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

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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 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

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.

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.

The present Fali doll in a typical, round rod shape displays a head, neck, and body richly decorated with geometric lines. The wooden doll is heavily embellished with many chains of red, yellow, white and blue glass pearls, as well as decorated with pierced cowrie shells on old leather bands. It originates from North Cameroon. In Cameroon, when a young Fali man becomes betrothed, he makes a doll(ham pilu) from wood and decorates it with hair, beads, and other small objects. He then gives it to his fiance, who wears it in a baby carrier on her back. The doll is a symbol of their marriage commitment and represents their future child. The man gives the doll the gender that he desires for his first-born. The young woman cares for the figure until the promised child is born; at this point, the couple carefully stores the doll away. It is a Fali custom that a young man should manufacture a doll for his beloved. The woman carries this doll like a baby on her back, thus symbolising her agreement to get married and her wish to have a child. All wood and leather parts of the doll display a good, old usage patina.

Made of 100% wood.

Model is W 37 - H 25 and weight 1.5 kg.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

Bozo Fish 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.

Made of 100% Wood, paint, fabrics

Model is W 12 - H 27 and weight 3 kg.

This ancestral pwo or mwana pwo mask, with an elaborate hairline made up of a braided fibre fabric, beautiful and unusual scarification patterns on the forehead and cheeks originates from Angola. Pwo signifies womanhood and an elder ancestral female associated with fertility. The cross form on the forehead, known as cingelyengelye, is an early Portuguese influence.

Made of 100% wood, fiber, Patina.

Model is W 21 - H 38 and weight 0.6 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 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.