Category Archives: New Acquisitions

Songye Figure

LSK 1121-1  Songye “Horn” Community Power Figure, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Sacred medicines and divine protection are central to the belief of the Kongo peoples (Democratic Republic of Congo). The Kongo believe that the great god, Ne Kongo, brought the first sacred medicine (or nkisi) down from heaven in an earthenware vessel set upon three … Continue reading Songye Figure

Dogon Tellem

NIK 0106-22  Dogon Tellem Equestrian Figure, Bandiagara region, Mali This figure contains many symbolic messages. The horse, the rider and the outstretched arms partly symbolize the exalted status of the rider. However, the outstretched arms high above the head are a gesture seen everywhere in Dogon art where the most common interpretation is a prayer … Continue reading Dogon Tellem

Pablo Picasso

HMK 0522-2 Pablo Picasso Composition from “La Comedie Humaine”, 1954, VERVE (Mourlot) Original Lithograph Visible size 27×35 cm. In the period between November 1953 and February 1954, Picasso performed an extraordinary series of drawings, collectively known as “La Comedie Humaine”. Inspired by the French author Honoré de Balzacs (1829-48) which consisted of 91 finished works … Continue reading Pablo Picasso

Ife Bronze

ANK 0517-10 Ife bronze ‘Janus bronze sculpture’ shaped like a vase, Yoruba, Nigeria This beautifully decorated ‘Janus bronze sculpture’ shaped like a vase depicts the faces of two beautiful young girls. Their hair is neatly arranged in many small braids and headbands. This unusually and stunningly beautiful bronze sculpture originates from the small West African … Continue reading Ife Bronze

Bronze Leopard

CMK 0307-03c Benin Bronze Leopard Head, Benin, Nigeria This dramatic and at the same time beautiful bronze leopard head is a royal icon and were often used as royal water vessels. Water was poured from the mouth over the Oba’s hands in cleansing rituals. Or they were kept on royal altars. TheBeninKingdomwasstrongthroughoutthe15thand16thCenturiesandwaslocatedinWestAfricaborderingwhatisnowNigeriaandTogo.BeninClanswereruledbyaKing,whowasknownastheObaandwhowasthedivineruleroftheBeninpeople.ThepeopleofBeninarecalledBiniandaredescendedfromtheIfepeoples.ThemakingsoftheseBeninbronzeswerestrictlyconsideredcourtartandweremadeexclusivelyforthepalaceoftheObaandweredesignedtoveneratetheachievementsandmemoriesoftheObasandtheirQueensalsocalledIyobasorQueenMotherswhoruledthroughoutthetimeofthekingdom. The bronze founders … Continue reading Bronze Leopard

Fétich à clous

PEC 0104-1 Kongo-Yombe ‘nkisi n’kondi’ Nail Power Figure, Dem. Repub. of the Congo. Kongo’s sacred sculpture called ‘nkisi’ (plurl. minkisi) is an unusual indigenous specimen among the most powerful and refined of all Sub-Saharan art forms. Mkisi rank among the iconic genres of African art and belongs to the most ambitious class of this tradition attributed to the studio by … Continue reading Fétich à clous

Baoulé

ACK 0619-3  Baoulé Maternity figurine, Côte d’Ivoire A magnificent and very beautiful, blue colored maternity figurine of the ‘asie usu or blolo bla’ type is of the Baoulé tribe which are part of an Akan people established in the Centre of Ivory Coast, in West Africa. This beautiful shiny blueish patina with voluminous fine grooved … Continue reading Baoulé

Dogon Couple

JLK 1007-17 Dogon “Nommo” Pair, Mali This beautifully balanced ‘Nommo sculpture’ of a harmonious couple. Carved from hardwood in the strict, clear, angular and abstract ‘bombou-toro style’. With round ears, almost arrow-shaped, long noses, slit eyes, wide-mouthed lips, slightly bent knees. The man gently holds his left arm behind the woman’s back and the hand … Continue reading Dogon Couple

Guragé Headrest

BRK 1119-3  Appui-nuque Guragé Sebatbét Headrest, Ethiopia This fine and rare Ethiopian Headrest originates from the Guragé tribe that lives in a semi-mountainous region in southwest Ethiopia, about 125 kilometers southwest of Addis Ababa, bordering the Awash River in the north, the Gibe River (a tributary of the Omo River) to the southwest, and Lake Zway in the east. For Ethiopian … Continue reading Guragé Headrest

Lega Spoon

ANK 1219-3  Lega ’Kalukili’ Ivory Spoon, Dem. Rep. Congo. This antique, elegant and almost gracefully crafted spoon is carved from elephant (loxodonta africana) ivory and evokes the stylized “Kalukili” character. It has a beautiful patina and it shows signs of age, wear, and natural abrasion. This striking ivory spoon, supported by a finely crafted handle … Continue reading Lega Spoon

Body Mask

LUK 1103-21 Makonde Female ‘Ndimu’ Body Mask, Tanzania. This original and authentic body mask originates from the Makonde people of southern Tanzania (then German East Africa) and shows a female body mask, called ‘Ndimu’, which depicts a young, pregnant woman. The dancer uses it to represent a woman’s painful childbirth. The present ‘Ndimu’ body mask … Continue reading Body Mask

Body Mask

MZK 9702-AA Makonde Female ‘Ndimu’ Body Mask, Tanzania. This original and authentic body mask originates from the Makonde people of southern Tanzania and shows a female body mask, called ‘Ndimu’, which depicts a young, pregnant woman. The dancer uses it to represent a woman’s painful childbirth. The present ‘Ndimu’ body mask is carved in dark … Continue reading Body Mask

Adan Fetish

CWK 0219-14B Adan Aklama Ewe Fetishes Figure, Ghana This anthromorphic sculpture is Ewe/Dangme alter fetish voodoo related from Southern part of Ghana, but according of the last owner collected in the North of Ghana close to the Lobi-Wala, Wa region, similar like the PramPram, influenced by the Moba, the migration of ethnic groups, which are well … Continue reading Adan Fetish

Adan Fetish

CWK 0219-14D Adan Aklama Ewe Fetishes Figure, Ghana This anthromorphic sculpture is Ewe/Dangme alter fetish voodoo related from Southern part of Ghana, but according of the last owner collected in the North of Ghana close to the Lobi-Wala, Wa region, similar like the PramPram, influenced by the Moba, the migration of ethnic groups, which are well … Continue reading Adan Fetish

Adan Fetish

CWK 0219-14C Adan Aklama Ewe Fetishes Figure, Ghana This anthromorphic sculpture is Ewe/Dangme alter fetish voodoo related from Southern part of Ghana, but according of the last owner collected in the North of Ghana close to the Lobi-Wala, Wa region, similar like the PramPram, influenced by the Moba, the migration of ethnic groups, which are well … Continue reading Adan Fetish

Adan Fetish

CWK 0219-14A Adan Aklama Ewe Fetishes Figure, Ghana This anthromorphic sculpture is Ewe/Dangme alter fetish voodoo related from Southern part of Ghana, but according of the last owner collected in the North of Ghana close to the Lobi-Wala, Wa region, similar like the PramPram, influenced by the Moba, the migration of ethnic groups, which are well … Continue reading Adan Fetish

Dogon Bronze

HCK 1217-1 Dogon Bronze Pair, Mali This 19th Century, beautiful Dogon-wedding couple is made of bronze and cast in the extremely time-consuming lost wax process*). The Dogon have a highly sophisticated artisan tradition of art and is primarily mirror-images, aproned figures, and standing sculpture. Dogon art revolves around religious values, ideals, and freedoms. Dogon sculptures … Continue reading Dogon Bronze

Sleeping Beauty

HCK 0518-1 “Sleeping Beauty” Headrest, Tanzania In 2012 the Fowler Museum at UCLA hosted the exhibition Sleeping Beauties: Headrests from many parts of central, western, and southern Africa. Headrests carved by their owners while others were exquisitely crafted by professional carvers. These headrests often supported elaborate coiffures that were far too complex and time consuming … Continue reading Sleeping Beauty

São Bronze

ANK 0517-100  São bronze male figure, Chad This charming bronze male figure derives from the almost forgotten São culture. With his small cap on the head, a thoughtful expression with both hands supporting the cheeks and furious big feet, this little male figure radiates with charm. The figure was found by archaeologists in a funerary … Continue reading São Bronze

São Bronze

ANK 0517-99  São bronze male figure, Chad (Tchad). This little, charming, bronze, male figure is from the almost forgotten Sâo culture.     It was found by archaeologists in a funerary urn together with the deceased’s personal property. During the 20th century, archaeologists found several thousand urns in an area near the Chari River, or Shari River, … Continue reading São Bronze

Ivory Sculpture

NAK 0619-2  Chokwe Ivory Sculpture of a Tshibinda Ilunga, Southwestern Congo/Angola/Zambia This remarkable ivory sculpture designed as a flute and worn as a pendant was made in Angola by the Chokwe group and is in exceptionally good condition. It is a standing male figure with powerful tattoo over abdomen, a very highly patinated surface and … Continue reading Ivory Sculpture

Ivory Mask

NAK 0619-3 Anthropomorphic Ivory Amulet Mask “Ikoko”, Pende, Dem. Rep. of Congo. This fine, old ‘Ikoko’ ivory pendant figure has a beautiful yellowish patina due to age. Stylistically it is cut as a ‘Mbuya’ chief’s mask with traditional hairstyle with three jags, closed eyes with hanging eyelids, ornamented headband and with holes for suspension. Among … Continue reading Ivory Mask

Igbo Mask

HCK 1204-25 Igbo, Agbogho mmwo helmet mask, Nigeria This exceptional mask has been used by the male Mmwo secret society, agbogho mmwo. Helmet masks (also called agbogho monnwu or ikorodo meaning ‘maiden spirit mask’) are used during annual ‘fame of maidens’ ceremonies to honour ancestors and the ideal characteristics of young women. Found in Northern Igboland (around the cities of … Continue reading Igbo Mask

Igbo Figure

HMC 0818-8   Ibo (Igbo) female ‘Alusi’ figure, Nigeria This fine and characteristic female shrine figure or ‘divine’ being named ‘Alusi’, is carved in the classic ‘round’ style of the Ibo. The figure bears a typical coiffure as well as characteristic scarification marks on her chest and abdomen around the accentuated navel. There are still fine … Continue reading Igbo Figure

Djenne Bronze

NAK 0617-2 SOLD Djenne Bronze Anthropomorphic Sculpture of a Seated Woman, Mali The Djenne culture has produced some of the most remarkable and unique pieces of sculpture ever found from this period, and this lady is no exception. Crafted out of beautifully well-molded bronze, she sits before us calmly and peacefully, almost majestic. However, traditionally, … Continue reading Djenne Bronze

Lega Hunting

CWK 0319-1   Bwami, Lega Hunting Fetish Figure, Dem. Rep. Congo This fine antique multi-headed and multi-faced figure with four times three-faces occurs very infrequently amongst the Lega in eastern Congo. These statues have special meaning as they belong to a ‘hunting charm’ that the priests of the Lega community and its ‘Bwami’ league carried out. … Continue reading Lega Hunting

Dogon Fetish

IHK 0917-6 a Miniature Dogon wood Fetish figure, Mali This statuette belongs to a group of small figurines called healing fetishes which are thought to give substance to invisible spiritual intermediaries. Carved by Dogon priests these figures can be invoked for aid but will die if neglected. Other intermediaries range from simple officiants at family altars to prophets, sacred … Continue reading Dogon Fetish

Mbete Figure

JLK 1007-7b Mbete Reliquary Standing Male Figure, Gabon or Republic of Congo Culture: Kota peoples, Mbete group Mbete sculptors developed a figurative reliquary form that fully integrated ancestral sacra within the sculpture. In this tradition, a hollowed columnar torso served as an internal receptacle. The core is framed by the gesture of minimally defined arms held … Continue reading Mbete Figure

Sao figure

ANK 0517-103 – SOLD Sao Equestrian, bronze figure, Chad This is an extremely rare and special equestrian figure which originates from the almost forgotten Sao culture. It was excavated in Chad by archaeologists who found it in a funerary urn along with fine personal ornaments. During the 20th Century, archaeologists found several thousands of urns … Continue reading Sao figure

Kotoko

HCK 0117-1 – SOLD Kotoko ‘Putchu Guinadji’ Warrior/Equestrian, Chad (Cameroon) This is a relatively ‘slim’ Kotoko rider in full armour on his horse with a dagger in his right hand is a carefully executed ‘Putchu Guinadji’. Modeled casting with elegant curves, tapering legs, and highly detailed tack, bridles, and saddle. Small and therefore portable, these … Continue reading Kotoko

Boli

NAK 0117-2   Boli, Bamana Tribe, Mali This fine and exceptionally well-preserved Watiriwa or Makongoba, zoomorphic four-legged ritual object, called a Boli (pl. boliw), once played a central role in the ritual life of a Bamana village. Such power objects were owned by male initiation associations whose members progress through induction processes that span decades. … Continue reading Boli

Boli

NAK 0117-1 Boli, Bamana, Mali This fine and exceptionally well-preserved zoomorphic four-legged ritual object, called a Boli (pl. boliw), once played a central role in the ritual life of a Bamana village. Such power objects were owned by male initiation associations whose members progress through induction processes that span decades. Over time, they attain esoteric … Continue reading Boli

Kotoko

  HCK 1116-5  Warrior/Horseman (Putchu Guinadji), Chad (Cameroon) Dimensions: H:5 (2”), L:4 (1,6”), W:1,2 (0,5”) Weight: 65g. Media: Copper/brass/bronze/alloy This Putchu Guinadji equestrian warrior was used as a talisman against madness and witchcraft by the Kotoko people in Cameroon and Chad. These cast equestrian figures, excavated in Chad, was cast by the Kotoko, descendants of the … Continue reading Kotoko

Kotoko

    HCK 1116-4 Kotoko Warrior/Horseman (Putchu Guinadji), Chad (Cameroon) Media: Copper/brass/bronze alloy. Dimensions: H: 5 cm (2”), L: 4 cm (1,6”), W: 1,2 cm (0,5”), Weight 65 gram. This Putchu Guinadji equestrian warrior was used as a talisman against madness and witchcraft by the Kotoko people in Cameroon and Chad. These cast equestrian figures, excavated in … Continue reading Kotoko

Boli

HCK 1116-2 Boli Figure, Bamana tribe, Mali Medium: Clay, metal nails and organic materials H: 30 cm (11,8″), L: 35 cm (13,8″), W: 17 cm (6,7″), weight: 3,55 kg. This fine and exceptionally well-preserved zoomorphic four-legged ritual object, called a Boli (pl. boliw), once played a central role in the ritual life of a Bamana village. … Continue reading Boli

Janus mask

HCK 0416-4 SOLD Janus helmet mask from Ukelle group, Ejagham peoples, Nigeria-Cameroon Dimensions: H: 30 cm (47 cm incl. stand), Ø: 26 cm This unusual stylish and classically shaped Ukelle helmet mask is unique in its detailed carvings. Similar masks often miss these details and are instead covered by antelope skins. This mask is from the … Continue reading Janus mask

Namji Doll

       EDC 0715-5 Namji (Doyayo, Dowayo, Namchi, Namshi) Fertility Doll, Cameroon Wood, leather, glass pearls and cowry H: 42,5 cm (16,7”)/ 48,5 cm (19,1”), W: 20 cm (7,9”), D: 3,5 cm (1,4”) This is an exceptionally fine and well-kept fetish doll from a family collection since the 1950s. The well-proportioned and classic wooden structure with … Continue reading Namji Doll

Kotoko

   NAK 1015-18 Kotoko Warrior/Horseman (Putchu Guinadji), Chad (Cameroon) Copper/brass/bronze alloy. Dimensions: H: 3 cm (1,2”), L: 4.8 cm (1,9”), W: 1,5 cm (0,6”), Weight 50 gram This Putchu Guinadji equestrian warrior was used as a talisman against madness and witchcraft by the Kotoko people in Cameroon and Chad. These cast equestrian figures, excavated in … Continue reading Kotoko

Bete Mask

       HCK 1015-5 Bete Mask, Ivory Coast Dark brown patinated wood H: 32/44 cm (12,6”/17,3”), W: 19 cm (7,5”) This is a fantastic Gre masks from the Bete people in Africa’s Ivory Coast. It shows all the mystery and subtlety that characterizes Bete masks. The well-balanced form and a fine old patina that shows sign … Continue reading Bete Mask

Mende Mask

       HCK 1015-04 Mende “Bundu” or “Sowei” helmet mask, Sande society, Sierra Leone and Liberia Old black and patinated wood H: 37 cm (14,6”), Ø: 22 cm (8,7”) This mask presents an ideal of feminine beauty admired by the Mende: elaborate hairstyle, full forehead and small facial features. The gleaming surface signifies healthy, glowing skin. … Continue reading Mende Mask

Dan-Guere Mask

       HCK 1015-06 SOLD Dan-Guere (also Ngere, Kran or Wè), Ivory Coast, Liberia Dark old black patinated wood H: 28/44 cm (11″/17,3″), W: 16 cm (6,3″) This is an interesting, extremely angular, old ‘cubistic’ chimpanzee mask, called ‘kaogle’ or ‘kagle’. It was used with large costumes during important feasts of the Dan-Guere (also Wè or … Continue reading Dan-Guere Mask