Tribal Art

Old cattle splint adorned with a bronze bell. Origin undetermined.

Panel painted on panggal (mbi), stems of sago palm leaves, from the hills of Washkuk, Upper Sepik, in Papua New Guinea, collected in the 1970s in situ by an ethnologist. The motifs represented on a black background symbolize the artist's clan. The painting is fixed on a wooden panel dyed black. Among the Kwoma ("Men of the hills"), these assembled panels covered the internal face of the roof within the houses of worship and the men. Each Kwoma clan has a certain number of totems, plants or animal species, classified by gender. The Kwoma economy depends on sago, the fruit of the sago palm, and the yam with which various ritual ceremonies are associated.

Maternities in the Traditional African Art of Nigeria. Refined sculpture featuring a cup carrier. The mother, or priestess, her face streaked with scarifications, is kneeling and has a zoomorphic cup with a lid, which is intended for offerings or divination. Offering cups, some of which were used to store kola nuts or other gifts for visitors, were once placed in royal palaces in the Ekiti and Igbomina regions of Yoruba country. The Yoruba religion is based on artistic sculptures with coded messages (aroko). These spirits are believed to intercede with the supreme god Olodumare.
Grainy polychrome patina. Deep desication cracks.
(source: "Yoruba", B.Lawal, ed. 5 Continents)

African parade weapon from North East Africa.
Blade adhering to a hollow wooden shaft thanks to wickerwork fibers firmly wrapped around a section of the handle. The Shilluk (variant Shiluck, Chilouk) form a Nilotic people mainly established in southern Sudan, on the banks of the Nile, around Malakal, where they constitute the third largest ethnic group after the Dinka and the Nuer.

It is through different secret societies that the Bambara initiates will acquire their knowledge, including that of the Koré, targeting the elders and during which this mask intervenes. The society of the Koré is divided into eight classes of initiates, the sixth of which is that of the hyenas, or surukuw.

The bulbous forehead is surmounted by a tubular outgrowth that symbolizes the tuft of hair removed after the animal's death. Linear carvings are still discernible on the wood with a deep glossy patina, abraded in places.
Marks of use and cracks.
This piece is estimated at the beginning of the 20th century by the Zemanek house where it was acquired.
Established in central and southern Mali, in a savannah area, the Bambara, "Bamana" or ...

A cynocephalic monkey presents an offering cup. These sculptures were erroneously named Gbékré (mouse) because "of Delafosse's misunderstanding of two cults" (Boyer, "Baulé" 5Continents). Often linked to Mbra cults of divination and possession, these monkey statues belong to the group of "force-beings" or amwin, intermediaries between God and men and given to Baoulé by their Creator, just like the sacred masks whose wide gaping jaws they share. It would also be a minor deity called barked . With a propitiatory aim, these sculptures were to constitute the habitat of the spirits to which offerings were presented and on which libations were practiced. Grainy sacrificial patina, drips, cracks and native restorations (staples).

Traditional Naga hunter's headdress, people of the border of India and Myanmar (Burma, or Union of Burma in English). Exceptional conical headgear in woven wicker, on which are attached bone buttons, animal teeth and shells. Nagaland extends over a region of hills and mountains whose capital is Kohima.

French African Tribal Art Collection.
Adorned with traditional accessories linked to prestige, including the refined element of the beaded micro panty, this African doll from the Namji or Dowayo >, an animist mountain people established in the north of Cameroon, symbolizes the values surrounding the traditional African doll.
These African tribal dolls are carved in wood by the blacksmith, initially for the play of little girls. But these dolls are mainly used by sterile women in complex fertility rituals, the doll becoming a surrogate child that they will treat as such. In some cases the groom offered it to his future wife, the doll representing their future offspring. The decoration of the doll can also reproduce the finery of the new initiates after their period of ...

This is a powerful version of African statue mumuye, masterfully treated with arched volumes framing a narrow bust. The morphology enhances the vigorous neck bearing a face compressed by ample cupules. The latter represent ears distended by labrets. Oiled black patina, minimal abrasions and cracks.
The statuary emanating from the northwestern region of the middle Benoué, from the Kona Jukun, to the Mumuye and up to the Wurkun populations is distinguished by a relative absence of ornamentation and a refined stylization. The 100,000 Adamawa language speakers form a group called Mumuye and are grouped into villages, dola, divided into two groups: those of fire (tjokwa) relating to blood and the color red, guardians of the Vabong cult, from among whom are elected the heads,and ...

Extract from a Belgian African tribal art collection of 16 pieces representing different subjects.

This zoomorphic sculpture comes from northeastern Nigeria near Lake Chad, around Maiduguri, in the state of Borno, which is currently relatively inaccessible because it is controlled by armed Islamist groups. The dominant language is Kanuri.
It is a rare piece, associated with protective spirits, which was buried in the ground in order to preserve crops from animals or thieves. The Damasaka families, a very little known minority ethnic group in the region, had this type of ritual object. We have no information about them. The sculpture forms a detailed figurative representation of a wild pig. Solid growths of spongy appearance remain on the subject. A verdigris patina ...

Magical nkishi (pl. mankishi) sculpture of the Songye whose face resembles the features of kifwebe masks. Depending on the case, she would also be in charge of the bishimba lodged in the horn or in the bead surrounding the bust. For the Songye, the addition of various accessories, metal, trinkets, etc... reinforced the "power" of the fetish. Glossy patina. Erosions and cracks.

These protective fetishes for homes are among the most popular in Africa. The Nkisi plays the role of mediator between gods and men. The large specimens are the collective property of an entire village, while the smaller figures belong to an individual or a family. In the 16th century, the Songyes migrated from the Shaba region to settle on the left bank of the Lualaba. Their society is organized in a ...

Collection art tribal africain française.
De grande dimension, le masque africain bakrogui, Simogui, ou encore Angbaï, se rattache aux ancêtres. Seuls les initiés étaient autorisés à contempler. Des éléments zoomorphes au sommet s'associent à une longue mâchoire entrouverte. Vestiges rituels granuleux au sommet. Patine lustrée localement abrasée.
Hauteur sur socle : 78 cm.
Les Toma de Guinée, appelés Loma au Libéria, vivent au sein de la forêt, en altitude. Ils sont réputés pour leurs masques-planches landaï destinés à animer les rites initiatiques de l'association poro qui structurent leur société, et qui représentent des esprits de la brousse. Dès l'apparition du masque landaï , les initiés se rendaient dans la forêt afin d'y travailler un mois durant lequel ils ...

Monegasque Collection of African Tribal Art Inventively designed, mumuye sculptures vary in detail. The particularly stretched bust tightens to free up space for slender arms extended by large fingered hands. The abdominal projection, in beak, overhangs a marked size. The block of the pelvis lets spring the angles of long legs equipped with hoofed feet. The head, framed by a crest and ample distended ears, offers a classical physiognomy. Semi-satin patina of use, erosions and desication cracks.
In the northwestern region of the middle Benoué, from the Kona Jukun, to the Mumuye and up to the Wurkun populations, the 100,000 speakers of the Adamawa language stand out, forming a group called Mumuye. They are divided into two groups: those of fire (tjokwa), guardians of the vabong ...

French African art coll. Rare Bassa hybrid sculpture, featuring a dog whose mouth supports a human head. This face reproduces the African mask named Gela , Geh-Naw , from the Bassa ethnic group of Liberia. A second face associated with talisman masks appears in relief on the back of the animal. Object with protective purpose, simialire p.24 in Tribal Art of Black Africa" J.B.Bacquart. Velvety patina, matt, greyish brown. Erosions. Residues of kaolin whitewash.
The Bassa group of Liberia is established on the coastal region, specifically around Grand-Bassa. Its culture and artistic production have been influenced by the neighboring Mande-speaking Dan and Kpelle. The Bassa have female and male initiation societies, including the chu-den-zo which gave rise to this type of ...

Old abstract figure with a flat head on which the lines are engraved presents a tubular bust rising from a zoomorphic lower part. A cylindrical cavity takes the place of the genitals.
Patina of use, satiny areas alternating with velvety abraded areas, erosions and desication cracks.
An object of a similar type is illustrated on page 127 of "100 people of Zaire and their Sculpture", Marc Léo Félix.
The relatively small Ngombe artistic production was marked by the influence of neighboring groups, Ngbandi and Ngbaka. These sculptures, mostly magical fetishes, were used by the soothsayer bendo to promote hunting. The Ngombe migrated from Lake Victoria in East Africa. After dispersing, some of them settled among the Ngala on the banks of the Zaire River.

Collection of African art Monegasque.
African Art Yoruba.
Centered on the veneration of its gods, or orisà, the Yoruba religion relies on artistic sculptures with coded messages (aroko). This carved pole fragment, despite various plagues, features a figure embodying a Yoruba goddess. A native restoration was carried out on a side area using sheet metal. Erosions from use and desication cracks.
The kingdoms of Oyo and Ijebu arose following the disappearance of the Ifé civilization and are still the basis of the political structure of the Yoruba . The Oyo created two cults centered on the Egungun and Sango societies, still active, who venerate their gods, the Orisa, through ceremonies appeal to masks, statuettes, scepters and divination supports. The slave trade ...

Interesting twin figure with a black brown patina lustrous by the anointings. The ornaments of glass beads constitute the "abiku", protective ornaments of this "era" (statue) of twins. Desication crack. In the language of the Yoruba people, ibeji means twin: ibi for born and eji for two< /i>. They represent the figure of a deceased twin. This ibedji is then treated as the missing child would have been. It is the mother who must take care of him; she can wash and feed him regularly. If she dies, the remaining twin takes over. It also happened that a man had ibeji carved for his wife in order to induce pregnancy. Support for the soul of the twin, the ibeji influences the life of the family, becoming a source of benefits for his parents, the latter continuing to send him prayers and to ...

Used among the Ashanti and Fantis of Ghana, Akuaba (plural Akua'mma)doll statuettes are amulets used by Ashanti women to promote fertility. They are easily identified by their stylized appearance. Their flat and circular head has a high forehead occupying the upper part, the features are generally drawn in the lower third of the head. A mark of beauty, the ringed neck also symbolizes prosperity. Worn on the back of women, these statues are also accompanied by various rites, such as the ingestion of a potion, or the placing of the object on the family altar. After the birth of the child, the sculpture is used as a toy, and sometimes still offered to the healer to witness its effectiveness. Velvety grainy patina.

French tribal art collection.
This African mask features a naja snake with dilated pupils. Polychrome diamond patterns adorn its surface. Old piece.
Abrasions of use, eroded base.

Serpentiform African initiatory mask used mainly by the Bulongic (village of Kifinda), Baga subgroup of the Guinean coast, its size can go up to 2.50 m. These masks were divided into two groups with the names Mosolo kombo and Sangaran, each with specific functions. Their conception took shape in an esoteric context, at night within the forest. Privileges of initiated men, embodying a spiritual entity, the Baga Sangaran masks only attended circumcision, every 24 years according to ethnologist Denise Paulme. During certain dances the mask was placed on the head, held in balance by a ...

French African tribal art collection.
Among the African masks of the Ivory Coast, the African masks dan are relatively similar masks. The details differentiating them lie in the shape of the eyes, the mouth, the headdress. The "zapkei ge are responsible for preventing fires by watching over domestic fires. This ancient mask, somewhat atypical and thick, presents resinous volumes in which are inlaid cowrie shells and textiles, animal teeth, modeling and animating the facial features.

For the Dan, or Yacouba, living in the west of the Ivory Coast and in Liberia, the "dü" force that animates the world manifests itself in the sculpted masks. It is in this way that it seeks to bring knowledge to man in order to give him support, and uses the channel of dreams ...

A wide variety of African animal masks are in use among the Dogon, such as the African mask Dogon associated with the antelope, the walu, animal of the African cosmogony. Vertical partitions form the face of this mask, which is also flanked by narrow ears and extended backwards by long horns. Polychrome patterns remain under the grainy dry surface. Use cracks and erosions.
Alongside Islam, Dogon religious rites are organized around four main cults: the Lébé, relating to fertility, the Wagem, cult of the ancestors under the authority of the patriarch, the Binou invoking the world of spirits, and the Awa mask society regarding funerals. The "dama" is a ceremony dedicated to restoring the order of things following bereavement. It was originally to protect themselves from the "nyama" ...