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The Kotoko inherited the skill of casting figures in bronze and brass from the Sao in the 5th century. The 3 Kotoko bronze horsemen are depicted with armor, helmets and lances. The horses are embellished with trappings of harness and bridle. These stylized talisman were found in funerary offerings. Origin: Lake Chad Time Period: Early - Mid 20th c Provenance: From a New York collection Materials: Bronze Dimensions: 3 in long, x 5/8 in wide x 3 in high Condition: The figures appears in fine condition Inventory #A3644-46 Price: $450 (for 3) Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates. -
Mossi blacksmiths carved wooden dolls called “biiga,” that were given to young daughters. Mossi dolls were cared for just like babies and were dressed, washed and danced. The 3 Mossi dolls were associated with fertility and accompanied these girls through initiation and into marriage. Origin: Burkina Faso Time Period: Mid 20th c Provenance: From a San Antonio, TX collection Materials: Wood, center doll has animal hide, fiber, cowrie shells with custom base Dimensions: Left H: 7 1/2 in. Middle H: 11 7/8 in. Right H: 9 1/2 in. Condition: Figures in very good condition, middle doll has some wear to animal hide Inventory #A3564, A3581 & A3565 Price: $850 for the three figures Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates. -
This finely carved Bassa mask harnessed power from an ancestor spirit and was danced during boy’s initiations and for entertainment. The mask has a concave profile with downturned eyes, jutting chin and an elaborate coiffure of braids. Bassa masks were attached to a large woven headdress that concealed the dancer by fully covering his head and shoulders.
Origin: Liberia Time Period: Mid 20th c Provenance: From a California collection Materials: Wood and pigment with a custom stand Dimensions: 6 1/2 in. high x 3 5/8 in. wide Condition: Mask in very good condition with some abrasions Inventory #A3641 Price: $695 Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates -
This Bassa passport mask was used as a powerful charm for personal protection during forest work, travel and for countering witchcraft. These highly collectable passport masks were also used to identify the owner while traveling through other communities. Origin: Liberia Time Period: Early - Mid 20th c Provenance: From a Washington D.C. collection Materials: Wood and pigment with custom stand Dimensions: 4 in. High x 2 3/4 in. Wide Condition: Appears in very good condition with some abrasions from use Inventory #A3586 Price: $525 Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates. -
The Baule carved staffs, scepters and mallets with the head of the sacred bushcow or antelope mask. They were used to protect the village against threats, illness and for discipline. This elegantly carved Baule staff has a long handle that supports an antelope head with slit eyes, open mouth with teeth and stylized horns. Origin: Ivory Coast Time Period: Early 20th c Provenance: Ex: Brian Layden collection, New York Ex: Ronald G. Atwood collection, Portland, OR Materials: Wood and pigment with custom stand Dimensions: 10 in. high x 2 in. wide Condition: Staff in very good condition Inventory #A3393 Price: $1,600 Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates. -
The superbly carved Chokwe bone comb was a prestige object reflecting status and considered a luxury item inherited through generations. Combs, hair picks and pins were used for building and maintaining hairstyles. The carved figure may represent an ancestor spirit wearing a chief's headdress. The geometric design between the figure and teeth of the comb has symbolic meaning. Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo Time Period: Early 20th c Provenance: From a private American collection Materials: Bone with custom stand Dimensions: 3 1/2 in. high x 1 1/2 in. wide Condition: The comb is in fine condition with signs of wear and honey brown patina Inventory #A3310 Price: $450 Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates -
Presented is a sensitively carved Chokwe mask that was thought to represent a young woman or ideal mother. Our Chokwe mask was linked to the boy’s initiation school and are danced at the completion of the ceremonies. The dancer acts out a pantomime with slight pelvis rotations characteristic of women. Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo Time Period: Early 20th c Provenance: Ex: Marc Leo Felix, Brussels, Ex: Minneapolis, MN estate Materials: Wood, pigment and fiber with custom stand Dimensions: 8 1/2 in. high x 5 1/2 in. wide Condition: Mask is in fine condition Inventory #A3642 Price: $2,750 Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates -
The Chokwe carved a vast number of impressive functional objects like this superb mortar of a crouching figure with hands to the head and elbows resting on it’s knees. The expressive face attracts our attention with a deep brown patina, a copper ring is attached to the torso. This Chokwe mortar was used for grinding tobacco or hemp and also functioned as a prestige object that elevated the owner’s status. Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo Time Period: Early 20th c Provenance: From a Dutch collection Materials: wood with copper ring Dimensions: 5 3/4 in. high x 2 3/4 in. wide Condition: figure appears in fine condition Inventory #A3087 Price: $1,200 Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates. -
The Dan Deangle mask represents a female forest spirit that served as a mediator during initiation rites in the boys bush school camps. Known as a jokester, the masked dancer functioned as a vehicle for the spirit responsible for food and protection of the initiates between the camp and the village. Origin: Ivory Coast Time Period: Early 20th c Provenance: Ex: Antonio Casanovas, Madrid, Ex: Fily Keita, Los Angeles, CA Materials: Wood and pigment with custom stand Dimensions: 7 1/2 in. high x 4 1/4 in. wide Condition: Appears in fine condition Inventory #A3624 Price: $2250 Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates -
This intriguing Dan mask with narrow eyes and animal fur is known as yi loa glu meaning cold water spirit. The Dan mask is left on the doorstep of the dancer and when he wears the mask, people throw cold water in his face. Villagers then offer him food and pray for his success. Cold water is a token of good faith and luck Origin: Liberia Time Period: Early 20th c Provenance: From a California collection Materials: Wood, animal hide, fur and nails with custom base Dimensions: 7 1/2 in. high x 3 1/8 in. wide Condition: Mask in good condition with loss of fur, abrasions to nose and loss to wood on left forehead and side Inventory #A3406 Price: $700 Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates. -
This miniature Dan passport mask was used by an initiate as a protective charm against illness and harm and for successful hunting and travel. Miniature masks were replicas of existing larger masks. Offerings of food, beverage, tobacco and palm oil were rubbed on the mask to increase it’s power. Origin: Ivory Coast Time Period: Mid 20th c Provenance: From a New York collection Materials: Wood with custom base Dimensions: 2 3/4 in. High x 1 1/2 in. Wide Condition: Appears in fine condition Inventory #A3647 Price: $475 Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates. -
This Dogon Kanaga mask was worn at a funerary rite called Dama to ensure the deceased safe passage into the spirit world of ancestors. The mask is characterized by a wooden superstructure in the form of a double-barred cross with short vertical elements thought to represent a bird or as a symbol of god. Origin: Mali Time Period: Mid 20th c Provenance: From a San Antonio, TX collection Materials: Wood, pigment, leather and fiber with custom wall mount Dimensions: 43 in. high x 27 1/2in. wide x 8 in. depth Condition: Mask in good condition, with some abrasions, loss of paint and age cracks Inventory #A3558 Price: $1500 Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates. -
Here we present an extraordinary, skin covered Ekoi figure used for initiations, funerals and agricultural ceremonies. The Ekoi or Ejagham figure is carved in wood, covered with antelope skin. The legs are bent, the arms are articulated presenting it's hands upward which is thought to represent an offering. Origin: Nigeria, Cross River region Time Period: Early 20th c Provenance: Ex: Joshua Dimondstein, Published The Artist as Collector, 1975, Emerson Woelffer collection. Materials: Wood & animal skin mounted on custom base Dimensions: 19 in. high x 5 1/2 in. wide Condition: The sculpture is in good condition with some loss and cracking of the animal skin Inventory #A3296 Price: $2,750 Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates. -
The Idoma produced a great variety of masking styles with thousands of forms and functions. Masks represented many different characters incarnating spirits of the dead. This rare Idoma mask was danced at funerals, agricultural ceremonies, fertility rites, for regulating justice and for entertainment. Origin: Nigeria Time Period: 19th/Early 20th c Provenance: From a New Mexico collection Materials: Wood and pigment with custom base Dimensions: 8 in. high x 5 1/2 in. wide Condition: Appears in good condition, some loss of pigment and minor loss to back lower rim Inventory #A3198 Price: $1,800 Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates. -
The Idoma used numerous masks that embodied the spirits of ancestors that were used during funeral ceremonies, to cure illness and for fertility. This Idoma mask displays a heart shaped face that is elaborately painted with scarification, wearing a colonial helmet. The anthropomorphic mask is mounted on coiled bamboo basketry that was attached to the dancer’s head. Origin: Nigeria Time Period: Early 20th c Provenance: From an old Belgium collection Materials: Wood, pigment, fiber with custom wood stand Dimensions: 12 in. high x 6 in. wide Condition: Mask in good condition, small age crack on face and helmet, some loss of pigment Inventory #A3162 Price: $3,000 Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates. -
The Igbo Ada mask of the owu cult was used during the agricultural season with dozens of masks associated with water spirits. This dark mask combines both humanoid and simian features with flaring nose, open protruding mouth and deep incised lines. The masks are described as evil, mean and twisted, usually danced in large numbers at night. Origin: Nigeria Time Period: Early 20th c Provenance: From a New Mexico collection Materials: Wood with custom base Dimensions: 9 in. high x 6 1/2 in. wide Condition: Mask is in fine condition, some surface abrasions Inventory #A3147 Price: $1,200 Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates. -
Our skin covered, janus faced Ekoi mask is mounted on a basketry pedestal worn on top of the dancer’s head. Ekoi or Ejagham masks were worn by accomplished male dancers and used during funerals and initiations. The mask has a tapering neck, displaying two faces covered with antelope skin, with open mouth of filed teeth, and tapered coiffure with human hair. Origin: Nigeria Time Period: Early 20th c Provenance: From a French collection Materials: Wood, dyed antelope skin, pigment, hair, basketry base and custom wood stand Dimensions: 9 1/2 in. high x 4 1/2 in. wide Condition: Appears in fine condition with some abrasions Inventory #A3342 Price: $2,200 Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates. -
Our Kongo fetish figure or “Niksi” was used for healing, hunting, judicial disputes, to combat witchcraft and for protection. Niksi figures were carved to function as a container with magical powers embedded into or attached to it’s body. Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo Time Period: Early 20th c Provenance: From a New Mexico collection Materials: Wood, animal hide, fiber, glass eyes and organic material Dimensions: 9 in. high x 3 in. wide Condition: Figure in fine condition with small crack in rear base Inventory #A2055 Price: $750 Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates. -
The Kuba carved elaborate drinking vessels made of wood in the form of human heads. Our graceful Kuba cup with a naturalistic face was a prestige object used for drinking palm wine during ceremonial gatherings. The hairstyle has incised geometric designs and face displays coffee-bean eyes, triangular nose, open mouth and head is supported by four tiered legs. Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo Time Period: Early 20th c Provenance: From a San Francisco, CA collection Materials: Wood with a fine patina Dimensions: 7 1/8 in. Wide x 4 1/4 in. High Condition: The cup is in fine condition Inventory #A3437 Price: $850 Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates. -
The Kuyu puppet head was held over the head by a shaft used during initiations of the serpent clan in a dance called “kebe kebe.” This Kuyu puppet is janus faced wearing a collar of geometric designs supported by a cylindrical shaft. Each face displays downcast eyes, open mouth with teeth and has distinctive scarification. Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo Time Period: Early 20th c Provenance: From a Belgium collection Materials: Wood and pigment with custom stand Dimensions: 18 in. high x 5 in. wide Condition: Figure in good condition, the middle and lower supporting shaft is weathered with some loss and abrasion. Inventory #A3081 Price: $2,250 Shipping: Included within continental United States. International shipping, please contact us for rates.
