RARE ASHANTI GOLD WEIGHT C.1900 AFRICAN ART ANTIQUE

Antiques: Regional Art: African: Artifacts Pre 1900: item #770760
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This is a single geometic gold weight made and used by the Ashanti about the turn of the last century. The gold trade was concentrated in West Africa and directly related to the slave trade. It is made of brass and is shaped as a square with a raised pattern on one side. It is 15.4mm(.60") long, 15.5mm(.61") wide, and 8.0mm(.31") thick. It predate the more elaborate figural examples. They were used with tiny balances to measure gold dust-an activity best done well away from the wind. They w... Click for details

RARE ASHANTI BRACELET C.1880 AFRICAN ART ANTIQUE

Antiques: Regional Art: African: Artifacts Pre 1900: item #770759
scabr36

This is a rare Ashanti cast brass bracelet collected by Armitage around the turn of the century. It had some age at that time and may easily date before 1880. It is just under 2" across (inside) and of round section, hand punch and line decorated with faceted terminals made like the gold weights. These bracelets were worn by women and had a secondary function because the women fought physically among themselves and these were used to punctuate a blow. Sir Cecil Armitage collected many of these i... Click for details

ANTIQUE SHIP WRECK RELIC FROM THE SLAVE TRADE

Antiques: Regional Art: African: Artifacts Pre 1800: item #770718
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This is a bronze slave bracelet used in the slave trade in the 1700’s. It used as money to purchase slaves. A healthy male could be purchased for from two to 15 of these depending on the supply and where he was sold. The slave trade involved a network of dealers and traders as well as the raiders who captured slaves. The use of these bracelets allowed for the exchange of a group of slaves through direct payment. This one was made in England C.1700-1800 and salvaged from a sunken slave ship and s... Click for details

A superb Northern Congo bronze torque

Antiques: Regional Art: African: Artifacts Pre 1920: item #761827
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Hand-forged bronze has been transformed into a delicate and graceful object by a village blacksmith, a sometimes feared and always respected member of society in sub-Saharan Africa. This form, possibly Ngbaka, was probably used in a dowry offering and worn around the neck of the bride to be. Those with more closed ends were only functional as currency pieces, unusable, but, highly prized by the bride's family. Measuring 8" H x 9.50" W, the item is in mint condition. From the late 19th/ear... Click for details

Traditional African stack Wedding baskets Burkino Faso

Antiques: Regional Art: African: Artifacts Pre 1920: item #759772
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This set of 10 graduated sized traditional marriage baskets are trimmed with black leather. They are from the African Ivory Coast, now the country called Burkino Faso. All stacked together they are 8 inches and 12 inches tall. This old set is complete with all ten basket and the lid. The outer basket being most exposed over time has patinated.

A FINE LEGA FETISH FIGURE

Antiques: Regional Art: African: Artifacts Pre 1900: item #759415
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Male, 7 1/4” height with serene countenance and hands drawn to the distended abdomen. The head with large ring edged fetish cavity containing fetish material at the bottom. Spread base with an additional cavity with scotched surfaces. Fine dark glossy honey patina with spotty surface encrustation from ritual material application..

ANTIQUE TURKANA HEADREST KISHALONG.

Antiques: Regional Art: African: Artifacts Pre 1900: item #759330
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TURKANA HEADREST KISHALONG. Late 19th-early 20th century. One piece carved with characteristic lobed top with indented terminals and flared support on hemispherical base. Pink painted base and two ciphers to the underside of the top in the same pigment, probably ownership marks. Leather hand grip. Fine patina from extensive use.

AFRICAN ART ANTIQUE OGONI MASK

Antiques: Regional Art: African: Artifacts Pre 1900: item #750060
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This is a rare mask of the Ogoni who inhabit the Niger Delta and even today, number less than 1/2 million. It dates to about 1880 and the height of the slave trade it is made in two pieces with an articulated lower jaw secured with its original split canes fasteners. It is sensitively carved with down cast eyes and diminutive lips. It was purchased at Christies, London, Tribal Art Sale of April 4, 1989 (lot of one item). Well regarded African art items like this one have increased about ten fold... Click for details

ANTIQUE BA KUBA NOBLE'S WOVEN BASKETRY HAT

Antiques: Regional Art: African: Artifacts Pre 1920: item #748837

Ba Kuba peoples, Congo, late 19th - early 20th Century. This is a very old, antique, Noble's basketry hat, worn exclusively by male Nobles of the Ba Kuba kingdom, as a sign of rank. Finely woven, the Ba Kuba reserved their best basketry work for these small caps, worn at the back of the head, by Noble men of the Ba Kuba. Measuring approximately 6 1/2" - 6.5 cm. in width, there are some separations evident, typical of these very old pieces, but these are, indeed, Rare.

AFRICAN CAMEROON GRASSLANDS PIPE C.1900

Antiques: Regional Art: African: Artifacts Pre 1900: item #736237
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Brown terra cotta. 3 1/2” height with ribbed barrel shaped bowl with anthropomorphic base and conical stem socket to the back. The base with a hole to the tobacco chamber to allow the smoker to regulate the air with his finger. Excellent with rich age patina.