An unusual pair of large wooden male twins, Nigeria, Yoruba, 19th. cent.

The fine twins are wearing round helmet-like headdresses and exceptional facial features including large teeth! Both adorned with jewelry. Note the preserved body pigments, that is often washed off on older figures!

An early pair with an exceptional patina.

Size: 30,5-31 cm...

A high quality and rare pair of male and female wooden twins, Yoruba People, Nigeria, 19th.-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)

The lovely set with very pecular 'punk' hairdresses and they are both adorned with bead bracelets...

A rare and impressive Nigerian hardwood feritility figure of a naked female, Igala, very early carving from the 19th. century.

A very artful style, caught with her arms at the side and fists clenching, decorated with a twin hairstyle and tribal tattoes incl a phallic design on the arms and a lizzard on the back.

Size: 40 cm. tall incl. the low wooden base, 37,5 cm...

Probably one of the earliest pairs (man and woman) in the collection, dating to the Yoruba People, Nigeria, 'Oshogbo' - deep in the 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 helmets are both richly adorned with bead bracelets...

An early pair of wooden twins, both females, Yoruba People, Nigeria, 19th. to 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)

The lovely set with large headdresses, and both richly adorned with metal and bead bracelets. Interesting depiction of the facial features on this pair...

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...

A very rare pair of male and female wooden twins wearing sandals, Yoruba People, Nigeria, probably 19th. or 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...

A high quality and rare pair of male and female wooden twins, 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 very pecular 'punk' hairdresses and they are both adorned with bead bracelets...

An early large pair of wooden twins, both males, 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 adorned with bead bracelets. This pair of ibeji figures (ibeji means ‘born two’) stands with their hands on the...

An early pair of wooden twins, both males, 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 adorned with silver bracelets and pearls. This pair of ibeji figures (ibeji means ‘born two’) stands with their hands...

Ogboni, Brass, Yoruba, Nigeria. H. 18 cm. 19th/early 20th century. The iron pins are missing. Ex coll. Ursula Voorhuis (1932 - 2021).

Bakongo dance staff/rattle H. 32 cm, early 20th century Inlaid eyes. Some missing parts, see pictures. Rare and early object.

A pair of unresearched very early african ceramic sculptural art, probably Akan and Nigeria, pre 18th. century and one is probably ancient!

Sold as one lot.

Size: The head is 16,5 cm. incl. the nice base, the other is c. 14,5 cm. tall.

Provenance: Collection of Gunna Munkvad, Denmark, aquired from the 1950s-1980s.

Fine large and early pair of wooden twins, both females, Yoruba People, Oyo Region, Nigeria, late 19th./ early 20th. century. Mosho on an old note below the base, which is possible referring to the town of Moshi.

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 ...

A very early pair of wooden twins, both males, 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 jewelry and kauri shells. This pair of ibeji figures (ibeji means ‘born two’) stands with the...

Superb pair of elaborate wooden twins, both females, Yoruba People, Eruwa city, Nigeria, 19th./ 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, dating back to the 19th.-early 20th. century.

The lovely set with fantastic openwork headdresses, with blue pigments and exceptional facial features and both richly adorned with jewelry. This pair of...

Fine early pair of wooden twins, male and female, Yoruba People, Oyo Region, Nigeria, 19th./ 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, dating back to the 19th.-early 20th. century.

The lovely set with large headdresses, and exceptional facial features and both richly adorned with jewelry. This pair of ibeji figures (ibeji means ‘born...

A rare painted early wooden figure, Ivory Coast, Baulé, from the famous Danish Artist and Sculptor, Robert Jacobsen private collection and from the 19th.- or very early 20th. century

The figure appears facing the front, symmetrical with her arms resting on her stomach, which was a sign of peace for the Baulé people. She is dressed in a loincloth painted in black, red and white.

An artful carving in a hard dark solid wood. Wonderful facial expression even for the elabor...

An important high quality early wooden figure, Ivory Coast, Baulé, provenanced and from the 19th. century

The sculpture representing a seated woman, hands on her knees, seated on a chair, carved with incredible realism and details in the nude. Wood with fading colours and much brown-black patina. The sculpture presents the traditional baule keloids scars and a braided hairstyle, finely chiseled. The details are stunning on this lady, her painted eyes, her jewelry and her scarificati...

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. A well-trimmed beard below the jaw and Aa particularly refined hairstyle on this figure, can be attribu...

Another lovely pair of wooden twins, Nigeria, Yoruba, c. 19th. cent.

The fine set of male and female with large headdresses, and exceptional facial features. Both adorned with jewelry.

A very early pair with an exceptional patina. This pair was part of Lau Sundes personal collection, see below.

Size: 27,5-28 cm. tall.

Condition: Choice Very fine with a fine patina and smooth wear from extensive worship and use, tiny chips and surface cracks, consiste...

A very early and rare pair of wooden twins, Nigeria, Yoruba, probably deep into the 19th. cent.

The fine set with blue pigments on their large headdresses, eyes with inlaid metal, tribal tatoos and addorned with jewelry. A very early pair with an exceptional patina and remnants of pigments on both headdresses and body.This pair was part of Lau Sundes personal collection, see below.

Size: 30-31 cm. tall.

Condition: Choice Very fine with a lovely patina and smoo...

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. tall.

Condition: Extremely fine for types, with only very minor wear, consistent with the high age for the...

An adorable and substantial Kissi-Noboli figure, Sierra Leone / Liberia, early excarvated type, pre 19th. century AD.

The greyish brown steatite figure is depicting a squating older man holding his hands in front of his knees. Groteque facial features. '

Nomoli figurines are among the earliest works of art from Sierra Leone.[3] The figurines and similar stone sculptures are the only known remains of an empire that existed hundreds of years ago in what is now Sierra Leone an...

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 unusual large and very early version of the currency bracelet, used also by slave traders in the in West Africa - these served as exchange currency.

A very ornate bracelet with miniature decoration around the three hemispheric profiles.

Size: 109 mm. wide and 59 mm. high. Weigh: 367 grams.

Condition: Good Very fine, small bumps, but intact with a lovely warm green, brownish red patina.

Ex. Old Danish Private Colection

Quite detailed and with a nice patina.

Size: 32 mm. tall.

Comes with original ID card from the Oberländer collection and imprint!

Provenance: Gustav Oberländer (1926-2012), Oberländer aquired his massive and important collection of seals between 1985 - 2000s, bought at reputable dealers and from old collections. Gustav Oberländer specialized in early stamp and cylinder seals from the pre-historic and Dynastic civilizations in the Near East / Mesopotamia, Ana...

This is an authentic 19th-century Ethiopian Abyssinian Coptic Orthodox brass blessing cross comprised of three intricately cast and attached elements.

The cross is decorated with intricate geometric patterns arranged in a lattice design, resulting in a stunning visual effect. The cross is attached to a long handle with a square section, and the handle has an ornate finial consisting of a pierced rectangular panel topped by a cross.

A blessing cross is a hand cross held by a priest or...

An exceptional example of the antique Ethiopian Coptic Christian processional cross of unusual form 17th -18th century Ethiopia, Solomonic Dynasty.

The cross is made of cast copper alloy (white bronze) and has been pierced and engraved in openwork with an intricate pattern of interwoven lines, topped with small crosses. Two circular decorations flank the bottom of the cross; this motif refers to the divine halo of Christ. The cross is mounted on a tapering conical socket decorated with a...

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.

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.

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

Unusual Baule mask with three hair knots, large scarifications around the eyes and on the cheeks. A pendant on the forehead. The Van Rijn archive mentions that , according to oral history’ this mask was collected ca 1900, so it would date from the 19th century. H. 32 cm. Ex French colonial collection, ex private German collection until 2021.

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.

A Fine antique African Diviner Janus Slit Gong Drum (Mukoku- Ngoombu), Yaka, D.R. Congo/Angola late 19th or first half of the 20th century. Finely carved drum forming a hollowed cylindrical body with a slit at the front side, surmounted by a Janus head on a short neck with large, pointed nose, protruding oval eye. Two brass bels attached to the neck on the twisted fibre cord.

The wood with fine old natural glossy patina. Mounted on the custom-made square iron base.

High including base...

Large Antique African Tribal round bowl, hand carved from one piece of wood, with integral suspension loop and decorated with geometric design.

CONDITION: Signs of usage and wear, the wood with fine old natural dark patina, old cracks and chips, part of the side broken off, small white points and blotches from the wall paint.

APPROXIMATE DIMENSIONS:

Diameter: 42.5 cm (16.73 inches). Height: 8 cm (3.15 inches).

PROVENANCE: Old collection of tribal art Canada.

A spectacular authentic, circa 1900 A.D. to mid-20th century, or older, African maiden spirit helmet mask "agbogho mmwo" from the Igbo people of Nigeria, used by the male Mmwo secret society. Agbogho mmwo helmet masks (also called agbogho monnwu, or ikorodo, meaning ‘maiden spirit mask’). Extremely well carved from one piece of wood, with crisp facial features, long narrow face, slit eyes with arching eyebrows, narrow protruding nose; thin-lipped closed mouth and small ears, scarification on...

A rare antique, late 19th-early 20th century, African Tribal Ceremonial Axe-Hatchet used by shaman as the accessory for the Bwami secret society divination practices. The brown dyed bone shaft is finely carved with three tribal figures. The top figure depicts an African woman with large breast wearing the conical hat wrapped in twisted copper wire. The bottom figure depicting an African man with the Erect Phallus formed from the rear spike of the iron axe blade and wrapped in twisted copper wire...

A very unusual antique 19th-20th century African ceremonial dagger with a carved and dyed bone grip in the form of a human figure, has a hand forged flat, double-edged shaped rusted iron blade with a elaborate leaf shape scabbard made of two pieces of stiffened hide sown together with twisted twine and adorned on the center with carved and dyed bone tribal ancestor mask within an intricate pattern made of dyed Cowrie Shells stitched to the rawhide.

CONDITION: Age and usage is showing, hilt ...

Antique, 19th century North African, Morocco-Algeria, Islamic Maghrib, Kabyle, Kabylie, enamel silver, jeweled turban pin brooch, Sarpech -Aigrette (feather support for turban).

Details: This impressive Sarpech is of classical form, composed of several well-made separate elements of solid silver, soldered together, including a long stem with a flower head end. The upper part of the stem is surmounted by an elaborate terminal that is decorated with delicate filigree work adorned with enam...

Very rare and fine bronze figure of a woman holding her breasts. H. 14,5 cm. Ex coll. Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021), The Netherlands.

Lovely intact ceramic bust, likely a memorial portrait (nsodie) of an Akan nobleman from the part of Africa which is today southern Ghana and southeastern Côte d'Ivoire. This is a very early type and quite attractive with it's diminutive arms.

Size: c. 10,5 cm. tall.

Condition: Intact with minor corrosion and patina.

Ex. Danish private Collection

An antique pair of Tuareg tent (stakes) made of a hand carved wood. Unique nomadic tribal carvings decorate the upper portion of each piece. Mounted on a removable custom fabricated iron base.

Age: Late 19th Century

Dimensions: (of largest) 52 1/2" High by 7" Wide by 7" Deep

A fine set of the earliest types of bronze Manillas socalled Slavetrader bracelets, Africa, Nigeria, 16th.-18th. cent. AD.

These were made and used as currency well up in the 19th. century, but our selection are very old! These come with exceptionally fine jade like patinas and were wrongly sold as European bronzeage bracelets.

Size: Up to 8,2 cm. in diameter. Weight: 720 grams.

Ex. Old private collection, 1974-2015

African ibeji carved wooden figure, Yoruba people, Nigeria. With striated upswept coiffure and tatoo on the belly. Male figure with superb rich patina.


The Yoruba figures on the market are oftentimes not old. This is a very old figure, likely from the early 20th. century.

Size: c. 26 cm.- 10,2 inches.

Ex. Lau Sunde.

A fine and very varied selection of 11 currency cobber, bronze and brass currency (money) bracelets of larger sizes, West to North Africa, ca. 17th-19th. century.

The collection consists of a huge Nigerian or Niger brownish patinated bronze or cobber bracelet, weighing ca. 840 grams! More West African pieces and some Northern African bracelets among which a particular nice brass armring with the decorated large finials of the Tuaregs, weighing ca. 475 grams.

11 armrings /...

A pair lovely unmounted figural staves, unusually large and detailed for the type, comes with a deep natural patina from old age.

These two figures known as edan have been cast in brass over iron rods. Each is a seated figure of the opposite sex. They are linked by a chain attached to loops to the tops of their heads. The figures resemble Onile, the owner of the earth, in both male and female forms.

Size: 27,5 cm. long and weighing around 925 grams

Condition: C...

African Makonde tribe ceremonial carved wood mask of a human head with real human hair. 19th century. An early and rare ceremonial mask that was actually for tribal use, utilizing genuine human hair.

A vintage carved wood ceremonial 'Crocodile' mask used by the Mano tribe in Liberia, Ivory Coast, Africa. 19th/20th Century. Size" 30 inches ht x 10 inches x 13 inches. Carved wood, adorned with hide, red fabric and cowrie shells.

This is a traditional Antique Coptic Christian scroll from the Oromo people of Ethiopia. Painted on Vellum (processed animal skin) and using a special black and red ink, the text is in the now extinct language of Ge'ez, which was originally used for religious purposes. Kitabe scrolls were often placed in a leather case and were carried as amulet. Unfortunately, this one does not have the carrying case...and some ink loss presumably from water exposure. It is full length...roughly 4 i...

This Antique leather Tuareg belt is from the African region of Timbuktu, Mali. The total length of the belt including the fringe is roughly 46 inches. The 2 leather talisman or amulets are flat and they loosely loop around the belt so their position can be re arranged. They were sewn shut, protecting the contents. Because of their inaccessibility...it is not possible to know if the contents are amulets or talisman. They measure roughly 3 inches x 2.5... and 3.5 inches x 2.5. Amulets are...

An Akan gilt metal gold weight cast as a bird on round tapering base. The Akan gold weights are quite unique in the world for their forms. Their weights are so distinguished by their shape that they are now considered decorative art forms only few inches in size. Historically, they were used for measuring gold dust, which was circulating as currency in Ghana and Ivory Coast among the Akans from the 15th until the end of the 19th century. Measures 2.75 inches high and dates late 1800s.

It is made of genuine golden yellow Baltic amber that is opaque yet glowing and slightly translucent in bright light. It shows signs of old wear and has been repaired with silver/white metal staples and a band of braided wire around the circumference. These beads were always valued very highly, and sometimes the repaired examples are even more highly prized. Diameter, 36 mm; weight, 18.9 g. Condition: Old wear, chips and accretions. Price: USD $480; CAD $635 (13% HST will be applied on a...

This antique traditional tribal dagger was made and used by the Manding people who are indigenous to the Western Sudan region of Africa. The dagger is 10 inches long and has a leather covered pommel. The blade is dulled and rusted with a small bend at the tip. The original matching scabbard has traditionally woven worked leather decoration with belt loop and tassel.

Antique Benin cast Bronze Royal Couple Sculpture, good condition other than heavy natural looking bronze rot from what appears to burial causing the surface metal to chip away easily . Size H 6" W 3.5" Old French collection

Early Dogon Bronze Horse and Rider with a Spear from an old French collection. Unique elongated style . Great condition some burial deposits. size L 5" H 5.25"

collection of 4 west African 'Gris gris' leather bound talismans containing protective amulets largest 13cm excluding neck cord. undated, estimated to be early to mid 20th cent. can be viewed in central London.

Large NGONTANG helmet mask (all seeing mask) from the Fang people in Gabon, very well used and worn and in great condition - pre 1920 and definitely rare.

Size: 41 cm - 2 kg

Known as Ngontang (or Ngontanga), this mask variety appeared among the Fang people of southern Cameroon and Gabon shortly before 1920. It represents a spirit of the dead visiting as a young white woman from the world beyond. The mask was used to locate sorcerers–those who misuse spiritual power...

This extraordinary statue comes from the Kuyu people who live between the Sangha and upper Ogowe Rivers, D.R.Congo.

Very large and heavy terracotta statue, covered with shiny and vivid colors, made around the early 20th century - in our family collection since 1950.

This wonderful figure will hold a prominent place in any Tribal Art collection.

We also have 2 more Kuyu terracotta statues from the same period. Please ask us for further details.

The ...

Large and early terracotta pipe bowl, BAMILEKE or TIKAR, Cameroon Africa. Gritty terracotta clay with losses as seen. Size 7.75" by 4"