A rarely encountered clay initiation figure in the form of an elephant, accompanied by a scarce 1956 reference book titled, African Figurines, Their Ceremonial Use in Puberty Rites in Tanganyika. Authored by H. Cory, Government Sociologist, Tanganyika. This highly stylized figure has an old repair to the trunk and right rear leg . It appears to be grey clay with mica and seems to be colored with a terra cotta colored pigment.
The scarce reference book is in very good condition with only slight ...click for details
The Bassikassingo are a Bembe clan of semi nomadic forest dwellers. They are spiritually involved with ancestor worship. This stool whose seat is supported on four risers, two of which depict the classic community view of Misi the male ancestor. These stools may also have been for use by senior members of the Bwami Society. The stools foot and seat are bordered with an "eye" motif and the two alternating riser in a well executed geometric. The stool shows wear from use and has some los ...click for details
A very fine example of a cylinder drum from the Bangwa People of the Cameroon Grasslands. The upper band depicts Bangwa ancestor figures and the body of the cylinder is covered with traditional geometrics. Some wear to the foot and minor cracking. the drum head is sound and has a nice patina. Completely original. C1960. Size 41.5" in height and 10" in diameter
A scarce figural pottery from the Konyak People, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Depicts a female with open mouth and neck ring. The body encircled with a geometric band. Shows wear, native repairs and minor losses from use. Pre 1950
H: 14", D:10"
Kuyu Staff heads are carried during dances to honor the mythological serpent Ebongo, a tutelary spirit of the Kuyu. Our example is unusually artistic. The turban and collar are very detailed and the face refined. The enamel paint, while worn is bright, making this an attractive art object as well as a fine addition to a collection. As is the case with any we have encountered, the staff has been shortened and a removable base added by a former collector. C.1960. H:19.5" x W:7" on b ...click for details
The Lozi People reside in the East African country of Zambia. They are noted for their wooden bowls which have been long sought after by collectors. This example is circular in form with the original lid. The lid finial is a standing elephant and the bowl body has four geometric extensions, one of which is damaged. The lid shows some finish wear at the contact points around the finial as does the finial itself. The bowl diameter is 9.5" and with extensions 13.75", H; to top of the fini ...click for details
A desireable, low fired terra cotta pot adorned with the head of a noble woman with a hair style influenced by the neighboring Mangbentu People. Probably intended as a ritual vessel. Nice patina on the contact points. No cracks or repairs. 1950 or before.
H:16.75" x D:8.5"
A large water jar with attractive and functional handles. The globular body is decorated with a picked surface on the lower which is then banded to seperate it from the burnished shoulders by the Nuna women of Burkina Faso.H:16.5"x W:15", with handles W"18".
An elegantly rendered sound bar for the flat bar zither used by the Zaromo and Kwere People of Tanzania. The finial is a bust of a noble woman and the mid bar carving seems to depict a slide backed by geometrics. In wide use in the 1940's. On a metal display stand. Length 34.5"x3.25"wide.
A nice old example of a Malay Golok. The scabbard and hilt have a pleasing patina and the wood work on the scabbard is more refined and detailed than usually found.
There is a small 1" crack in the stylized birds head hilt. The blade is of traditional form with a chisel edge and appears to be unpolished carbon steel. There are a few minor patches of surface rust. A very nice example.
Overall length 22", blade 15". Early 20th C.
