African Masks & Tribal Artifacts

African tribal art has many forms.

Masks are used in tribal dances to placate the spirit world, to propitiate good health, to promote ample harvest, to
protect deceased loved ones as they journey to the'other' world, to discipline and to educate.

Carvings are made to protect a village from bush spirits or to please a spouse in the other world.

Textiles are created to clothe, decorate and demonstrate domestic skills.

Jewelry is crafted to adorn the body.

Pottery, musical instruments, and implements are made to reinforce cultural values and shared traditions, and bring beauty to every day life.

From the time we began collecting African Tribal Art, more than 40 years ago, we've seen changes that have splintered the "market" into three parts.

At the top are ancient pieces that are priced beyond the means of most people who would be interested in them.

The bottom tier is cheap, mass-produced tribal-like wall art.

The middle tier is where we serve. Everything from Africa that we offer, we acquired personally, either in Africa
or from trusted dealers in African tribal art. It is all quality art, if not at the top of the category. None is "airport art".

We include Certificates of Authenticity, explaining the history of the item and how it came into our possession. (Some of it has been exhibited in museums and is so noted.)

Click the button below to link to a list of tips on how to evaluate and select African Tribal Art that appeals to you.

AFRICAN MASKS

AFRICAN ARTIFACTS

Yoruba oshe Shango dance wands and shrine objects.

Please note: Since Yoruba Shango carvings tend to be anatomically explicit, we have obscured portions of items in thumbnails. Clicking on each item will reveal unedited larger views of that wand.