A small cast brass figurative weight of a man with a walking stick carrying a powder keg on his head. These weights were used by goldsmiths for weighing gold dust. This weight is of the Akan peoples of Ghana known as Ashani. Measures about 2.75 inches high. Dates early 20th century
From Ibaden, Nigeria this traditional Yoruba cloth was woven by the men of the village. It was worn tied around the waist of the woman, and used as a baby carrier. This piece was brought back from Africa in 1961. Hand loomed of cotton fibers, it has a wonderful soft color and texture. It measures 10" wide and 68" long including fringe.
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.
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".
Silver Hamsa (five), Moroccan protective amulet in the shape of the hand of Fatima, ornated with a bird; 9 x 5cms. Morocco, Essaouira. CE 24 (see Bibliography)
Old Baule (Baoule) Colonial Period carved wood sculpture of a maternity figure or spirit spouse (Blolo Bla). With elaborate hair and ringed neck. Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire). Pre 1950. Approximately 18” tall.
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
Important shoulder mask from Wajda people a tribe close to Mumuye group , age is at least from mid 20th. Very hard wood , somme local repair , otherwise very good condition considering its age. H 146 cm wide 46 cm , depth 40 cm, the head is 2! cm wide
Interesting Yoruba figure from Eshu cult
Bottom is damaged otherwise the figure is safe
H 62 cm
more information on request
Important masks representing a hyena head, H 36
From a well known french collection
More information on Request
From our African Collection: a Beaded Yoruba Fertility Figure, 12" across base, 40" h. From the 1940s.
Yoruba figurative sculptures for shrines dedicated to various deities often depict female devotees accompanied by children and holding bowls for kola nuts or other offerings. The Lid can be taken off to hold spices, herbs, food, nuts and other offerings to the fertility gods.
H. 85 cm. Mid 20th century. Artist: Tage from Kpwazang (?)
Provenance:
Norfolk State Museum
Marc Assayag, Montreal, Canada
Srdjan Sremac, The Hague
Auction: Dorotheum Vienna, ‘Tribal Art’, March 2022.
From our African Collection: A Maasai Woman Wooden Bust, 9" at base & 22" h.
The Maasai people originated in South Sudan. Their language, known as Maa, is the southernmost of the Nilotic group, including idioms spoken in Ethiopia and Sudan.
They migrated to their current homeland between Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania during the late 17th and early 18th centuries...
Alusi shrine figure. H. 59 cm. First half of the 20th century. Ex Jacques Kerchache (1942 - 2001), ex Christie’s Paris, 29-10-2008, ex galerie Walu Basel, ex Hammer Auktionen.
Guy van Rijn archive ao-0093787-001.
Rare and early Baule figure, made of hardwood with very fine carving. Made by a known carver. H. 32,5 cm. Early 20th century. Lovely age wear and great patina. Provenance: private collection UK.
Anthropomorpic cup, depicting a standing female. H. 21,5 cm. Rare and early piece.
Repair to the rim of the cup.
Provenance: Dutch private collection.
A very rare group from Ketu, Benin, probably used as a divination tray or as a display piece for an important Babalawo. Diameter 52 cm, H. 30 cm. Mid 20th century. The hand of one figure has been replaced.
Ex coll. Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021), The Netherlands
Ex Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg
Guy van Rijn archive: ao-0102485-005 with comments from Ursula Voorhuis and Hans Witte.
The scene depicts the consultation of the Ifa oracle by a woman...
L. 48 cm. Good condition with expected age wear, cracks, some insect damage and some damage to the left ear.
First half 20th century.
Guy van Rijn ao-0083609-001
Provenance:
Arnold Newman (1918-2006), New York, until 2006,
Robert Schrimpf, Paris,
Christie’s Paris, 2006,
Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, 2009.
Wood, animal teeth and hair, human hair, iron.H. 23 cm (without the beard).
Van Rijn: ao-0161468-002
Provenance:
William Siegmann, curator emeritus, Brooklyn Museum, New York.
1st Half 20th century. Excellent condition with age wear and patina.
Provenance:
Karel van der Veer - Düsseldorf/Neuss
Mamadou Keita - Amsterdam
Zemanek - Münster 2017
Van Rijn archive ao-0038957-002
Yale archive 38837-01
Antelope mask from the Eastern Pende Peoples. Early to mid 20th century. Excellent age wear and patina. H. 45 cm.
Yale archive: ao-0038719-001
Provenance:
Coll. Christaens
Coll. Joseph Hans, Brussels
Mamadou Keita, Amsterdam
Danny de Waele, Ghent, Belgium, 1995
Anthropomorphic mask depicting a female. Hardwood with metal earrings. H. 24 cm. First half of the 20th century. A very fine mask with nice scarifications on the cheeks and forehead. Beautiful signs of age and a lovely patina.
Ex Roger Bergmans, Belgium.
Ex Srdjan Sremac, The Hague.
Comes with a beautiful metal stand by Roger Bergmans.
Helmet mask with three faces, Ekoi, Cross River, Nigeria.
Height 62 cm. Mid 20th century.
Partly covered with antelope skin. The headdress and the three figures are attached on (partly new) wooden pins and can easily be removed for transport. There is old rodent damage to the figures.
Ex Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021), The Netherlands.
A (heavy) stand can be included.
More pictures available on request.
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’.
Hardwood and iron. H. 38 cm.
Provenance:
Robert van der Heijden, Amsterdam,
Srdjan Sremac, The Hague.
African Colon Figures
From our African Collection: Colon figures from the Ivory Coast made in the craft of the Baule people.
$2,500 for the pair. Both are 8" at base, 42" h.
The Baule or Baoulé are an Akan people and one of the largest groups in Côte d'Ivoire who historically migrated from Ghana. The Baoulé are traditionally farmers who live in the centre of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), in a triangle shaped region (the Baoule “V”) between the rivers Bandama and N'Zi...
Igbomina region, Omu Aran village. Female figure with scarifications and two bronze bracelets. Early 20th century.
Provenance: Ursula Voorhuis, The Netherlands. She owns one of the largest Yoruba collections in the world.
Early 20th century male mask with scarifications. H. 31 cm.
Ex David Utzon Frank, Denmark.
Ex Srdjan Sremac, The Hague.
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.
Wonderful kneeling female Agere Ifa Figure from the Yoruba People made of wood and pigment, carrying a bowl. The figure has good age and shows much handling.
Such figures could well have been used in the divination process among the Yoruba called Ifa. Cowry shells, cola nuts, may have been kept in the bowl being carried by the woman...
Ashanti doll, 2nd quarter of the 20th century, by a known carver. See Ron van Doorn - Herbert M. Cole : Akua’Ba Asante Wednesday Child, page 154-155. H. 24,5 cm. Provenance: private collection UK.
Colorful altar from the Ketu region in Benin. Carved all around with a maternity figure and 3 other figures. At the back there is an opening with a tin frame. Probably this part was originally covered by a small door.
H. 40 cm, D 30 cm. Mid 20th century or older. Ex coll. Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021), The Netherlands.
Guy van Rijn archive: ao-0104491-001.
Hans Witte commented about this object: this form is typical for the Oshumare shrines from Ketu...
Small and rare fetish figure. Hardwood with feathers, glass, copper, horn, fabric. First half of the 20th century.
H. 13 cm (20 cm with the solid brass stand).
Ex. JM Desaive, Herve, Belgium.
Ex Srdjan Sremac, The Hague.
Dimensions 57x17x7 cm. Extremely old piece with wonderful agewear and patina.
Provenance:
-Galerie Maria Wyss, Basel.
- Udo und Wally Horstmann, Zug.
- Galerie Walu, Zürich.
- Hammer Auktionen, Basel
Comes with a custom made stand.
Elegant figure with great age. H. 30 cm. Condition: old worm holes. Early 20th century.
Provenance:
Christophe Rolley, Paris,
Srdjan Sremac, Den Haag.
Impressive figure of 63 cm. height. Excellent age wear and patina with remains of old infestations.
Ex. Robert van der Heijden, Amsterdam
This item will be exhibited at the Tribal Art Fair Amsterdam, October 25th-27th
www.tribalartfair.nl