An exceptional pair of wooden twins, Nigeria, Yoruba, c. later 19th. cent - very early 20th. cent.

A lovely set with blue pigments on their large head dresses, eyes with inlaid metal, tribal tatoos and richly addorned with kauri shells, and jewelry. An early pair with a rich patina and remnants of pigments on both headdresses and body.

Size: c. 27,5 cm...

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.

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...

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.

Attractive figure from the first half of the 20th century. Serene face, great coiffure and the arms and hands positioned in front of the body. H. 34 cm. Provenance: Ex. Christensen Fund Collection. Coll. Number CC/40296 under the base of the figure (now invisible). Ex. Srdjan Sremac, The Hague. Guy van Rijn archive: ao-0202547-001.

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...

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

A very early pair of wooden twins, both females, 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. 1880-1930)

The lovely set with large headdresses are both richly adorned with bead bracelets...

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...

An unusual and exquisite pair of wooden twins, oruba People, Oyo Region, 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, dating back to the 19th.-early 20th. century.

The lovely set with large headdresses, and exceptional facial features and both richly adorned with jewelry...

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...

An unusual and exquisite pair of wooden twins, Nigeria, Yoruba, 19th. cent.

The lovely fine set with large headdresses, and exceptional facial features including large teeth! Both richly adorned with jewelry.

A very early pair with an exceptional patina...

An unusual and exquisite pair of wooden twins, Yoruba People, Oyo Region, 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, dating back to the 19th.-early 20th. century.

The lovely set with unusually large heads, and exceptional facial features with large tribal tattoos. This pair of ibeji figures (ibeji means ‘born two’) stands with th...

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.

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This exquisite casting head is a fine example of one of the most famous metalworking traditions in world history. The details on this head are stunning, from the splendid facial expression, to the detailed rendering of its formal crown. One can only imagine the true splendor of the old court of Ife.

The present head is an early 20th Century copy modeled after the great Yoruba center at Ife dating originally approximately 1100 -1450 A.D. The famous archaeologi...

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.

Antique Japanese tamba storage jar. Large open mouth with akadobe glaze, which consists of russet and blue runny glaze. Tapers in shape down to the base. This form is animated through the irregularities of the firing of the kiln.

Edo Period 19th Century

25" Diameter x 24"