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Not to be confused with the Wayang Topeng mask used in a dramatic form of dance performances, this mask was used in performances and stories about the kingdom of Janggala . . . about a love story between a prince and princess. Obviously not used by the…
Continue reading → - Item Number: M-1600
- Provenance/Origin: Bali through Thailand. Age unknown
- Composition: Wood
- Dimensions: 12" tall x 5.5" at widest point
- Weight: 1 pound
- Price: $ 88.00 USD
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The Zigula are a Tanzanian ethnic and linguistic people from the northern Pwani Region and southern Tanga Region. Zigua art, like most art from Tanzania, is poorly understood… and frequently misidentified. They absolutely have a vibrant tradition of ritual carvings. Their “mummy” figures are thought…
Continue reading → - Item Number: S-3750
- Provenance/Origin: Zigua. Tanzania. Mid- to Late- 1900s
- Composition: Wood and Fabric
- Dimensions: 13.25" tall x 3" wide x 2" deep
- Weight: 1 pound
- Price: $ 315.00 USD
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Acquired from the Hunt Slonem’s collection, an American painter and sculptor. Interestingly enough, one of his most well-known quotes is: “I would say my whole life could be summed up by the word ‘exotica’”. Wonder what the rest…
Continue reading → - Item Number: S-6330
- Provenance/Origin: 18th Century, Thailand. Slonem Collection
- Composition: Wood
- Dimensions: 12" tall x 7" wide x 5" deep
- Weight: 3.75 pounds
- Price: $ 385.00 USD
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By now you know the significance of this Hindu deity riding between the Garuda (protector) wings. If not, ask me. I have books on the symbolism . Carved in the 1940s -1950s in the town of Ubud in the…
Continue reading → - Item Number: S-1250
- Provenance/Origin: Ubud Bali. 1940s - 1950s
- Composition: Wood, gold leaf, paint
- Dimensions: 36" tall x ~34" at widest
- Weight: ~25 pounds
- Price: $ 1,650.00 USD
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Look at the dynamic carvings of this helmet mask. The high and bulging forehead is quite normal for this ethnic group. But the depth and symbolism of the carvings is quite extraordinary. I have spent some time in trying to determine the significance of this…
Continue reading → - Item Number: M-8069
- Provenance/Origin: Congo. Circa mid-1900s
- Composition: Wood and Cord
- Dimensions: 15" tall x 9" wide x 8" deep
- Weight: 2.75 pounds
- Price: $ 265.00 USD
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An object d’art wooden bird mask, with a quality suitable for a museum exhibit. Superbly carved by Chokwe artisans to honor divine ancestors. Acquired from a Pretoria South African Gallery whose owner has direct access to chiefs in the Congo. Based on my purchases and…
Continue reading → - Item Number: M-2486
- Provenance/Origin: DNC, Congo. Circa 1975 - 1900s
- Composition: Wood, pigment, woven vegetal fibers
- Dimensions: 16" tall x 12" wide x 8" deep
- Weight: 4 pounds (mask alone)
- Price: $ 1,195.00 USD
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One of the three known royal masks, the helmet Bwoom is one of the oldest mask types used by the Kuba. These were introduced in the 17th Century by King Miko mi-Mbul. Most often used in funerals, they are also used…
Continue reading → - Item Number: M-5805
- Provenance/Origin: Kuba peoples. DRC. Circa mid-1900s
- Composition: Wood. Twine and fabric.
- Dimensions: 15" tall x 14" at widest x 16" deep
- Weight: 7.5 pounds (mask alone)
- Price: $ 835.00 USD
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I have seen many spears from this region of New Guinea during my 50 years of collecting but not quite like this one. The intricate wood carving with its design and detail is quite spectacular. I believe it is carved from Black Palm. Black Palm is…
Continue reading → - Item Number: O-8462
- Provenance/Origin: PNG. Blackwater. Circa mid-1990s
- Composition: Wood, perhaps Black Palm
- Dimensions: 43" long x 4" at widest
- Weight: 1.25 pounds
- Price: $ 378.00 USD
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The Yoruba peoples inhabit a large part of southwestern Nigeria. They have been known to place their trust in the powers of the fetish to assist them during times of need. A fetish – aka Nkisi – is a wood carving that the village…
Continue reading → - Item Number: S-6567
- Provenance/Origin: Yoruba. SW Nigeria. Circa mid-1900s
- Composition: Wood, cloth, fibers, metal
- Dimensions: 12" tall x 4.5" wide x 4" deepest
- Weight: 1.75 pounds
- Price: $ 385.00 USD
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Sure, the Ibans / Dayaks were renowned for practicing headhunting to further territorial expansion. They had a fearsome reputation until the Europeans arrived with their colonization in the 1800s. Some headhunting episodes were reported into the mid-1900s. There were rituals, ceremonies and festivals all…
Continue reading → - Item Number: O-2751
- Provenance/Origin: Dayak, Indonesia, Circa 1940s. From a private collection
- Composition: Wood and metal stand
- Dimensions: 36.5" on stand x 1.5" diameter at widest point
- Weight: 2.25 pounds
- Price: $ 465.00 USD
