ART CATEGORIES
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A Dan wooden feasting spoon with head
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
African:
Sculpture:
Pre 1950 item# 1123446 (stock# D497716)
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michael cichon tribal arts
941.224.0440
Price and further provenance on request
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The large, ritual utensil showing a female portrait effigy head with a tri-partite coiffure at the top of the handle. Such spoons were prized gifts received by a woman after being recognized as the most generous, giving, hospitable host in the village. A thick, slightly encrusted, black patina covers the spoon and is appropriately worn away at the tip and backside of the scoop area, indicating repetitive use. The face has received organic white paint across the eyes and aluminum teeth have been ...click for details
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An unusual Punu maiden mask (mukudj)
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Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
African:
Sculpture:
Pre 1940 item# 1122984 (stock# P12972)
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michael cichon tribal arts
941.224.0440
Price and further provenance on request
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Although exhibiting many classic maiden mask features, this old example has an equal amount of aberrant characteristics for such masks: its form is narrow and deep compared to most examples, the wood is of medium-heavy density with a pithy core which has been left in-place at the top, but removed at the bottom where the hole was intentionally bored-out, indicating the mask was displayed and probably stored on a pole rather than worn (since there are no holes for strapping). A whitened surface ex ...click for details
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Asante Aku'aba figure
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Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
African:
Sculpture:
Pre 1940 item# 1122962 (stock# A99621)
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michael cichon tribal arts
941.224.0440
$950.00
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One of the most ubiquitous of African forms, these fertility dolls were given to barren Asante women and carried tucked into their waist belts for a prescribed period of time. After that time period, the figures were kept on shrines within the houses of the patients. This old example has much personality and apparent signs of use. A combination of glass trade beads and tiny seed-like beads strung around the neck. Early 20th C, Ghana, West Africa. The figure measures 11 7/8"H x 4"W and ...click for details
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A Luba male 'bifwebe' mask
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Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
African:
Sculpture:
Pre 1940 item# 1111557 (stock# L298852)
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michael cichon tribal arts
941.224.0440
Price and further provenance on request
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These 'white masks' are used by the secret society known as 'Bifwebe'. The absence of scarification marks and a prominent crest indicates this mask is a male version. The type is found in the northern region of Luba territory and shows strong Songye influence. Such masks were once danced to celebrate the accession of a new chief or to mark the death of respected members of the 'Bifwebe' society. Their meaning has changed among the Luba today, becoming less enigmatic and l ...click for details
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A superb Igbo Izzi elephant spirit mask
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
African:
Sculpture:
Pre 1940 item# 1111307 (stock# I724990)
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michael cichon tribal arts
941.224.0440
Price and further provenance on request
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This well-used elephant spirit mask, called 'Ogbodo Enyi', was a symbol of strength and clarity for the community. It has been centuries since elephants roamed Nigeria, and this type of abstracted image of that creature is the result of verbal description rather than artistic license. Bonnie Weston (1984) reports that in 1975, when an epidemic killed many Igbo-Izzi children, a local oracle offered a successful course of healing. The oracle asked that women dance Ogbodo Enyi to show t ...click for details
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A fine Yoruba mask for 'Egungun' association
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Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
African:
Sculpture:
Pre 1930 item# 1111207 (stock# Y169844)
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michael cichon tribal arts
941.224.0440
$1,500.00
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Of smaller size, showing the image of scarified male face, probably that of an ancestor. His puffy cheeks and filed teeth indicate maturity and, along with the wide-brimmed hat, give the image a somewhat animated, if not bizarre, appearance. The 'Egungun' association dance such masks during times of crisis, at annual ceremonies, and for funerals. Made from a hard, dense wood, with organic pigments, fiber and glass beads. Early 20th century, from Nigeria. 8.50"H x 8.50"D x 7&quo ...click for details
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A Somali wooden headrest (Barkin)
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
African:
Artifacts:
Pre 1940 item# 1101867 (stock# S27899)
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michael cichon tribal arts
941.224.0440
$550.00 further provenance on request
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This is a fine example of the formal and graceful headrests from the Horn area of Africa. It exhibits the classic guilloche pattern on its sides and base, reflecting an Islamic influence. The curvilinear form is intentionally unstable since they are frequently used by herdsman while at rest, standing on one leg.
They are, not surprisingly, a symbol of vigilance among the Somali and neighboring Boni, Hawiya, and Digil groups. There is an incised design on the top of this headrest which is vaguel ...click for details
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