Our catalogue > Metalwork of Tribal Africa
Bronze and brass casting have a long history in Africa, partly because of the abundant local supply of copper ore.
The pieces shown here, all of which are for sale, have been carefully selected for their artistic merit, their patina and their provenance.
Each piece has been sourced from within the UK, often from old, colonial-era collections.
Also see our sculptural and ritual works from tribal Africa in other media.
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Enquiry about object: 6799
Pair of Nigerian Cast & Engraved Bronze Bangles
Lower Niger River, Nigeria early 20th century
external diameter (widest): 9.9 to 10.1cm, internal diameter: 5.4 to 5.9cm, combined weight: 1,330g
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 6490
Fang Gilded Bronze Torque
Fang People, Gabon/Cameroon circa 19th century
diameter: at widest point: 19cm, thickness: 3.8cm, weight: 2,217g
Provenance
private collection, London.
Enquiry about object: 4474
Yoruba Cast Brass Opele Oracle Chain
Yoruba People, Nigeria 19th century
circumference: approx.: 96cm, weight: 178g
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 4476
Early, Ashanti Gold Weight Modelled on a Bifurcated Knife (Afenata)
Ashanti People, Ghana 17th century
length: 12.3cm, width: 8.2cm, weight: 107g
Provenance
private collection, London.
Enquiry about object: 4225
Congo Cast-Brass Hairpins
Congo, probably Kuba people. 19th-20th century
21cm & 16.8cm
Provenance
Private collection, London.
Enquiry about object: 5940
Exceptional Pair of Igbo Man’s Cast Brass Wrist Guards or Cuff Bracelets
Igbo People, South-central and South-eastern Nigeria probably 19th century
heights: 17cm, diameters: 10.7cm, combined weights: 1,150g
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 4196
Three Solid Copper Mossi African Hairpins
Mossi People, Burkina Faso 19th century
7.5-9cm
Provenance
Private collection, London.
Enquiry about object: 4624
Cast Brass Senufo Ring
Senufo People, Ivory Coast 19th or early 20th century
weight: 19.6g, ring size: 10.75 (US), V/V (UK)
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 4047
Woman’s Brass & Beaded Headdress & Ear Ornament Set
Kikuyu People, Kenya early 20th century
diameter of each spiral : 8.8cm; length of headdress: 38cm, total weight: 325g
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 2850
Cast Brass Pendant & Brass Bead Necklace
Asante/Ashanti, Ghana, West Africa early 20th century
length of pendant: 12.5cm, length of chain: 66cm, weight: 193g
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 4279
Chief’s Bronze ‘Tiered’ Anklet with Bells
Gio or Dan & Wee People, Liberia & Cote d’Ivoire 19th century
outside diameter: 11.5cm, inside diameter: 7.5cm x 8.5cm, height: 4.3cm, weight: 517g
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 4046
Rare Cast Brass Necklace
Vere People, North-Eastern Nigeria & Cameroon 19th century
length: 69cm, weight: 1,303g
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 4222
Cast Bronze Hairpin of a Horse & Rider
Dogon People, Mali 19th century
length: 19.5cm
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 3104
Pair of Yoruba Bronze Ogboni Staves
Yoruba People, Nigeria 19th century
heights: 22cm, combined wight: 881g
Provenance
acquired from the estate of Dr Peter Sharratt (d. 2014). Sharratt was a linguist and lecturer in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures at the University of Edinburgh who published on Renaissance French sculpture. In his private life, he was an avid collector of tribal art, building up his collection over fifty years. During that time, he bought from UK dealers, collectors and auction houses.
Enquiry about object: 3091
Rare Pair of Ijebu-Yoruba Bronze Ceremonial Anklets
Nigeria 18th century
diameter: 19cm
Provenance
private collection, Isle of Wight, UK.
Enquiry about object: 4462
Nine Copper ‘X’ Currency Crosses
Luba & Yeke People, Katanga Province, Congo 19th century
typical diameter of a cross: 22.5cm Note: Each of these has a custom-made stand - each can be sold separately, or as part of a group.
Provenance
private collection, UK
Enquiry about object: 1880
Cast Brass ‘Chief’s Stool’ Ring with Traces of Gilding
Akan People, Ghana/Ivory Coast 18th-19th century
height: 4cm, weight: 40g
Provenance
Private Collection, Germany, acquired 1960-81
Enquiry about object: 1871
Cast Brass Trophy Head Ring with Traces of Gold
Baule, Mali 18th-19th century
length of bezel: 3.5cm, weight: 17g, ring size (UK): L, (US): 5.75
Provenance
Private Collection, Germany, acquired 1960-81
Enquiry about object: 1879
Ashanti Cast Brass “Double Crocodile” Ring, Ghana
Ashanti, Ghana 18th-19th century
diameter of bezel: 4.7cm, weight: 35g
Provenance
Private Collection, Germany, acquired 1960-81
Enquiry about object: 1882
Akan Cast Brass ‘Sword Hilt’ Ring
Akan, Ghana/Ivory Coast 18th-19th century
height: 4.5cm, weight: 22g
Provenance
Private Collection, Germany, acquired 1960-81
Enquiry about object: 1869
Dogon Cast Brass Fertility Pendant
Dogon People, Mali 19th century
height: 4.3cm, weight: 15g
Provenance
Private Collection, Germany, acquired 1960-81
Enquiry about object: 1885
Akan Cast Brass ‘African Cobra’ Ring, Ghana
Akan, Ghana/Ivory Coast 19th century
length of bezel: 2.7cm, weight: 16g
Provenance
Private Collection, Germany, acquired 1960-81
Enquiry about object: 1874
Akan Cast Brass ‘Seed Pod Cluster’ Ring with Traces of Gilding
Akan, Ghana/Ivory Coast 18th-19th century
width: 4cm, weight: 13g
Provenance
Private Collection, Germany, acquired 1960-81
Enquiry about object: 1873
Akan Cast Brass Peanut Ring or Pendant
Akan, Ghana/Ivory Coast 18th-19th century
height: 5cm, weight: 16g
Provenance
Private Collection, Germany, acquired 1960-81