domestic objects gallery
MAK 0322-6 Bembé (Bwende) Ceremonial Spoon, Democratic Republic of the Congo. For dynamism, this Bembé spoon is designed with a fully sculpted handle of a ‘well-equipped’ male figure holding his hands under his chest and with ‘tattoos’ on his stomach. This spoon is intended for magical rituals and forms part of ceremonial actions in Bembe … Continue reading Bembé Spoon
ACK 0621-2 Lobi Tripod stool, Burkina Faso Elongated stool with three feet, ornamented with two typical Lobi heads.Stools of this kind particularly served to sit during the village palavers. They are still currently used. The Lobi people live in the western region of Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) and in Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) … Continue reading Lobi Stool
ACK 1220-3 Swazi Headrest, ‘Hho Hho’ Region in Swaziland South Africa This classical head- or neck rest can be identified as Swazi (as opposed to Zulu) by the way the grooves run on the legs. In Zulu items, the fluted grooves run horizontally instead of vertically. For the rest, the headrests of both nations are … Continue reading Swazi Headrest
MCK 1099-2A Beautiful Antique, Primitive West African Wooden Spoon (Guro), Ivory Coast This beautiful, ancient, primitive wooden spoon is considered to have originated from West Africa and most probably from the Guro tribe. It has all the signs of age and diligent use. The simple and sculptural handle could very well have been designed by … Continue reading Guro Spoon
MSK 0720-2 Sao Sokoto Bronze “Flask-Container”, Cameroon. This beautiful and mysterious ‘container’ originates from the Sao Sokoto people of Cameroon and has been used to store ‘valuables’ in the family. The bottle is supported and guarded by two women and two men and the bottle ‘plug’ is shaped like a typical Sao person with its … Continue reading Sao Sokoto
LCK 0702-27C Baule Comb, Ivory Coast This fine antique comb is derived from the Baule tribe of Côte d’Ivoire. These combs have multiple purposes. Partly they are used to style hair. It is also used as a decorative addition to both men and women. Women especially demonstrate by placing the comb in the hair that … Continue reading Baoulé Comb
LCK 0702-27D Baule Comb, Ivory Coast This fine antique comb is derived from the Baule tribe of Côte d’Ivoire. These combs have multiple purposes. Partly they are used to style hair. It is also used as a decorative addition to both men and women. Women especially demonstrate by placing the comb in the hair that … Continue reading Baoulé Comb
CRK 02017-1 Tribal Bronze Hoe, Cameroun A rare brass / bronze hoe with fine decorations and symbolic ornaments which indicate that it is from the savannas of the west, the Grassland in Cameroun. Age: Est. first half of 20th century. Measure: H: 29, W: 10, D: 17 cm – weight: 850 grams. Condition: This Hoe appears … Continue reading Bronze Hoe
ERK 0699-3 Luba/Hemba Caryatid Stool, Dem. Rep. Congo. This powerful figure, supporting a stool, was probably introduced in the 19th-century Songye art of nearby Luba. This is one of a small group of stylistically similar stools with a muscular female figure with scattered solid footprints, short muscular legs, and perpendicular arms and hands carrying … Continue reading Luba Stool
ACK 0719-1 Luba-Shankadi Headrest, Zaïre (now Dem. Rep. Congo). This splendid ancient “Luba-Shankadi Headrest” is a remarkable work, done with special attention to details where you can observe the refinement of the elements and richness of the details carved by the artist. This piece presents the aesthetic canons, characteristic of the Shankadi style, which most … Continue reading Luba Headrest
ACK 0619-1 Dinka ‘tree-legged’ Headrest, Sudan. This elegant three-legged headrest, with its charming and simple design, is a well-known example of the arts, which represents many of the items that Dinka Lotuko people of South Sudan surrounds himself with. It expresses both tradition and artistic design and contains everything that characterizes Dinka people and … Continue reading Dinka 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
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
HCK 0619-1 SOLD Dan Ceremonial ‘wake mia’ Spoon with Carved Dual ‘Janus’ Face, Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire. This beautiful wooden spoon decorated with two female faces on handle derives from the artists in Dan communities of the Guinea coast who have mastered the art of carving impressive, large wooden spoons that are virtuoso works of … Continue reading Dan Spoon
CWK 0619-1 Dinka Lotuko Headrest, South Sudan. This charming, elegant three-legged headrest is via its simple design a well-known example of the arts of the Dinka Lotuku people of South Sudan. The Lotuka people live in settlements. There are sixteen known such villages of which Iliu, Hiyala, Lobira, etc. are the most important in terms … Continue reading Dinka Headrest
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
LCK 1116-2 Dinka Stool, Sudan This wooden stool is a characteristic example of an everyday object of the Dinka people, the design being simultaneously inviting and exclusive. The entire carving consists of a single piece of hardwood with neatly carved patterns (also known from the Dinka tribe’s jewelry). This chair is a very personal and … Continue reading Dinka Stool
CWK 0119-10 Karamojong headrest, Uganda A wonderful almost elegant headrest from the Karamojong people of Uganda in Eastern Africa. Headrests are used by many nomadic people of Eastern Africa while resting or sleeping. It is popularly believed that the headrest serves a protective function by elevating the head off the ground during sleep, thereby preventing … Continue reading Uganda Headrest
CWK 0119-7 Zulu Headrest Isigqiki style, Swazi, Swaziland This elegant Swazi headrest is similar in style to the appearance of the Zulu headrest. Swazi headrests are usually 2 legs on either end that are commonly darker than the cross bar they support. The crossbar usually contains a lug pendant found in the center of the … Continue reading Zulu Headrest
JLC 0318-10 Dogon Bronze Vessel This unusual and artistically shaped figure depicts a container symbolized with a rider on the lid and carried by a horse derived from Dogon tribe in Mali. The lid of the presented piece is provided with a scene and characters. The dignitary, of an important size, is sitting high and … Continue reading Dogon Vessel
CMK 203-4a Ceremonial Palm Wine Vessel (Cameroon Grasslands peoples) H: 63 cm (24,8″), W: 20 cm (7,7″) Gourd, glass beads, cane, wood. Of the many ritual items in a Grassfields kingdom’s royal treasury is the Ceremonial Palm Wine Vessel. These containers were used exclusively by the Fon (chief) to store palm wine served on … Continue reading Ceremonial Vessel
CAK 9710-20b Kuba (?) Bati (?) Spear, Northwestern Congo H: 92 cm (36,2″) Wood, iron Age: 50-70 years
Ugqoko Meat Tray, Zulu, South Africa L: 62 cm (24,4″), W: 16,5 cm (6,5″) The styles and sizes of meat platters, called ugqoko, are varied. Generally they consist of one large rectangular bowl with rounded corners flanked on each end by handles. More uncommon examples consist of two round bowls with a tray in … Continue reading Ugqoko Meat Tray
Ugqoko Meat Tray, Zulu, South Africa L: 55 cm (21,7″), W: 17 cm (6,7″) The styles and sizes of meat platters, called ugqoko, are varied. Generally they consist of one large rectangular bowl with rounded corners flanked on each end by handles. More uncommon examples consist of two round bowls with a tray in … Continue reading Ugqoko Meat Tray
Ugqoko Meat Tray, Zulu, South Africa L: 44 cm (17,3″), W: 21,5 cm (8,5″) The styles and sizes of meat platters, called ugqoko, are varied. Generally they consist of one large rectangular bowl with rounded corners flanked on each end by handles. More uncommon examples consist of two round bowls with a tray in … Continue reading Ugqoko Meat Tray
NAK 0610-26 – SOLD Baule Comb, Ivory Coast and Ghana This comb with six tines beneath the decorative ‘top’ with carved geometric, zigzag motif is an old well used Baule (Baoule) comb the carvings indicating the owners status. Often are these combs to elaborate distinctive coiffures to indicate social status, ethnic origin, gender, age … Continue reading Baule Comb
CRK 0115-9 Hima Milk Container, Uganda H: 22 cm (8,7”), Ø: 19 cm (7,5”) Wood, narrow neck, banded body A superb example of a traditional, wooden, dairy vessel from Uganda. Made from a single piece of wood, the interior is hollowed by a combination of heat and carving until very thin walls are achieved. … Continue reading Milk Container
LCK 0702-15a Nyankole Milk Container, Uganda H: 26 cm (10,2”) Ø: 24 cm (9,4”) Wood, narrow neck, banded body with a lid made of tightly woven plant thread A superb example of a traditional, wooden, dairy vessel from Uganda. Made from a single piece of wood, the interior is hollowed by a combination of heat … Continue reading Milk Container
NAK 0614-6 Ivory Pendant, Lega?, Zaïre (DR Congo) H: 7,5 cm (2,9”), W: 2,2 cm (0,8”) This exceptional ivory necklace appears in a bright, golden-yellow color in a graceful manner and demonstrates a certain age. It could be worn by a man or a woman, and is sure to get the wearer a lot … Continue reading Ivory Pendant
SNK 1212-77 Congo Parade Sword with Decorated Handle, Angola/Congo L: 53 cm (20,9″), W: 3,5 cm (1,4″) This short Congo Parade Sword is most probably from Yombe (Bayombe, Majombe, Mayombe, Majumba, Yumbe), Angola/Congo. It has a carved wooden handle and a shaped iron blade. Swords like this were used in ceremonial contexts as well … Continue reading Sword
ASK 0610-6 Gold Dust Spoon, Senufo, Ivory Coast L: 11,5 cm (4,5”), W: 4,5 cm (1,8”) Brass This fine old gold spoon was used to weigh gold dust or to ‘measure’ the amount of gold dust in small containers. Value and the amount of gold dust was then payed for a product or a … Continue reading Senufo Spoon
NIK 0602-18 Chaplo Ceremonial Drinking Cup, Bakuba, DR Congo H: 12 cm (4,7″), W: 11 cm (4,3″) The Kuba love of form, knowledge of materials, skill in execution, and appreciation of quality are best seen in the number and variety of cups and goblets, mostly for drinking palm wine. There are reports – not … Continue reading Chaplo Cup
SNK 1212-15 Yaka Female Mortar Figure, DR Congo H: 30 cm (11,8″), W: 6,5 cm (2,6″), D: 6,5 cm (2,6″) Yaka statues from Congo are usually small like this mortar which might have been used for the crushing of medicine. The Yaka tribe make a rich variety of small fetish figures used as … Continue reading Yaka Mortar
SNK 1212-47 Senufo Heddle Pulley, Ivory Coast/Liberia Stylised bird H: 17 cm (6,7″), W:9,5 cm (3,7″), D: 6 cm (2,4″) This Senufo heddle pulley is decorated with an elegant carved bird head with fine hairstyle. The carved head adds an aesthetic element to the technical process of weaving. The wood has a well worn … Continue reading Senufo Heddle
SNK 1212-48 Baule Heddle Pulley, Ivory Coast/Liberia Stylised man H: 17 cm (6,7″), W:9,5 cm (3,7″), D: 6 cm (2,4″) The Baule represent one of the most important tribes of the Ivory Coast and may be the largest ethnic group in the region. The Baule are noted for decorating their everyday objects. This heddle … Continue reading Baule Heddle
SNK 1212-49 Guro Heddle Pulley, Ghana Stylised woman H: 12 cm (4,7″), W: 4,5 cm (1,8″), D: 2,5 cm (1″) This heddle pulley with the decorated top is a typically example of how African carvers add an aesthetic element to everyday objects. Guro art is characteristically elegant. Carvers produced elegant heddle pulleys decorated … Continue reading Guro Heddle
SNK 1212-84 Baule Gong Hammer, Ivory Coast Musical instrument H: 28 cm (11″), W: 2 cm (0,8″), D: 6,5 cm (2,6″) Lawle waka, the twisted and ridged handle holding a miniature of the buffalo mask, semicircular beater. According to S. Vogel, the diviner-dancers (komyen) are conditioned to get into a trance state when they … Continue reading Baule Hammer
CAK 0947-4 Yaka Flute or Whistle, Zaïre (DR. Congo) Yaka hunters blow whistles or flutes to inform the community of an upcoming hunt. While in the forest, men use whistles to communicate amongst themselves. They are also blown during some rituals, such as when the farmer asks the ancestors to protect his field or … Continue reading Yaka Flute
LCK – SOLD Kwere Medicine Container, Tanzania H. 19 cm (7,5″) Colored and polished calabash Objects like this one were used to hold medicine. They were traditionally used by the traditional healer to contain either liquids or powders that were used during healing ceremonies. Calabashes and antelope horns are frequently used as containers … Continue reading Container
LCK Makonde or Zigua Medicine Container, Tanzania H. 15 cm (5,9″) Colored and polished Calabash Objects like this one were used to hold medicine. They were traditionally used by the traditional healer to contain either liquids or powders that were used during healing ceremonies. Calabashes and antelope horns are frequently used as containers for … Continue reading Container
CAK 974-14a Catapult, Baule, Ivory Coast H: 20 cm (7,9″) Catapults or sling shots were used amongst the Baule people to hunt fruit bats which were considered a delicacy. Often a Catapults or Sling Shot was used as gift o a father who had got a son. Today, children use the slingshots to scare … Continue reading Baule Catapult
NIK 0602-23 Chaplo Drinking Cup, Bakuba, Congo The Kuba love of form, knowledge of materials, skill in execution, and appreciation of quality are best seen in the number and variety of cups and goblets, mostly for drinking palm wine. There are reports – not confirmed – that these cups might have been used in … Continue reading Chaplo Cup
NIK 0602-24 Kuba Drinking Cup, Zaïre (DR Congo) H: 20 cm (7,9″), Ø: 9 cm (3,5″) Today, plastic cups or glasses are used for drinking, however, during the 19th and early 20th centuries decorated wooden cups were carved by several tribes across the Southern Savanna. The Kuba are specifically known for their figural and … Continue reading Chaplo Cup
CAK 974-14b Catapult, Ivory Coast Catapults or Sling Shots were used amongst the Baule people to hunt fruit bats which were considered a delicacy. Often a Catapults or Sling Shot was used as gift o a father who had got a son. Today, children use the slingshots to scare birds away so they don’t … Continue reading Catapult
NIK 0602-19 Kuba Cup, DR Congo H: 23 cm (9,1″) The Kuba love of form, knowledge of materials, skill in execution, and appreciation of quality are best seen in the number and variety of cups and goblets, mostly for drinking palm wine. There are reports – not confirmed – that these cups might have … Continue reading Kuba Cup
NIK 0602-22 – SOLD Chaplo Cup, Bakuba, Congo Age: Est. 1950s. The Kuba love of form, knowledge of materials, skill in execution, and appreciation of quality are best seen in the number and variety of cups and goblets, mostly for drinking palm wine. There are reports – not confirmed – that these cups might … Continue reading Chaplo Cup
NIK 0602-28 – SOLD Goblet Cup, Bakuba, Congo The Kuba love of form, knowledge of materials, skill in execution, and appreciation of quality are best seen in the number and variety of cups and goblets, mostly for drinking palm wine. There are reports – not confirmed – that these cups might have been used … Continue reading Goblet Cup
SNK 1212-33 Goblet Cup, Lele People; DR Congo H: 14/21cm, W: 9 cm, D: 10 cm Age: 20th century This palm wine drinking cup is a perfect example of the masterful artistry of the Kuba and Lele woodcarvers. The sculptor has delicately balanced abstract and naturalistic forms. A face stands out along the side … Continue reading Goblet Cup
SNK 1212-61 Dogon Door Lock, Mali H: 37 cm (14,6″), W: 9,5/30 cm (3,7″/11,8″), D: 4,5 cm (1,8″) Used to protect houses and granaries, Dogon door locks range from the abstract and symbolic representations of myths, ancestors and scenes of life. Placing an image of an ancestor on the door lock offered additional protection … Continue reading Dogon Lock
SNK 1212-80 Yoruba Oracle bowl “agere ifa”, Nigeria Wood, dark brown patina H: 16 cm (6,3″), W: 13 cm (5,1″) This is a very fine example of a divination bowl. Despite its advanced age and that it has been used eagerly, it is in an extremely fine condition. The divination bowls serve for keeping … Continue reading Yoruba Bowl
SNK 1212-79 Yoruba Oracle bowl “agere ifa”, Nigeria Wood, dark brown patina H: 17 cm (6,7″), W: 13 cm (5,1″) This is a very fine example of a divination bowl. Despite its advanced age and that it has been used eagerly, it is in an extremely fine condition. The divination bowls serve for keeping … Continue reading Yoruba Bowl
SNK 1212-78 Yoruba Oracle bowl “agere ifa”, Nigeria Wood, dark brown patina H: 16 cm (6,3″), W: 16 cm (6,3″) This is a very fine example of a divination bowl. Despite its advanced age and that it has been used eagerly, it is in an extremely fine condition except for a few cracks in … Continue reading Yoruba Bowl
SNK 1212-71 Chokwe War Axe Club, Zambia/Zaïre L: 49 cm (19,3″), W: 24 cm (9,4″) Dark brown, hard wood and engraved steel ax blade This is a good example of an African 19th Century Chokwe War Axe Club. With hardwood shaft and head and incised iron axe blade and supplementary blade to reverse of … Continue reading Chokwe Axe
SNK 1212-69 Chokwe Axe, Angola/Congo L: 48 cm (18,9″), W: 23 cm (9,1″) Chokwe axes are deeply rooted in symbolism, status and power. They are held as an insignia and command respect. Some were ‘court art’ object owned by chiefs – headman and nobles. Others were used for hunting. Chokwe from Angola sculptors were … Continue reading Chokwe Axe
SNK 1212-70 Chokwe Axe, Angola/Congo L: 51 cm (20,1″), W: 18,5 cm (7,3″) Chokwe axes are deeply rooted in symbolism, status and power. They are held as an insignia and command respect. Some were ‘court art’ object owned by chiefs – headman and nobles. Others were used for hunting. Chokwe from Angola sculptors were … Continue reading Chokwe Axe
SNK 1212-60 Dogon Door Lock, Mali H: 26, 5 cm (10,4″), W: 8/25 cm (3,1″/9,8″), D: 5,5 cm (2,2″) Used to protect houses and granaries, Dogon door locks range from the abstract and symbolic representations of myths, ancestors and scenes of life. Placing an image of an ancestor on the door lock offered additional … Continue reading Dogon Lock
NAK 0614-11 Baule Comb, Ivory Coast and Ghana H: 13,5 cm (5,3″), W: 8 cm (3,1″) This comb with five tines beneath the decorative ‘top’ with carved geometric, zigzag motif is an old well used Baule (Baoule) comb the carvings indicating the owners status. Often are these combs to elaborate distinctive coiffures to indicate … Continue reading Baule Comb
AHK 0602-18 Luba Ceremonial Adze, Zaïre (DR Congo) Dark patina hard wood, wrought iron H: 39 cm (15,4″), W: 24 cm (9,5”) (blade 17 cm (6,6”), D: 5 cm (2,3”) Age: Est. 45-60 years old. This beautiful Luba Adze with a wood handle terminating in a well-proportioned female figurine with typical Luba hairstyle and … Continue reading Luba Axe
HCK 1207-20 Heddle Pulley, Baule, Ivory Coast H: 15 cm (5,9″), W: 5,5 cm (2,2″) Provenance: Belgian Collection The Baule represent one of the most important tribes of the Ivory Coast and may be the largest ethnic group in the region. The Baule are noted for decorating their everyday objects. This heddle pulley is … Continue reading Baule Heddle
SNK 1212-50 Senufo Heddle Pulley, Ivory Coast and Liberia Stylised bird H: 15,5 cm (6,1″), W: 7 cm (2,8″), D: 2 cm (0,8″) A vast array of Senufo everyday objects are adorned with human figures or birds, like this stylised bird on top of a heddle pulley. Among the Senufo people of Ivory Coast, … Continue reading Senufo Heddle
SNK 1212-31 – SOLD Yoruba mirror frame, Yoruba, Nigeria H: 30 cm (11,8″) , W: 28 cm (11,4″), D: 3 cm (1,2″) Mirrors in small decorated boxes were popular among the Yoruba as wedding gifts. The Yoruba people, numbering over 20 million, are one of the largest nations in Africa with an art-producing tradition. … Continue reading Mirror Frame
SNK 1212-55 -SOLD Kuba Palm Wine Cup, Kuba, Congo H: 15 cm (5,9″), W: 12 cm (4,7″), Ø: 9,5 cm (3,7″) This palm wine drinking cup is a perfect example of the masterful artistry of the Kuba woodcarvers. The sculptor has delicately balanced abstract and naturalistic forms. The art of the Kuba is one of the … Continue reading Kuba Cup
SNK 1212-43 Akua’ba (Akwaba) Comb, Ashanti, Ghana H: 18, 5 cm (7,3″), W: 6,5 cm (2,6″) This elegant comb with fine details is considered a prestige object by the Akan speaking women in Ghana. The Akan speaking women of Ghana include the Anyi, Ashanti, Baule and Fante. They all use wooden hair combs as decoration. Combs … Continue reading Akua’ba Comb
HCK 0106-12 Kulango Spoon Sculpture, Ivory Coast This ‘spoon’ differs in its style and artistic expression from traditional African spoons. Its design transcends the purely utilitarian nature of many other examples. Presented on a pedestal, it is a wonderful, elegant shape. The shape is characterized by having two functions. Spoon at one end … Continue reading Kulango Spoon
