Antique African Wrist Knife with protective leather sheath.
When the sheath is removed from the metal disc, a decorative piece worn on the wrist is turned into a lethal weapon.
The Turkana are a pastoralist people of northern Kenya.
Knowing no boundaries such knives can also be found in southern Ethiopia. Size 4.5" by 4.5"over 2.25" interior diameter very very sharp. Sorry no stand with this piece.
A rare antique, late 19th-early 20th century, African Tribal Ceremonial Axe-Hatchet used by shaman as the accessory for the Bwami secret society divination practices. The brown dyed bone shaft is finely carved with three tribal figures. The top figure depicts an African woman with large breast wearing the conical hat wrapped in twisted copper wire. The bottom figure depicting an African man with the Erect Phallus formed from the rear spike of the iron axe blade and wrapped in twisted copper wire...
Superb pair of elaborate wooden twins, both females, Yoruba People, Eruwa city, Nigeria, 19th./ early 20th. century.
Provenanced to an important collection, we offer a large selection of high-end wooden african figures, all with the original surfaces and elaborate carvings, dating back to the 19th.-early 20th. century.
The lovely set with fantastic openwork headdresses, with blue pigments and exceptional facial features and both richly adorned with jewelry...
This antique traditional tribal dagger was made and used by the Manding people who are indigenous to the Western Sudan region of Africa. The dagger is 10 inches long and has a leather covered pommel. The blade is dulled and rusted with a small bend at the tip. The original matching scabbard has traditionally woven worked leather decoration with belt loop and tassel.
A Benin mask of a human face, dating back to the 19th. century. Strongly cast, and modelled in high relief, the face encircled by a beard composed of numerous fine details, the face with full protruding lips, a wide nose and prominent expressive eyes.
Impressing headdress with 7 horns.
Fine varied aged patina.
Size: 35 cm height - weight 3,3 kg. Stand not included...
An unusual pair of large wooden male twins, Nigeria, Yoruba, 19th. cent.
The fine twins are wearing round helmet-like headdresses and exceptional facial features including large teeth! Both adorned with jewelry. Note the preserved body pigments, that is often washed off on older figures!
An early pair with an exceptional patina.
Size: 30,5-31 cm...
Antique, late 19th century, African Mangbetu or Zande, bow harp, Kundi.
The sound box (Resonator) of the harp is made of wood and covered with snake skin, with one round opening on the anterior surface, and small holes for the strings.
There are no holes in the neck for the tuning pegs since the strings were fastened to the neck by the loops...
Lovely intact ceramic bust, likely a memorial portrait (nsodie) of an Akan nobleman from the part of Africa which is today southern Ghana and southeastern Côte d'Ivoire. This is a very early type and quite attractive with it's diminutive arms.
Size: c. 10,5 cm. tall.
Condition: Intact with minor corrosion and patina.
Ex. Danish private Collection
Very early figure of a standing male. Early 20th century or older. H. 44,5 cm.
More pictures are available on request.
Provenance:
Manfred Schäfer, Ulm.
Adrian Schlag, Cologne/Brussels.
Serge Schofel, Paris/Brussels.
Zemanek Münster, 2018.
Srdjan Sremac, Den Haag.
Condition: The surface of the figure is heavily eroded in some areas.
Senufo staff with anthropomorphic figure of a seated female. Made of hardwood.
H. 61 cm. One hand and part of the left foot missing. Excellent age wear and patina.
Provenance:
Roger Bediat, Abidjan. Part of his collection was sold at Drouot in Paris in 1966.
More info on this dealer/collector: Van Rijn wh-0000342-001
An Akan gilt metal gold weight cast as a bird on round tapering base. The Akan gold weights are quite unique in the world for their forms. Their weights are so distinguished by their shape that they are now considered decorative art forms only few inches in size. Historically, they were used for measuring gold dust, which was circulating as currency in Ghana and Ivory Coast among the Akans from the 15th until the end of the 19th century. Measures 2.75 inches high and dates late 1800s.
A fine and very varied selection of 11 currency cobber, bronze and brass currency (money) bracelets of larger sizes, West to North Africa, ca. 17th-19th. century.
The collection consists of a huge Nigerian or Niger brownish patinated bronze or cobber bracelet, weighing ca. 840 grams! More West African pieces and some Northern African bracelets among which a particular nice brass armring with the decorated large finials of the Tuaregs, weighing ca. 475 grams...
H. 20 cm. First half of the 20th century.
Ex Paolo Morigi (1939-2017), Magliaso-Lugano, Switzerland,
Ex Nadya Levi (1929-2021), Antwerp, Belgium,
Ex Fily Keita, Los Angeles, USA.
Ethiopian 'magic' scroll, inks/paints on parchment. Undated, estimated to be 19th century or earlier. 180 x 10.5cm.
Complete, good condition for age.
SLAVE TRADE BRACELET C.1700s-1800s Bronze, 3 1/4" width. Used for the purchase of slaves in West Africa. Value one slave Shipwreck recovery with expected green encrustation. Malter Gallery
A figure of a soldier or guardian figure finely cast in bronze (using the lost wax method) and made in Benin, Nigeria, during the 19th or early 20th Century.
Provenance: from an early to mid 20th Century North West of England collection.
Condition: there is a production crack running down his back from the left ear to the top of the left leg and part of the item he is holding in his right hand may be missing.
18cm (7 inches) high.
Weight 695 grams) (1lb 8.5 ounces)
An exceptional example of the antique Ethiopian Coptic Christian processional cross of unusual form 17th -18th century Ethiopia, Solomonic Dynasty.
The cross is made of cast copper alloy (white bronze) and has been pierced and engraved in openwork with an intricate pattern of interwoven lines, topped with small crosses. Two circular decorations flank the bottom of the cross; this motif refers to the divine halo of Christ...
Unusual Baule mask with three hair knots, large scarifications around the eyes and on the cheeks. A pendant on the forehead. The Van Rijn archive mentions that , according to oral history’ this mask was collected ca 1900, so it would date from the 19th century. H. 32 cm.
Ex French colonial collection, ex private German collection until 2021.
A vintage carved wood ceremonial 'Crocodile' mask used by the Mano tribe in Liberia, Ivory Coast, Africa. 19th/20th Century. Size" 30 inches ht x 10 inches x 13 inches. Carved wood, adorned with hide, red fabric and cowrie shells.
Bakongo dance staff/rattle
H. 32 cm, early 20th century
Inlaid eyes. Some missing parts, see pictures.
Rare and early object.
A pair of unresearched very early african ceramic sculptural art, probably Akan and Nigeria, pre 18th. century and one is probably ancient!
Sold as one lot.
Size: The head is 16,5 cm. incl. the nice base, the other is c. 14,5 cm. tall.
Provenance: Collection of Gunna Munkvad, Denmark, aquired from the 1950s-1980s.
Excellent wear and patina. Congo, first quarter 20th century. H. 21 cm (mask) or 28 cm including stand.
Probably one of the earliest pairs (man and woman) in the collection, dating to the Yoruba People, Nigeria, 'Oshogbo' - deep in the 19th. century.
Provenanced to an important collection, we offer a large selection of high-end wooden african figures, all with the original surfaces and elaborate carvings, most dating back to the 19th.-early 20th. century (c. 1880-1930)
The lovely set with large helmets are both richly adorned with bead bracelets...
An early pair of wooden twins, both males, Yoruba People, Nigeria, 19th. century.
Provenanced to an important collection, we offer a large selection of high-end wooden african figures, all with the original surfaces and elaborate carvings, most dating back to the 19th.-early 20th. century (c...
Large and early terracotta pipe bowl, BAMILEKE or TIKAR, Cameroon Africa. Gritty terracotta clay with losses as seen. Size 7.75" by 4"
Important feminine Lobi Figure with arms up to pay tribute to death people
H 70 cm, wideness between hands 26 cm
Original 19th–20th century African Kurumba headdress adoné design in the graceful form of an antelope head with long neck and slender horns, decorated with horizontal stripes, rising from the top of the head, and echoed by the long forward-curved ears.
The neck and the snout decorated with carved extensive geometric patterns, polychrome with ocher brown, black, beige and kaolin pigments resting on the helmet shaped cap of hemispherical form, adorned with shells and bordered with i...
This extraordinary statue comes from the Kuyu people who live between the Sangha and upper Ogowe Rivers, D.R.Congo.
Very large and heavy terracotta statue, covered with shiny and vivid colors, made around the early 20th century - in our family collection since 1950.
This wonderful figure will hold a prominent place in any Tribal Art collection.
We also have 2 more Kuyu terracotta statues from the same period. Please ask us for further details.
The ...
Extremely rare funerary spool-shaped terracotta vessel created by the Akan people of Ghana, 19th-20th century, with incised simple geometric decoration. A very large example of this rare pottery form (15" in diameter, 7" high) believed to have been created to honor the dead in "places of pots" or asensie.
A rare painted early wooden figure, Ivory Coast, Baulé, from the famous Danish Artist and Sculptor, Robert Jacobsen private collection and from the 19th.- or very early 20th. century
The figure appears facing the front, symmetrical with her arms resting on her stomach, which was a sign of peace for the Baulé people. She is dressed in a loincloth painted in black, red and white.
An artful carving in a hard dark solid wood. Wonderful facial expression even for the elabor...
Very rare and fine bronze figure of a woman holding her breasts. H. 14,5 cm.
Ex coll. Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021), The Netherlands.
A particularly fine style pair of male and female wooden twins, Yoruba People, Nigeria, early 20th. century.
Provenanced to an important collection, we offer a large selection of high-end wooden african figures, all with the original surfaces and elaborate carvings, most dating back to the 19th.-early 20th. century (c. 1880-1930)
A couple with beautiful features of their large heads and with a malæe and female 'helmet' or hat. The male wears a Kauri necklace and brac...
A rare carved ivory figure of a man, wearing a (beaded?) belt with traditional leather apron, made in Sub-Saharan (possibly southern) Africa for sale to European traders or colonists during the late 19th or early 20th Century. For additional pictures please view #1121 in our Liverpool shop website at 69aliverpool.co.uk
Condition: very good - there is discoloration due to aging but no damages and no repairs or restoration.
27cm (10.3 inches) high.
Weight: 265 grams (9.35 ounces)
PLEASE ...
Fine early pair of wooden twins, male and female, Yoruba People, Oyo Region, Nigeria, 19th./ early 20th. century.
Provenanced to an important collection, we offer a large selection of high-end wooden african figures, all with the original surfaces and elaborate carvings, dating back to the 19th.-early 20th. century.
The lovely set with large headdresses, and exceptional facial features and both richly adorned with jewelry. This pair of ibeji figures (ibeji means ‘born...
Large NGONTANG helmet mask (all seeing mask) from the Fang people in Gabon, very well used and worn and in great condition - pre 1920 and definitely rare.
Size: 41 cm - 2 kg
Known as Ngontang (or Ngontanga), this mask variety appeared among the Fang people of southern
Cameroon and Gabon shortly before 1920. It represents a spirit of the dead visiting as a young white woman
from the world beyond. The mask was used to locate sorcerers–those who misuse spiritual power...
African antique mbulu ngulu reliquary guardian figure carved of wood and plated with textured copper. This figure is made by the Bakota (or Kota) people, a Bantu ethnic group from Gabon and Congo. Bakota people are known for these reliquary figures which were part of a powerful mystical order known as Bwete. This figure stands on a custom metal base.
Dimensions: 29 1/2" high x 13 1/4" wide x 6" deep (on stand)
A very high quality early wooden figure, Ivory Coast, Baulé, early 20th. century.
The figure appears facing the front, symmetrical with its arms resting on its stomach, which was a sign of peace for the Baulé people.
Wonderful facial expression even for the elaborate type, with its half-closed eyes, which resembles coffee grains, that give the face a serene expression. A well-trimmed beard below the jaw and Aa particularly refined hairstyle on this figure, can be attribu...
Another lovely pair of wooden twins, Nigeria, Yoruba, c. 19th. cent.
The fine set of male and female with large headdresses, and exceptional facial features. Both adorned with jewelry.
A very early pair with an exceptional patina. This pair was part of Lau Sundes personal collection, see below.
Size: 27,5-28 cm. tall.
Condition: Choice Very fine with a fine patina and smooth wear from extensive worship and use, tiny chips and surface cracks, consiste...
Exceptional and early mask covered with a reddish brown paint (original). Oval eyes, sharp nose and full lips. Originally there was an iron pin in the forehead. H. 21 cm. 19th to early 20th century.
Provenance: C.P. Meulendijk, Rotterdam - Christie’s Amsterdam 1978 - Drouot Richelieu Paris 2006 - Mamadou Keita, Amsterdam.
An unusual and exquisite pair of large wooden female twins, Nigeria, Yoruba, 19th. cent.
The lovely fine set with large headdresses, and exceptional facial features including large teeth and pubic hair finely outlined! Both richly adorned with jewelry incl. silverish metal bangles and Kauri shells. Note the preserved body pigments, that is often washed off on older figures!
A very early pair with an exceptional patina. This pair was part of Lau Sundes personal collection, ...
Fine large and early pair of wooden twins, both females, Yoruba People, Oyo Region, Nigeria, 19th./20th. century.
Provenanced to an important collection, we offer a large selection of high-end wooden african figures, all with the original surfaces and elaborate carvings, dating back to the 19th.-early 20th. century.
The lovely set with large headdresses, blue pigment, and exceptional facial features and both richly adorned with jewelry. This pair of ibeji figures (ibeji...
A very elaborate tobacco pipe bowl of the Ashanti people (present Ghana), knowing tobacco and the habit of smoking since the 17th century. A feline predator is standing on a rectangular base plate. Provenance: old collection from Berne, Switzerland. Condition: few traces of usage. Dimension: 8 cm x 8.5 cm.
Amazing Ibeji from Abeokuta with a deep glossy patina, dating from the early 20th century. H. 23 cm.
Ex Ruth van Caelenbergh, Brussels, ex Sylvain Pette, France, ex Ian Shaw, UK, ex Mason Huynh, USA.
Polished surface, restored at the base.
An important high quality early wooden figure, Ivory Coast, Baulé, provenanced and from the 19th. century
The sculpture representing a seated woman, hands on her knees, seated on a chair, carved with incredible realism and details in the nude. Wood with fading colours and much brown-black patina. The sculpture presents the traditional baule keloids scars and a braided hairstyle, finely chiseled. The details are stunning on this lady, her painted eyes, her jewelry and her scarificati...
A rare and impressive Nigerian hardwood feritility figure of a naked female, Igala, very early carving from the 19th. century.
A very artful style, caught with her arms at the side and fists clenching, decorated with a twin hairstyle and tribal tattoes incl a phallic design on the arms and a lizzard on the back.
Size: 40 cm. tall incl. the low wooden base, 37,5 cm. alone.
Condition: Nice Very fine and with an amazing dark brown and black patina from old age and r...
Extremely fine and rare mask, made of hardwood. Warm glossy patina and beautiful age wear. Early 20th century. H. 22 cm. Comes with a patinated brass stand.
Provenance: private collection Lanaken, Belgium - private collection Breda, The Netherlands.
H. 48 cm, first half of the 20th century.
Provenance:
Private collection New York
Bonhams New York, 12 May 2011 lot 2077. Estimate 8.000-12.000 USD (unsold).
Guy van Rijn archive: ao-0006772-001