Tribal Art

Attached with a wicker clamp, the lower jaw of this mask embodying an ancestor or a high-ranking character, can be articulated, revealing wooden sticks representing a dentition.
Two-tone satin patina. Abrasions.
African mask inspired by Ogoni culture

The Ogoni live along the coast of Nigeria, near the mouth of the Cross-River, south of the Igbo and west of the Ibibio. Their carvings vary from village to village, but are primarily renowned for their jointed jaw masks such as some Ekpo Ibibio masks. Their masks were usually worn at funerals, festivities accompanying planting and harvesting, but also more recently to welcome distinguished guests. Acrobatic demonstrations linked to the karikpo celebration, and accompanied by the kere karikpo drum, were additionally ...

In the Arctic regions of North America called “Inuit Nunangat” live the Inuit people related to the Yupitt, Yupiks, of Alaska and Siberia. The Yupik and Esquimo, Eskimo, make, despite respecting certain traditional conventions, ceremonial masks of very varied size and appearance. For each occasion, following a dream, the shaman will indicate to the sculptor the function and shape of the mask required and which he will wear himself. The masks are associated with the “yua” souls of different animals or fish, which should be honored through rituals. This unique Yupik-type mask offers a grimacing face, removable elements resembling a hand and a "fin" are installed on the surface, also decorated with an animal fur hairstyle, feathers and a wicker hoop. . Polychrome, matte pigments.

In African art, the sowei constitute, through Mende culture, the feminine ideal. This "bell" shaped mask called bundu, among the most important among the Mendé, features a face encased in rings, symbolizing an abundance of flesh associated with prosperity.
Painted black or tinted using a leaf wash, the mask was then rubbed with palm oil. Semi-matte patina, abrasions from use, gaps.
The Mende, Vaï and Gola cultures, of Sierra Leone, Liberia and the west coast of Guinea, are known in African art for the helmet masks and more particularly those of the female initiation society Sandé< /i> which prepares young girls for marriage. The male society is the Poro society. Relatively rare in sub-Saharan Africa, these masks are made by men and worn by women.
To close the rituals, ...

The Galoa (or Galwa) live downstream from Lambaréné on the Ogooué River, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. They are called "people of the lake". They produced masks called Okouyi, Okukwé, used by initiatory societies to reveal witchcraft and their authors through divination. Several neighboring ethnic groups, including the Adouma and the Kota, use flat areas of contrasting colors in Gabon, including kaolin supposed to have apotropaic properties.
The groups of Gabon practice the worship of the bwiti, worship of the ancestors, and their relics are surmounted by a sculpture acting as a watchman. The Tsogho also produced a variety of masks comparable to those of their neighbors in the Ogooué basin. Height on base: 93 cm (reduction on request) Velvety matte patina. Abrasions from use.

The Urhobos, northwest of the Niger Delta River, form the main ethnic group in Delta State among the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They speak Urhobo, a language of the Niger-Congo group. Together with the closely related Isoko, they are collectively known as Sobo. Their large sculptures representing the spirits of nature, edjo, or founding ancestors of the clan, to whom sacrifices were offered, were grouped together in sanctuaries within the villages. Their masks embody the spirits of water and earth. This specimen would have been borrowed from the Western Ijo. This type of mask, which was also associated with a young girl (omotokpokpo), was used during the Niger floods.
Cracks and abrasions.
Lit. : ...

African mask "Unangled" whose carefully braided hairstyle contours the upper part of the face. A lustrous dark patina enhances the soft harmony of the features. The masks were sculpted according to precise instructions following dreams in which the spirits appeared. Height on base: 38 cm. Abrasions, small accidents.
The Dan masks, of various styles, generally occur during very theatrical entertainment festivals where women play a leading role. The so-called "mocking" mask called Déanglé defines an ideal of beauty and benevolence because it is sculpted in honor of the young girls of the village or renowned men. Each mask had a name linked to its function. Also used during circumcision rites, they appear in the company of the gle sö singing masks and the large go ge masks ...

Kongo type miniature charm mask.
Dark patina, desiccation crack.

Height on base: 17 cm.
These mediating masks, also present in initiation processes, were used during healing rituals. In the 13th century, the Kongo people, led by their king Ne Kongo, settled in a region at the crossroads of the borders between the current DRC, Angola and Gabon. Two centuries later, the Portuguese came into contact with the Kongo and converted their king to Christianity. This king, also called ntotela, controlled the appointment of court and provincial officials. Belonging to the Kongo group, the Yombe are established on the West African coast, in the south-west of the Republic of Congo and in Angola.

Collection of Belgian African art.

This African mask Ngbaka offers a curved structure curved at eye level. The discreet features are highlighted with linear scarifications. Thick abraded patina, erosions.
A tribe settled on the left bank of the Ubangui, the Ngbaka practice agriculture, and their artistic achievements were inspired by those of the neighboring Ngbandi and Ngombe tribes , with a distinctive feature however, the forehead line dotted with linear keloids. They are organized into tribes without political unity, under the supervision of the chief wan and worship a god named Gale through the cult rendered to the spirits of nature. Their statues generally represent the primordial ancestors Setu and his sister Nabo and are installed on altars for propitiatory ...

Ex-collection of French African tribal art. These conical-shaped masks come from the Nsukka region, but could be of Igala origin. The neighboring Igala indeed have comparable royal masks. This example with lateral fins offers striated patterns linked to the facial scarifications of the igala groups. The mask is topped with a bouquet of feathers. Oiled patina. Desiccation cracks, chips, indigenous restoration.
The Igbo live in the forest in the southeast of Nigeria. The village constitutes the largest social unit, the smallest being the extended family. Each village has a high degree of autonomy and is placed under the authority of the oldest lineage leader. The Igbo religion includes on the one hand the god Chuku, supreme creator, considered omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, ...

The sowei embody the aquatic spirits. This ancient African Mende mask is of the type called bundu associated with Bundu ritual initiations. These masks invariably present features concentrated in the lower area, overcoming folds of flesh which symbolize prosperity and health or the spirit emerging from the waters. On this rare version sits a female figure. Painted black or tinted using a leaf wash, the mask was then rubbed with palm oil. Localized abrasions, drying cracks, signs of use. The Mende, Vaï and Gola cultures of Sierra Leone, Liberia and the west coast of Guinea are known for their helmet masks, including those of the Sandé female initiation society which prepares young people girls at the wedding. These masks are made by men and worn by women.

During difficult discussions, dark-colored African masks punu were used. This type of vigilante mask danced during the ikwara dance. The face with gracefully proportioned features, topped with a single domed shell, has lips colored with pink ocher pigments. Matte dark patina, erosions and gaps.
Height on base: 46 cm.
The white masks of Gabon, itengi, (pl. bitengi) were associated with the different secret societies of Gabon, including the Bwiti, Bwete, and the Mwiri ("to lead"), the latter ranging in several levels of initiation, to which all Punu men belonged, and whose emblem was the caiman. The Punu did not use any mask in the Bwiti rituals, unlike the Tsogo. These powerful secret societies, which also had a judicial function, had several dances, including the leopard ...

Intended to unmask sorcerers, this type of African mask was carved on the eve of ceremonies. It translates the will to intimidate the occult powers. Accompanied by words, gestures, dances and sacrifices, this type of African mask also intervened during initiations out of sight of the profane. Velvety patina. Desication cracks.
The wearers of these masks, always in large numbers, appeared at night, lit by torches. Their intervention was also linked to the judicial function by designating the culprits of bad deeds within the village. This type of mask was used by the male ngil society, a rite of purifying fire symbolized by the gorilla, which no longer exists today. This secret society was in charge of initiations and fought against witchcraft. Guarantor of peace, the Ngil also ...

French African tribal art collection.
This African mask forms a miniature reproduction of a large mask from the Gelede society, i.e. a human head surmounted by a scene, in this case a seated figure of divinity, surrounded by minor subjects . Intended for individual use, this type of object sat on the family altar. Matte polychrome patina.
The Gelede country in Nigeria pays tribute to mothers, especially the oldest among them, whose powers are said to be comparable to those of the Yoruba gods, or orisa, and the ancestors, osi< /i> and which can be used for the benefit but also for the misfortune of society. In the latter case these women are named aje. Masked ceremonies, through performances using masks, costumes and dances, are meant to urge mothers to use their extraordinary ...

The spendents live on the banks of the Kwilu, while the have settled on the banks of the Kasai river downstream of Tshikapa. The influences of the neighbouring ethnic groups, Mbla, Suku, Wongo, Leele, Kuba and Salempasu, were imprinted on their large tribal art sculpture. Within this diversity the masks Mbuya, realistic, produced every ten years, have a festive function, and embody different characters, including the chef, the soothsayer and his wife, the prostitute, the possessed, etc. The masks of initiation and those of power, the minganji, represent the ancestors and occur successively during the same ceremonies, agricultural festivals, initiation rituals and circumcision mukanda, induction of the chief. Wearing a loose hat consisting of a taut wicker frame of raffia canvas, and ...

The design of this helmet mask, featuring a crest and forward arching horns, expresses power. The very geometric face is extended by a short outgrowth depicting a beard. The geometric polychromy, faintly visible, peels off locally.
Desication cracks.
These heavy masks, whose design usually revolves around a hemispherical helmet with a crest or horned growths, occurred during agricultural rituals in order to restore the balance of the earth. Their significance was revealed during the initiation of young boys.
Mandingo people, most of whom live in eastern Burkina Faso, but also in southern Mali, the culture of the Bobo Fing is similar to that of the Bambara. They are organized into lineages headed by councils of elders. In each village altars are erected under the ...

Two narrow faces traversed by a long rectangular nose are joined at the top by a crest. The features, underlined by inlaid brass leaves, form the specificity of the marka sculptures. Signs of use, old matte patina, desication cracks, erosions.
The Marka , Maraka in Bamana, Warka , or Sarakolé, are Muslim city dwellers of Soninke origin, established in southern Niger, scattered since the end of the Ghana Empire in Mali, Mauritania and Senegal. They now speak Bamana and have adopted many of the Bambara traditions, such as the Ntomo and the Koré, initiation societies that used masks during their ceremonies. The Bambara and Marka African art sculptors are part of the Numuw, who are not tied to an ethnic group and are free to settle wherever they wish.

Equipped with frightening features, this type of African initiation mask, Mbuya, of the Pende, was supposed to incorporate a particularly threatening character.
Black patina, drying cracks, abrasions. Height on base: 50 cm.

The Western Pende live on the banks of the Kwilu, while the Easterners have established themselves on the banks of the Kasai downstream of Tshikapa. The Mbuya masks, realistic, produced every ten years, have a festive function, and embody different characters difficult to differentiate without their costume, including the fumu or chief. ufumu, the diviner and his wife, the prostitute, the jester, tundu, the possessed, etc... Mbuya initiation masks linked to mukanda< initiation /i> and those of power, the minganji, represent the ancestors and ...

Nature spirits, the ngesh , were believed to be embodied in Kuba masks during the dances. The footprints of the dancers were then erased so as not to "hurt" the women venturing into the dance area. The mask on the other side appeared during initiation ceremonies, sometimes at the funerals of notables. This warrior mask, not belonging to the royal masks, named Ishyeen imaalu and also Pwoom itok , belonged to the babende society. It has exorbitant conical pupils set off by eyebrows extended with horns that refer to warrior headdresses. The pigments of the decorative motifs remain very weakly visible. Misses and cracks of desiccation. Height on base: 44 cm. The Kuba kingdom was founded in the 16th century by the main Bushoong tribe which is still ruled by a king today, and whose ...

Formerly intended to unmask sorcerers, this African mask of the fang type was cut on the eve of ceremonies. It is out of the sight of lay people that, accompanied by words, gestures, dances and sacrifices, he also intervened during initiations. Velvety matte patina. Abrasions.
Among the Fang, established in a region extending from Yaoundé in Cameroon to Ogooué in Gabon, the appearance of these masks generally coated with kaolin (the white color evokes the power of the ancestors), in the middle of the night, could cause fear. This type of mask was used by the Ngil religious and judicial male society which no longer exists today. This secret society was responsible for initiations and fought against witchcraft. The ngil was a rite of purifying fire symbolized by the gorilla. ...

Rare mask from the Bafut chiefdom, on the Bamenda plateau. This mask with the rounded cheeks of a blower, a plastic tradition of the Grasslands, wears a royal headdress offering stylized zoomorphic motifs. It was worn on the top of the head. Located in the border region of Nigeria, the North-West province of Cameroon, Grassland, is made up of several ethnic groups including the Bagam. Several centralized chiefdoms, or kingdoms, based on customary associations, secret societies, are organized around the Fon who is said to have broad supernatural powers including the ability to transform into an animal. Lineage societies, during ritual ceremonies, use this type of funerary and royal masks, with varied functions depending on the chiefdoms. Satin brown patina, abrasions, small accidents.

Among the most iconic African masks, this sculpture stood out among the eleven types of Dan masks (Fisher and Himmelheber) because of its circularly hollowed out eyes to allow for better vision. These masks named gunye ge "racing masks," with an oval face and slightly concave center, were produced among the northern Dan and intended for participation in racing events. As for the zapkei, they intervene to prevent the spread of domestic fires during the dry seasons. Armed with a stick, they threaten unwary women and confiscate an object as a fine. Some of these masks ,the go ge , provided with a particularly sophisticated braided headdress, were only exceptionally used .
Mask on base : 43 cm
Black patina with a satin touch, granular residual inlays at the top.