ART CATEGORIES
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A pair of Mitsogo shrine figures
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
African:
Sculpture:
Pre 1960 item# 955550 (stock# M313 & M314)
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click for details
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michael cichon tribal arts
941.224.0440
Price on request
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The Mitsogo have preserved their traditions of 'bwiti', connected with commemoration, divination, and initiations, more fully than any other people in present day Gabon. Cult shrines, called 'ebandza' were the center of the mainly nocturnal activities for each village.
Figures, like this painted, male and female matched pair, were symbolically placed into the shrine, appropriately divided into a male (right) and female (left) half. Sacred, figurative shrine sculptures, some o ...click for details
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A fine Mossi antelope headpiece
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
African:
Sculpture:
Pre 1940 item# 954519 (stock# M64992)
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michael cichon tribal arts
941.224.0440
$4,500.00
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For the Mossi, masks were used primarily during funerals. This graceful animal head cap (zazaido) from the Mossi people shows the distinct features of a small antelope (duiker). The blackened, pronounced crest between the horns possibly alludes to the coiffure of a Fulani woman or to a rooster's feathered head. The mask headpiece is painted with organic pigments in the classic black, red, and white color triad seen on much West and Central African sculpture. The natural materials used for th ...click for details
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A fine Dogon 'Satimbe' mask
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
African:
Sculpture:
Pre 1960 item# 950993 (stock# D653003)
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michael cichon tribal arts
941.224.0440
$8,500.00
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This complex mask form represents a 'yasigine,' a specific type of Dogon woman. Among the Dogon of Mali, West Africa, the name 'Satimbe' means "sister on the head." The image of a woman on these masks represents the few female members of the 'Awa Society,' which is responsible for all masquerades performed. It is believed these legendary women of origin stories first discovered mask-making in primordial times, before it became an exclusively male privilege. In c ...click for details
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A rare Ishan face mask (Agbodogin)
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
African:
Sculpture:
Pre 1940 item# 949736 (stock# I2189w)
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michael cichon tribal arts
941.224.0440
$6,800.00
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The Ishan live outside the limits of Benin City. Their village life is in stark contrast to the royal pomp and circumstance of the Benin Kingdom. Their masquerades celebrate heroes, heroines, and deities that fought the control of Benin and its kings. Not surprisingly, the masquerades and masks are strictly controlled by the Kingdom, and are allowed to perform at only specific periods during the year.
This example shows the classic features of an early example: ears placed high and cut-out, ...click for details
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A Banja male figure
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
African:
Sculpture:
Pre 1930 item# 943180 (stock# Z89)
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michael cichon tribal arts
941.224.0440
$6,500.00
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This faceted, roughly cut wooden figure comes from the extreme northwestern edge of D.R.Congo, close to the Central African Republic. It was made by Banja or possibly a mix of Banja / Ngbandi peoples.
The wood is heavy and dense and shows a remarkably old, softened patina from handling. Known as 'bekimi,' male and female figures in this region are thought to be used in therapeutic rituals. Note the figure's exaggerated ears and open hands, possibly indicative of the type of apotr ...click for details
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A fine Edo (Bini) face mask
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
African:
Sculpture:
Pre 1920 item# 941129 (stock# B40911)
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michael cichon tribal arts
941.224.0440
$5,000.00
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Provenance: Ex-Harry Franklin collection, Los Angeles, California. Purchased at the landmark, Sotheby's, New York auction, April 21, 1990, lot #220. This very old, wooden face mask shows layers of white, chalk-based pigment over top the wooden surface. The patina has acquired an encrusted, thickened look, indicating extensive re-use.
Measuring 13"H x 5.50"W. Condition is very fine with some losses to the painted surface. The mask was once part of Ekpo masquerades which, among favo ...click for details
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A superb Bamana 'Ntomo' mask
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
African:
Sculpture:
Pre 1940 item# 933287 (stock# B614)
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click for details
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michael cichon tribal arts
941.224.0440
Price on request
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An important example of a Bamana 'Ntomo' society mask from the Segou region of Mali, located along the Niger River in the southwestern part of the country. This large face mask shows the comb-like projections typical of the form, but, in addition to this feature, a fully-rendered female figure stands atop the mask.
The paddle-like hands, elongated neck, and fleshy, exaggerated facial features of the figure-and face mask, itself, are an indication of the Segou sub-style. The mask has b ...click for details
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A fine Mambila 'tadep' figure
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
African:
Sculpture:
Pre 1950 item# 929340 (stock# M329900la)
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michael cichon tribal arts
941.224.0440
$7,000.00
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Living on the border of Nigeria and Cameroon, the Mambila people believe ancestral spirits must intercede to maintain a harmonious existence for the living community. Individuals are not capable of addressing the supreme being directly, and wooden figures, like this example, with heart-shaped faces and compressed features, are thought to embody the ancestors who will bring protection, prosperity and wealth to the village. The Mambila association called 'Suaga,' is the reason such figures ...click for details
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