clay, "fed" with millet beer offerings, rubbed with oil, explaining the thickness of the clay.

Made of 100% Iron, Paint.

Model is W 41 - H 14 and weight 3.5 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.

This great Mumuye figure, 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.

Made of 100% Wood.

Model is W 70 - H 11 and weight 2 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 38 – H 50 and weight 1.4 kg

This Kunin statuette originates from Middle Benue River Valley, Nigeria, and is distinguished by its overall elegant proportions. It is stylistically compared to their Mumuye and Jukun neighbors. This figure is not very common and their role is little known but it has been reported that figures such as this 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.

Model is W 7 - H 40 and weight 0.2 kg.

This finely cast bronze (brass - copper alloy) figural scene comes from Nigeria. It depicts a female figure, an elder smoking tobacco and holding, what seems to be a staff.

The work of bronze by the technique of wax lost in African art.

Made of 100% Bronze, copper alloy.

Model is W 7 – H 16 and weight 0.3 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 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 7 – H 2 and weight 0.12 kg.