H. 23 cm. (Excluding the beard. Very good complete condition. The mask is covered with red fabric, the eyes are made of aluminium. Provenance: Klaus Paysan (1930-2011), Stuttgart, Germany. Robert van der Heijden, Amsterdam. Exhibited: Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Schloss Rosenstein, Stuttgart - ‘Afrika, Tiere, Maske und Magie’.

Such figures (twins beaded) were reserved for high status "royal" tribal leaders for protection. Heavily decorated with beads, bone and cowrie shells, this pair is 80 years old and have some kind of marking on the bottom. sourced out of Fumbane (foumban), approximately 12 inches high

From our African Collection: A Nok Terracotta Figure, 18" w, 50" h. The small head is 3 x 4". Nok refers to the culture associated with a one hundred square kilometer area in central Nigeria where thousands of terracotta figures were found. These figures were first encountered in tin mines by Colonel J. Dent Young in 1928 and were classified as Nok by Bernard Fagg in 1943...

Old helmet mask, of typical form, with three faces surmounted by an elaborate coiffe. Wood, with fine age patina. Africa, Sierra Leone, Mende ethnic group. Height: 16 cm. Diameter: 17 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Obvious signs of use and age, otherwise very good condition.

Description: Attractive African woven basket with wooden figure. beautiful craftsmanship and great carving. Size: 7"H x 4.5" in diameter, in great condition.

Important masks representing a hyena head, H 36 From a well known french collection More information on Request

A very impressive African tribal Senufo bird statue measuring 61.75 inches high with a 25" wingspan. The bird's wings are carved in relief with images of lizards, crocodiles, turtles and birds. The body beneath the beak has a carving of a large lizard. The rest of the bird features repeated geometric carvings on front and back. In very good condition with expected splits to wood and various minor conditions associated with age...

Anthropomorphic heddle pulley. Mid 20th century. H. 25 cm. The ears and nose with cotton ornaments.

Ancient mask of oval flat form, with protruding forehead and nose, slit eyes, small open rectangular mouth showing teeth. Only one large hole on each side to attach the mask, and smaller holes around the mask probably to represent hair and beard. Wood, with remnants of kaolin colouring. Africa, Gabon, Fang ethnic group. Height: 32 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Tiny accidents, otherwise very good condition.

Hardwood and iron. H. 38 cm. Provenance: Robert van der Heijden, Amsterdam, Srdjan Sremac, The Hague.

Large door lock from a door of a granary. H. 53 cm.  Mid 20th century. Ex French private collection.

19-20thc Uganda triple spout pot Ganda magic drinking Ndawula Walumbe Bamweyana Nakaima Muwanga. This rare pot was for ceremonial use and said to be for medicated beer. Probably early 20th c beautiful blackish burnished finish and cord impressed banding around the 3 spouts. Some slight scuffs to spout lip as well as lighter colored grey around rims though does not seem to be damage. No cracks quite heavy for the size comes with no stand. Weight 3.8 h 8" w 7"

Hardwood, first half 20th century. H. 18 cm. Old insect damage. Ex private collection Belgium, collected in Abidjan in 1968.

Handsome handcarved wooden ceremonial mask from Kenya. The mask is carved from a single piece of wood. Excellent condition, the back has a screw attached for hanging on the wall. Circa 1970. 12/1-2" x 5-1/4".

This large traditional Suriname Maroon wood comb has identical carvings on both sides and would have been worn for ceremonies. The Suriname Maroons were originally sub Saharan African slaves that were brought to and escaped from the Caribbean plantations. They fled to the hills where they established their own villages far beyond the the Spanish "authorities"who then ruled the Caribbean Islands at the time. The comb is 14.5 inches tall and 3.5 inches at the widest...

SPIRIT

Primitive wood carving spiritual object with head , used by Lega people (or Warega) as a Bantu ethnic group of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Length without string: 24cm (9.44in)...

A rare Mahogany table with deeply carved traditional West African style geometric decoration and with elegant stylized antelope form legs...

Superb old Benin bronze sculpture of a fish standing on 4 legs. This piece was made using the lost wax process. A must for anyone's collection, this fish has a wonderful patina and would also make a very interesting accent piece to any home decor. Measures 7" long, 4" high.

From our African Collection: An Ashanti Stool from Ghana, The Golden Stool is a sacred symbol of the Ashanti nation believed to possess the sunsum (soul) of the Ashanti people. According to legend, the Golden Stool -- sika 'dwa in the Akan language of the Ashanti -- descended from heaven in a cloud of white dust and landed in the lap of the first Ashanti king, Osei Tutu, in the late 1600s...

Fertility doll. H. 16,5 cm. Mid 20th century.

Janus-shaped helmet mask, the two back-to-back faces of a similar expression, surmounted by a semi circular flat coiffe. Wood, with glossy age patina. Africa, Nigeria, Idoma Peoples. Height: 14" (35 cm). Old insect infestations (no danger), small accidents and chips, otherwise very good condition.

These fertility fetishes were placed in the ground to promote the growth of crops. They were named after Legba, a trickster god of Vodun, who was usually pictured as young, virile, horned and phallic. H. 43 cm, first half of the 20th century. Ex coll. Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021), The Netherlands.

Ex Joris Visser, Brussels. H. 55 cm. First half 20th century. Excellent condition.

Tugubele figures represent helpful bush spirits. The belong to the local ritual expert of the Senufo people, assisting them with their oracles and predictions. This figure dates from the first half of the 20th century and shows good signs of use. Provenance: André Vanhecke, Belgium, Srdjan Sremac, The Hague.

Benue Plateau, mid 20th century. H. 40 cm. Ex Robert van der Heijden, Amsterdam. Ex Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, March 2014. The Djompre are a small ethnic group with their homeland in the Benue Plateau State in northern Nigeria. They call themselves Kutep or Kutev, the denomination Djombre - which means cannibals - has probably been given to them by the neighbouring Chamba.

From our Collection: Nigerian Bust from the Kingdo of Ife from the 20th century. 4" w, 19" h. Ife is an ancient Yoruba city in south-western Nigeria. The city is located in present-day Osun State. Ife is about 218 kilometers northeast of Lagos with a population of 509,813...

A glass bead decorated gourd from the Maasai people in Kenya. This type of gourd is used traditionally for the mixture of milk and blood that is a staple of the Maasai diet. Early 20th century.

Approximately 24 cm long. In fine condition. Noted are half a dozen insect holes in the lid, these are old and mostly filled in...

Antique African Ebony sculpture of a village woman. Nice carving with good details. Probably early 20th c Size 10.5"

A small oil on Masonite painting of giraffes silhouetted by an African sunset, 10" by 8", unframed, signed at lower right "B.C. Syrett 1968". I do not see information on the artist, who was obviously talented. The painting could use a cleaning to remove soiled varnish, light scuffs and some stray black surface marks in the sky.

From our African Collection: A Igbo Pipe Smoker Figure from Southeastern Nigeria. Circa 1940. 9" x 30" h. Extremely rare and in great condition.

A heavy well cast 'bronze' figure, in traditional Benin ceremonial coral beaded costume and headress, probably made in Nigeria during the early to mid 20th Century. Condition: excellent. The circular copper base is probably a later addition. 30cm (12 inches) high. For additional enlargements, please view 1tem #1523 in our partially constructed Liverpool shop website at 69aliverpool.co.uk

With a great offering patina. H. 16,5 cm. Mid 20th century or older. Ex Galerie Maine Durieu, Paris

H. 9 cm. Mid 20th century or a bit older. For a similar spoon see the screenshot of the Van Rijn Archive.

From our African Collection: a Hand Carved container from the Easter Democratic Republic of the Congo, hand wrought. 8" x 15", 9" h. Congo’s many ethnic groups and regions have developed a mosaic of traditional arts, including painting, sculpture, music, and dance. There has been a tendency to classify sculpture and carving according to the styles of the areas from which they originate

Very old and nicely carved black mask, of typical conical coiffe and slightly smiling feminine face. Wood, fine patina. Africa, Gabon, Punu Peoples, Tsangui sub-group. Height: 13 1/4" (34 cm). Old accident on left side of coiffe, erosion due to age, otherwise very good condition. Ex. old French collection.

Baule maternity, Côte d’Ivoire. Made for sale by a traditional Baule carver in the 1920’s-30’s. According to Guy van Rijn there were two workshops in those days, where traditional Baule carvers produced objects for commercial purposes. H. 44 cm. Left hand missing, right arm repaired. Ex Dutch private collection, ex Srdjan Sremac, The Hague.

Antique African Dogon Bronze Horse and Rider, well modeled and nicely mounted though one mounting pin came through the lower leg otherwise perfect condition. Nice almost contemporary feel. Size H 4.75" w 4" over all Height 5.75"

Kuba figure, a workshop piece from ca. 1920-1940. This sculpture is typical for the Ecole de Mushengé. This was a school for crafts in the Kuba capital founded by Belgian missionaries, the Josephite fathers from Ghent. The numbers at the bottom confirm this. It represents a nobleman. H. 27 cm. A great example of early commercial carving. Provenance: a Dutch family by descend from their grandparents who lived in Congo.

Hardwood vintage sculpture of an African ancestor image, from the Songye ethnic group, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Old piece, circa 1960s or 1970s a couple of cracks and repairs.. H: 45 cm/17.8in.

Antique, first half of the 20th century, African Tribal throwing knife with hand-forged iron blade of elaborated form adorned on each face with a scored pattern, mounted in hand-carved bulbous wooden handle.

The custom-made metal display stand is included...

Large door lock, representing a standing female. The face expressing a great severity, is framed by a beautiful crenellated hair. Hardwood. Old patina of use. From Bambara tribes Mali

From our African Collection: A Burkino Faso Flying Wing Shield, circa 1940. 24 x 72" Many of the ancient artistic traditions for which Africa is so well known have been preserved in Burkina Faso because so many people continue to honor the ancestral spirits, and the spirits of nature. In great part they honor the spirits through the use of masks and carved figures. The history of Burkina Faso is dominated by its largest ethnic group, the Mossi peoples...

Early 20th century male mask with scarifications. H. 31 cm. Ex David Utzon Frank, Denmark. Ex Srdjan Sremac, The Hague.

This 11" fetish is carved from a dark ebony colored work and has no paint work. The poultice sacks on the body are in excellent condition. Very beautiful, very desirable.

H. 20 cm, mid 20th century. The clapper is missing. Ex coll. Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021), The Netherlands.

Impressive hardwood figure from the Benue region. H. 57 cm. Mid 20th century. Ex coll. Dr. Harald Simon, Germany.

Face mask of oval shape, with typical cubistic features. Wood, dark-brown patina, remnants of kaolin around the eyes. Africa, R.D. Congo (ex. Zaire), Lwalwa Peoples. Height: 11 5/8" (29,7 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Old accident locally restored on top of coiffe, otherwise very good condition.

Made of brass and iron. H. 26 cm. Provenance: W. Häusler, Thurgau, Switzerland, collected in Nigeria in the 1960’s, Hammer Auktionrn, Basel, Switzerland.

From our African Art Collection: An Akan figuring holding an Ashanti Stool, the figure has distinguishable tribal markings on its cheeks. "The Akan (/ˈækæn/) are a meta-ethnicity living in the countries of present-day Ghana and Ivory Coast...

Feminine figure of the "ekwotame" type, of typical face, with a squarish neck, sitting on a circular stool, her hands on her knees. Scarifications alongside the abdomen. Wood, with black and white pigments. Africa, Nigeria, Benue river region, Idoma ethnic group. Height: 63 cm. Some erosion, small losses, otherwise very good condition. Shipping charges: 50 euros worldwide.

An African Mali ceremonial mask. Hand carved with applied brass strips and cowlry shells. Beautiful patina, it measures 15" high x 9" across x 5".

First half of the 20th century. H. 56 cm. Ex Lucas Ratton, Paris. Ex Jan Kusters, Eindhoven. Ex Srdjan Sremac, The Hague. Custom made stand included.

Very rare bronze quiver with four arrows, (their heads made of iron and shafts made of bamboo). The quiver is nicely decorated with geometric designs in relief and leather covers, with a nice reddish-green patina on the bronze. Dimensions: 54 cm long for the quiver and 40 cm long for the arrows. Cameroon, Kirdi ethnic group. Very good condition. NOTE: acquired in 1970 in North West Cameroon.

Bochio figure, Fon, Benin H. 42 cm, hardwood. Nice cubist figure with good age wear.

Palm Wine Drinking Cup, 20th Century Lele people; Democratic Republic of the Congo Wood; well carved portrait with some interior staining from use. Size h 8.5" w 6"

Hardwood stool decorated with four carved figures...

From our African Collection: A Mossi Mask from Burkina Faso, 16" h. TYPES OF ART The Mossi make both political art and spiritual art. Figures are used by the ruling class to validate political power, and masks are used by the conquered peoples to control the forces of nature. Each year at the annual celebrations of the royal ancestors, figures of the deceased kings are displayed. On many occasions each year, especially during the long dry season from October to May, masks appear to honor...

Exceptional pair of African wood carvings from the Nyamwezi tribes of Central Tanzania, the larger measuring 40 1/2" high, including stand, which is 6" x 6" square and about 1 1/2" high.. Both are carved of heavy dense wood, and the forms slightly vary due to the natural shape of the tree trunk or branch from which they were carved. They have inset white bead eyes, which is typical, especially in early figures. The elongated forms are striking, and they both have slightly bent knees, also typ...

Large Widekum mask, of typical form, carved in relief, with an unusual cap, pointed scarifications, slit eyes, small nose, open rectangular mouth showing teeth, protruding chin. The mask is made in wood covered with animal skin. Cameroon, Upper Cross River, West Grassland region. Height: 47 cm. The mask is mounted on a custom stand. Good condition despite slight abrasion due to age. Provenance: old French Provincial collection, acquired in situ early 20th century.

From our African Collection: A Luba Shield from the mid 20th century. 15 w x 40" h. The Luba people or Baluba are an ethno-linguistic group indigenous to the south-central region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.The majority of them live in this country, residing mainly in its Katanga, Kasai, and Maniema provinces. The Baluba consist of many sub-groups who speak various dialects of Luba (e.g. Luba-Kasai, Luba-Katanga) or other languages, such as Swahili. The Baluba developed a soci...