This authentic, well preserved Bronze of the Benin Kingdom in what is now Nigeria exhibits a virtuosity and sophistication of style that has astonished the Western world since they were visited in the 15th century. 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

Age Mid 15th Century

Model is W 53 – H 15 and weight 5.3 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 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.

Oba warrior figure originating 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 22 and weight 0.4 kg.

This unusual and particularly imaginative helmet like mask is 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.

Made of 100% wood

Model is W 33 – H 25 and weight 1.2 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.

This zoomorphic figure with protruding eyes is a classic example of the Mambila people of northern Nigeria.  The wide range of uses to which such a figure may have been employed was probably determined by the medicines in the possession of the owner, and how it was activated, rather than by specific stylistic characteristics of the sculpture itself.

Made of 100% wood, pigments.

Model is W 41 - H 18 and Weight 1.2 kg.

This beautiful Mama Bush Cow in full figure is classic example of a traditional African figure created by the Mama people who live in the interior of Nigeria in the Benue River Valley north of the Jos plateau. It is extremely rare to get hold of a Mama Bush Cow.

Made of 100% wood, cam wood, pigment.

Model is W 50 - H 16 and weight 2 kg.

This authentic, well preserved Bronze of the Benin Kingdom is usually seen as a court official whose job it was to herald the arrival of the Oba's royal entourage with the blow of his horn during public processions. The hornblower wears luxurious clothing and is therefore more likely dressed for a specific festival or celebration than for a war.

Made of 100% Bronze

Age Mid 15th Century

Model is W 60 – H 13 and weight 7.5 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 "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.

The beautifully carved figure is an important addition to any collection. The carving is a key example of an Igbo sculptural genre called ikenga. It depicts a women in a seated position with a child on her laps. The mother and child ikenga, an homage to maternity and motherhood, could have been part of a shrine, where it would have received prayers and sacrifices in return for the ancestors’ support and guidance or had a more public role appearing during festivals and religious ceremonies.

Made of 100% wood.

Model is W 28 – H 73 and weight 2.6 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.

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 0.6 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 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 finely carved bronze figure represents a dwarf at the court of Benin. Wearing courtly dress in continuation of the traditional bronze art of Benin in form of a bearded person with o-shaped legs and neck adornment. In Edo culture dwarfs were known as the jugglers and acrobats in the Oba court.

Made of 100% Bronze

Model is W 46 – H 22 and weight 5 k

This is an old Makonde “Lipiko” Helmet Mask from Northeast Mozambique. The Lipico helmet masks are worn on the top of the head and cover only part of the face. The helmet is worn tipped upward on the head so the dancer can see. The masks sometimes represent ancestral spirits, sometimes animals. a monkey in this case. The lipiko masks, which in the language of the Makonde people means “helmet mask.

Made of 100% wood, pigment.

Model is W 30 – H 46 and weight 0.6 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 an Ooni which means king. Such sculptures such as this was very unqiue to the culture of African art. 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, copper alloy.

Model is W 9 – H 22 and weight 0.4 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 zoomorphic figure with protruding eyes and a large open mouth and carved teeth is a classic example of the Mambila people of northern Nigeria. They are thought to embody ancestors who are responsible for the clan's wealth.  The wide range of uses to which such a figure may have been employed was probably determined by the medicines in the possession of the owner, and how it was activated, rather than by specific stylistic characteristics of the sculpture itself.

Made of 100% wood, red pigments.

Model is W 39 - H 20 and weight 1.1 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.

Vintage tribal ceremonial spoon nicely cast in bronze in the traditional lost wax method, and is decorated with typical tribal motifs. It has aged well, with good colour/patina and is in good condition.

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

Model is W 5 – H 41 and weight 0.5 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

"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.