African Folk Art, African masks, African baskets, and African Beaded Textiles

 

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African Folk Art: African masks, Kuba cloth, beadwork, Moroccan rugs

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 ALL AFRICAN FOLK ART

ORIGINALLY PRICED ITEMS ONLY

ITEM # SIZE ft.& in. DESCRIPTION, APPROX. AGE PRICE US$ PHOTO
#2171 15"x11" Kuba elephant ear mask, hand carved wood with raffia cloth, cotton cloth, cowry shells, and polychrome glass beads, D.R. Congo, 20thC vintage, very elaborate, very good condition, larger photos $295.00
#12186 19"x10" African wooden mask, BaKongo people (Kongolese), Northern Atlantic coast of Angola, wood and pigment, repaired crack, 20thC vintage $195.00
#4242 16" x 7" African wooden mask, Balue or Guro People, hand carved wood, Ivory Coast Africa, (Cote d'Ivoire), 20thC vintage, brown patina, ritual facial scaring, highlighted with white clay, two chips along the base, wear to raised areas as expected, a very serene face $175.00
#4216 13" x 9" African Janus helmet mask, Ekoi People, Nigeria, 20thC, hand carved wood covered in antelope? hide, imbedded red and black seed for hair, hand coiled palm fiber and grass as a base, general good condition with only minor dings $695.00
#4239 14" x 8 1/2" Punu female spirit mask, Punu People, hand carved wood enhanced with clay, 20thC vintage, Gabon $175.00
#5270 18 1/2" tall African wooden mask, Toma People, Guinea, 20thC,  hand carved wood and pigment, worn as a helmet, some dings and small chips $195.00
#9117 21" tall Hand carved African wooden male figure, Hemba People, D.R. Congo, 20thC vintage, called a Singiti Figure, some dings, cracked down the back but stable, appears to be rubbed with red Tukula powder $225.00
#9185 20.5" tall African Wooden figure, hand carved wood, Songye tribe, D.R. Congo, 20thC vintage, female standing figure $295.00
#3252 15" tall African carved wooden figure, a "Power figure" called N'kisi, Songye people, D.R. Congo, 20thC vintage,  the N'kisi was thought to grant the owner special powers or gifts, hand carved wood with fabric, the horn in the head is a magical charge, and would be filled with medicines to cure what ills  
#3286 12" tall Lobi shrine figure, called a bateba figure, Lobi people, Burkina Faso, 20thC, thought to hold a thil spriit, this one uses the natural shape of the tree nicely, stand included, age cracks and small chips $145.00
#4229 12.5" tall Lobi shrine figure, called a bateba figure, Lobi people, Burkina Faso, 20thC, thought to hold a thil spriit, this one wears colonial dress, stand included $125.00
#3271 10" Lobi shrine figure, called a bateba figure, Lobi people, Burkina Faso, 20thC, thought to hold a thil spriit, stand included $95.00
#3281 9" tall Lobi shrine figure, called a bateba figure, Lobi people, Burkina Faso, 20thC, thought to hold a thil spriit, stand included $49.00
#3293 10 1/4" tall Lobi shrine figure, called a bateba figure, Lobi people, Burkina Faso, 20thC, thought to hold a thil spriit, stand included $65.00
#4235 7" tall Lobi shrine figure, called a bateba figure, Lobi people, Burkina Faso, 20thC, thought to hold a thil sprit, Lobi twin figures literally joined at the hip $95.00
#4236 14.5" tall Bobo shrine figure, hand carved wood, Bobo People, Burkina Faso, 20thC, a very expressive face,  one arm partially gone, chips, age cracks, and insect damage, includes stand $145.00
#3236 5" tall Pygmy wooden doll, Baka People, Cameroon, 20thC vintage, lovely red hue to the wood, enhanced with plant fiber rope $145.00
#2201 10 1/2" tall Wooden Katatora figure (Katola figure), Songye people, D.R. Congo, 20thC, the wood has a patina which was probably attained by rubbing it with palm oil and red tukula powder for several years, held by two people, this is a divination object used to tell the patient's future, the diagnosis is attained when the Katatora,  responding to yes and no questions, answers depending on it's movements, (simmilar to an ouija board), standing Songye male figure, very good condition $225.00
#2202 8 1/2" tall Wooden Katatora figure (Katola figure), Luba people, D.R. Congo, 20thC, the wood has a patina which was probably attained by rubbing it with palm oil and red tukula powder for several years, held by two people, this is a divination object used to tell the patient's future, the diagnosis is attained when the Katatora,  responding to yes and no questions, answers depending on it's movements, (simmilar to an ouija board), standing Luba female figure, very good condition $225.00
#5801 7"x46" African Yoruba beadwork banner, Nigeria, 20thC vintage, these African textiles should be thought of as fabric totems, very nice work and in great condition, chief's figures with conical hats and black chameleons in raised relief, primary colors on green, larger photos $195.00
#5802 6"x49" African, Yoruba beadwork banner, Nigeria, 20thC vintage,  these African textiles should be thought of as fabric totems, very nice work and in great condition, cheetah faces and ibis figures in raised relief, mostly orange, black and ivory, on blue, larger photos $195.00
#5804 7"x47" African Yoruba beadwork banner, Nigeria, 20thC vintage,  these African textiles should be thought of as fabric totems, very nice work and in great condition, chief's figures with conical hats and parrots in raised relief, mostly blue and black on red and green ground, larger photos $195.00
#5803 5"x38" African Yoruba beadwork banner, Nigeria, 20thC vintage,  these African textiles should be thought of as fabric totems, very nice work and in great condition, a shaman wears a cheetah mask and square hat with diamond design, two bird figures, orange, blue, ivory, and yellow, larger photos $125.00
#6918 4.5"x4.5" African Yoruba beaded basket, hand made, Nigeria, Western Africa, before 1950, polychrome glass beads on fabric covered raffia, lid with face, even the bottom is decorated, very good condition, larger photos $295.00
#5812 2"x30" African beadwork belt with face, Nigeria?, 20thC vintage, blue, ivory, and black beads on red fabric, very good condition, larger photos $98.00
#5809 7" African bead work bracelets, 20thC vintage, Congo West Africa, a pair of blue and white bracelets beaded in a chevron design, very good condition, larger photo $49.00

pair

#5810 7" a single African bead work bracelet, Congo West Africa, 20th C vintage, Congo, red beads and cowry shells, very good condition, larger photo $25.00
#1915 22"x9" A Woman's modesty apron, West Africa, hand worked beads and cowry shells, Cameroon, 20thC vintage, very good condition, larger photos $150.00
#8154 9"x6" An Ethiopian milk jug / canteen, Ethiopia, 20th C vintage, a hollowed out tree branch with cow hide stretched across the open base, and with a cow hide lid and carrying strap, treated with pitch to help water proof it, when empty, it can be upended and played as a drum, very good condition, larger photos $135.00
#2289 15"x5"x2" African carved wooden box, carved with a crocodile design, encrusted with red tukula powder, Kuba People, D.R. Congo, a decorative Tukula container, tukula is a red powder obtained from the bark of the camwood tree, it is used to color the hair in ceremonies, when combined with plant oils and rubbed on the skin it produces a copper glow, tukula is also used to anoint the dead, the elaborate carving and unusual shape designates this as a prestige piece $125.00
#10917 12"x14" African basket-drum, bundle coiled grass sewn with palm and covered with a spotted animal hide, country of origin unknown as of yet, 1st half 20thC, family folk lore of the previous owner was that the hide was hyena, but I'm not sure, baskets covered in hide could be upturned and used upside down as a drum, minor damage to the hide covering, but in general good strong condition, larger photos $250.00
#9164 6" x 31/2" South African Zulu herb basket, hand woven palm on coiled grasses, vintage 20thC,  a mini ukhamba basket with inset lid, green, brown, tan, and natural color, near mint condition, larger photo $34.00
#1242 3" x 3 1/2" South African Zulu herb basket, hand woven palm on coiled grasses, vintage 20thC,  a mini ukhamba basket with inset lid, green, brown, tan, and natural color, a size this small could be filled with herbs and worn as an amulet,  near mint condition, $22.00
#9917 9"x12" African basket in the shape of an urn, coiled palm fiber and grasses, 20thC vintage, purchased from an estate with no documentation as to country of origin, if you have any ideas let me know, near mint condition and very decorative $89.00
#12992 5"x4" African Ghana palm fiber basket, 20thC vintage, coiled and sewn with palm fibers, the natural color has cured with age to a lovely patina, decorated with faded red and black design, a very sturdy basket and in near mint condition $24.00
#2042 2.5"x6" African Tutsi conical basket with cathedral lid, Rwanda, 20thC vintage, the once bright colors have faded, but the original color can be seen inside, coiled and incredibly finely woven with sewing that I need magnification to see, near mint condition $95.00
#2043 2.5"x6" African Tutsi conical basket with cathedral lid, Rwanda, 20thC vintage, the once bright colors have faded, but the original color can be seen inside, coiled and incredibly finely woven with sewing that I need magnification to see, near mint condition $95.00
#7040 3"x6" A pair of rattles, twined basketry with a calabash start, hand woven of palm fiber, very melodic sound when shaken, it is filled with what sounds like glass beads, seeds, pebbles, and coins, it was exported from Ivory Coast,  near mint condition, larger photos $29.00
#12168 7 1/2" x 3 3/4" Heddle pulley for a loom, hand carved wood and pigment, Senufo People, Ivory Coast, (Cote d'Ivoiry), 20th C vintage, in the image of a Hornbill bird, general good condition, larger photos $98.00
#12173 7" x 3 1/2" Heddle pulley for a loom, hand carved wood, plaited plant fiver, and pigment (kaolin), Bete People, Ivory Coast, (Cote d'Ivoiry), 20th C vintage, in the image of an ancestor mask, hair line cracks, some insect damage, but general good condition $98.00
#2291 9" x 6" Hand cast brass, Akan people, Ghana, 20thC, an elaborate lidded container call a Kuduo, used to hold small valuables, the lid is decorated with the scene of a seated dignitary being entertained, near mint condition $595.00
#7050 2 1/2" x 2 3/4" Akan hand cast brass figures, larger photos $295.00
#7051   Akan hand cast brass goldweights, set of 3, larger photos $185.00
#7052 4 1/4" x 5" Baule brass equestrian figure, larger photos $395.00
#8133 9" x 91/2" Benin style Nigerian brass leopards, hand cast brass using the lost wax method, Nigeria, 20th C vintage, bronze Leopards were used at the entrance of Benin shrines for protection, and they were a symbol of the Oba (king), these are a perfect size, not as large as some, but large enough to be important, and a great size for bookends, very good condition, larger photos $495.00

for the pair

#1124 4" round Ashanti gold dust box, hand cast brass, Ghana, West Africa, 20thC, used to hold gold dust or goldweights, gold dust was a form of currency, very good condition, larger phots $125.00
#1123 4" sides Ashanti gold dust box, hand cast brass, Ghana, West Africa, 20thC, used to hold gold dust or goldweights, gold dust was a form of currency, pyramidal forms with an all seeing eye are a universal symbol of power and wealth, just look on the back of an American dollar, very good condition, larger photos $125.00
#2169 7" African brass figure in the shape of a crocodile, Bambara tribe, Mali, 20thC $24.00
#1220 15 1/2" x 7" African ceremonial axe, D. R. Congo, Songye or Kuba People, 20thC, wooden handle with an iron blade, encrusted and blackened $165.00
#12181 14 i/2" x 6 1/2" African ceremonial axe, serpentine wooden handle with decoration and an animal head at the top, probably a snake, iron blade with some corrosion, Songye People?, D.R. Congo, 20thC $145.00
#12178 16" tall African ceremonial mace with bird-like features, hand carved wood with iron "beak", collected as Bambara People, Mali, 20thC, some chips in the handle $145.00
#2294 10" tall Mangbetu pottery figure, Mangbetu Peoples, D.R. Congo, 20thC vintage, the Mangbetu are one of the few African tribes that practice head deformation similar to some Native American groups, a hollow terracotta with vent hole in head, the coiffure is rows of braids tied tightly to the scalp, ritual body scarification, we normally see these figures carved of wood, generally in very good condition, larger photos $495.00
#2295 10 1/2" tall Mangbetu pottery figure, Mangbetu Peoples, D.R. Congo, 20thC vintage, the Mangbetu are one of the few African tribes that practice head deformation similar to some Native American groups, a hollow female terracotta figure pitcher, she sports a coiffure popular in the early 19thC, but shortly after that discouraged by the Belgians, generally very good condition $495.00
#1128 3 1/2" x 9" Bura Terracotta funerary pottery, Bura Culture, Niger, just west of the Niger River, the Bura Culture thrived from the 3rd to the 16th Century, the hollow cylindrical urn would have been filled with jewels and small precious items, and a bone of the deceased; the phallic figure would then be buried upright on top of the prone male body, ensuring prosperity and virility in the afterlife, age unknown, but the patina looks authentic, and quite old,  larger photos POR
#12183 5" x 3 1/4" Bura Terracotta pottery, Bura Culture, Niger, just west of the Niger River, the Bura Culture thrived from the 3rd to the 16th Century, larger photos $595.00
#12184 5 1/2" x 3 1/2" Bura Terracotta pottery, Bura Culture, Niger, just west of the Niger River, the Bura Culture thrived from the 3rd to the 16th Century $595.00
#12176 12" x 32" Pygmy / Mbuti bark-cloth, hand pounded palm fiber, Ituri Rain Forest, D. R. Congo, 20thC, black paint, very good condition, larger photos $145.00
#4222 16" x 48" Hand pounded bark cloth, Kuba people, D.R. Congo, 20thC, known as Ishyeen, hand painted designs, condition as seen, larger photos $165.00
#4223 12" x 43" Hand pounded bark cloth, Kuba people, D.R. Congo, 20thC, known as Ishyeen, hand painted designs, condition as seen $165.00
#4225 13" x 45" Hand pounded bark cloth, Kuba people, D.R. Congo, 20thC, known as Ishyeen, hand painted designs, condition as seen $165.00
#2194 58"x102" Fulani wedding blanket, hand woven cotton, 10 narrow panels sewn together, the nomadic Fulani cattle herders travel in Western Africa from Nigeria to Mali, these blankets are woven by men, 20thC vintage, generally in very good condition with only minor dings, larger photos $350.00
#2195 57"x87" Fulani wedding blanket, hand woven cotton, 10 narrow panels sewn together, the nomadic Fulani cattle herders travel in Western Africa from Nigeria to Mali, these blankets are woven by men, 20thC vintage, generally in very good condition with only minor dings, some slight yellowing of the white cotton from age, but it is uniformly patinated, not blotchy, larger photos $350.00
#2196 68"x94" Fulani wedding blanket, hand woven cotton, small amounts of wool weft in the accent colors, 10 narrow panels sewn together, the nomadic Fulani cattle herders travel in Western Africa from Nigeria to Mali, these blankets are woven by men, 20thC vintage, generally in very good condition with only minor dings, larger photos $350.00
#8153 22"x20" African Kuba raffia cloth, hand woven palm fiber, cut pile embroidery outlined in stitched embroidery, the technique produces what is  known as velvet, vintage age, Congo, West Africa, very good condition, larger photo $65.00
#12191 23" x 18" African Kuba raffia cloth, hand woven palm fiber, cut pile embroidery outlined in stitched embroidery, the technique produces what is  known as velvet, vintage age, Congo, West Africa, very good condition, larger photos $65.00
#12193 16" x 18" African Kuba raffia cloth, hand woven palm fiber, cut pile embroidery outlined in stitched embroidery, the technique produces what is  known as velvet, vintage age, Congo, West Africa, very good condition, $65.00
#12195 20" x 12" African Kuba raffia cloth, hand woven palm fiber, cut pile embroidery outlined in stitched embroidery, the technique produces what is  known as velvet, vintage age, Congo, West Africa, very good condition, $65.00
#12196 16" x 18" African Kuba raffia cloth, hand woven palm fiber, cut pile embroidery outlined in stitched embroidery, the technique produces what is  known as velvet, vintage, Congo, general good condition, the approximate size is $65.00
#8881 24"x23" African Kuba raffia cloth, hand woven palm fiber, cut pile embroidery, the technique produces what is  known as velvet, recent production, Congo, West Africa, very good condition, larger photo $85.00
#4265 9" x 9" Berber terracotta vase with two lug handles and a flat base, hand made pottery, Morocco, 19thC, the designs are thought to derive from body tattoos, orange paste with grog temper of crushed pottery, white clay slip with red and black natural paint, pit fired and exhibiting fire clouds, although it is damaged, the damage does not detract from the esthetic beauty of the piece, larger photos $85.00
#2222 5.10x8.5 Berber kilim rug, hand woven wool, plain weave and brocade, Algeria, mid 20thC, Djebel Amour region, see Murray L. Eiland; 1998, p.349 $750.00
#2199 4.10x8.7 Berber kilim rug, hand woven wool, plain weave and brocade, Algeria, mid 20thC, general good condition $750.00
#11930 22"x16" Moroccan flat-weave pillow cover, Berber, Morocco, mid 20thC, hand woven wool and cotton brocade front, plain weave red back, just needs a pillow insert, this is a complete pillow, not a cut up rug, near mint condition, larger photo $150.00
#7407 22in x 35in Moroccan rug, hand knotted wool, Morocco, mid 20thC, modernist design on Cherry red with ivory, black, green, and harvest gold, near mint condition, larger photos $195.00
#7408 22in x 29in Moroccan rug, hand knotted wool, Morocco, mid 20thC, modernist design on Cherry red with ivory, black, green, and harvest gold, near mint condition, larger photos $195.00
#7215 7 1/2" x 17 1/2" New Guinea wooden mask, Papua New Guinea, Sepik River, a combination of bird and animal stylized images, at the top a crested hornbill, the mouth is a double image that looks like a frog, at the bottom of the mask is an owls face, gerneral good condition, larger photos $225.00
#2212 18" tall Standing masked female figure, carved wood with mineral paints, cowry shell, tied plant fiber, feathers of the cassowary bird, Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik River area, 20th C vintage, the paint represents the body tattoos of a mature woman, generally in very good condition $195.00
#7197 12" x 6" A child's toy wooden shield, carved wood enhanced with white pigment, Papua New Guinea, 20thC vintage, the shape is called an archer's shield, and would be worn like a breastplate leaving the arms free, very good condition $65.00
    Sale items must be paid for by check, no other discounts apply, approvals are still possible within the USA