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
moving to the 'spirit' world,
to discipline and to educate.

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

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

Jewelry is made 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 to collect
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.