African

AFRICAN ART

Please email if you are interested in purchasing any of the Objects offered here.

BAULE
Female Divination figure

a Carved wooden female African idol used during ritual divination , a Classic example of the highest quality.

Provenance: Private collection, France and West Coast USA , info to the buyer.

Of Note: Verbally authenticated as a divination oracle to the previous owner by Ms. Susan Vogel, leading authority on Baule material.

Both feet missing, minor decay to top finial and base, stress fracture on rear. Strong and stable condition.

On base, 31'' inches tall x base is 6'' sq.

asking $5000.00

a Rare image of
Christ on the Cross
from Tanzania

Carved wooden Crucifix with obvious Tribal influences.

Makonde Peoples, Tanzania.

The cross measures 25 1/2 inches tall on wooden base.

Price on Request*

TEMNE or LIMBA Mask Sierra Leone, west Africa a Carved wooden mask with large stylized coiffure and neck rolls, with serene closed eyes. asking $1500.00

NSAPO
(Songye)

Copper Prestige Axe ZAIRE / AFRICA

a Fine Hand-hammered iron weapon with copper-clad wood handle, the ornate blade featuring stylized serpents and ancestor faces, early to mid-20th c.

(Provenance: Private collection, New York).

Overall good condition. Mounted on custom display stand. 17'' x 10 1/2''

Originally asking $1200.00

now $900.00

ASHANTI

SHRINE FIGURE, GHANA

Rare carved wood figure of a seated male used in fertility rituals, early 20th c.

(Provenance: Prof. William H. Clark, Ghana).

Generations of sacrificial offerings covering entire figure have softened its features; loss of one foot, head re-attached. 17 1/2'' x 7''

asking $1500.00

HEMBA

SINGITI MALE ANCESTOR, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

Carved wooden idol with classic facial features evidencing ritual use, late 19th - early 20th c.

(Provenance: Private collection, Pennsylvania).

Heavily eroded but stable, one arm re-attached.

Complete with custom display stand.

Measures 14'' inches tall X 6'' inches wide (sculpture only, not including stand measurements)

asking $5000.00

Ancient African mask From the Cameroon grasslands of west Africa. This is a Truly OLD mask from west Africa , The mask is a fragment of its former self , but what remains is a powerful and haunting example of African Ritual art made for USE. The mask is from Cameroon , the exact ethnic group is unknown to me , though I am certain it is a Grasslands mask. The mask has a powerful "Art Brut" presence , and although heavily eroded , what remains is stable and should last forever in the safety of your collection. The mask has been professionally mounted so it is ready for display in your Home or Office collection of African Art. Perhaps this eroded aesthetic is not for everyone , but I find the combination of Man and mother nature fascinating , and it speaks to the age of the mask ,which is clearly an old example , likely early 20th century or Older. The mask measures 13 1/4 inches tall X 8 1/2 inches wide ( 19 1/2 inches tall on custom display stand) asking $1200.00
KWESE Zaire , Africa Carved wooden mask with a negative Orange and white painted design accenting a classic heart shaped face. The mask has remains of old rattan binding and a well handled surface and interior , the wood is dry and shows age. 7 1/2 X 6 1/2 inches a metal display stand will also be included. The stand measures 10.5 inches tall x 5 inches wide. asking $750.00
SAPO SAPO (or Songye) Zaire , Africa Carved wooden idol featuring enlarged eyes and diminutive chin , with a heavily eroded surface worn smooth from handling over many years. Wrapped in animal skin skirt and custom mounted to a wooden base. 10 1/2 inches tall on a 3x3 inch base. Provenance : Mr Suhr collection , Canada also of note , a colleague who knew of this figure stated he believed it was also previously in the Lasdislas Segy collection , NYC asking $600.00

DAN

Ivory Coast , Africa

Carved wood with signs of heavy ritual use , including old nails where animal skins were once attached , and a central nail holds a "Magic charge" in the forehead , adorned with feathers and ritual material.

There is loss to some of the Mouth and one edge on the back side of the mask.

Measures 10 x 5 3/4 inches
( 15 INCHES TALL ON DISPLAY STAND)

asking $1000.00

VIGANGO MEMORIAL POST, KENYA Stylized ancestor form used to mark sacred site, late 19th century , a Very old example. (Provenance: Private collection, West Coast). Heavily eroded but intact, minor loss to face. Custom-mounted. Post: 60'' x 6 1/2'' Price on Request *
KONGO 19th century Female idol Well handled and worn wood with a reddish patina , this is a very old example with signs of handling over generations. 5 inches tall on custom display stand. Ex Coll. Joshua Dimondstein, CA USA Ex Coll. Dave De Roche, CA ,USA asking $1500.00
LEGA Jani-form figure Carved wood with a honey colored patina from handling . This figure has a janus style head and likely served as a diviners power object. 7 1/4 inches tall on custom display stand. Early 20th century. Asking $1250.00
Leather and hide helmet with cowrie shell and Bushcow Horns on display stand , asking $475.00	Woven grass helmet with avian beak finial , shells and old buttons. On display stand, asking $400.00

KUBA BWOOM Mask From the Northeastern Kuba Ngeende Carved wooden mask with Copper,shell and woven grass regalia, and black and white painted designs. On custom display stand, the mask measures 13 3/4 inches tall X 9 inches wide. early 20th c. ,Used in dramatic performances. (Provenance: Tad Dale collection, New Mexico). Price on Request *

KUBA MASK

Mwaash aMbooy

Kuba Kingdom, Democratic Republic of the Congo

This mask consists of cowrie shells, beads, and early/mid 20th century fabric underneath what remains of the animal hide once covered the face.

This mask represents the primal ancestor Woot, the first human and bringer of civilization to the Kuba peoples, who founded the ruling Bushoong dynasty of the Kuba kingdom.

Traditionally Each Kuba king and sub-chief owns a Moshambwooy mask and wears it ceremonially during royal ceremonies and at boy's initiation rites when he receives homage from the nobility and people of his kingdom.

This mask's rich decoration of cowrie shells, beads, and leopard skin indicates a possible royal status.

The White fur attached below the chin of the mask is to signify the wisdom that rulers gain from experience.

When kings died, the mask was placed on a royal effigy to represent him, and kings where often buried with the mask.

An interesting ornate example, likely early to mid 20th century with Field Use.

Measures 17 x 12 inches ( mask itself ) a Display stand will be included.

asking $ 750.00

NUPE Ceremonial container ca. 19th century Carved wood lidded vessel with ornate incised and raised tribal motifs. Obviously Eroded though what remains is Strong and stable. Price on Request*
KUBA Old Pipe On display stand Congo , Africa More info soon...
IBIBIO Figural headdress Nigeria, Africa More info Soon...
MASAI Warriors Shield Kenya, Africa This shield is composed of buffalo hide sewn onto a wooden frame. The surface of the shield is decorated with geometric designs in red, white, brown and black. The mid-rib bisecting the shield features alternating triangular-shaped motifs. Among the Maasai, red paint was traditionally obtained by mixing earth with blood or the red sap of the solanum campylae fruit. White was derived from local clays, and black from the skins of burnt gourds. Traditionally younger warriors were only allowed the use of black, white, or gray on their shields, indicating that the shield illustrated here was probably owned by a proven warrior herder. Price on Request *

The Shaman Gallery

of Ritual Art & Artifacts