Our catalogue > Tribal Art – Africa
African tribal art is among the most faked of all arts. The vast majority of what is on the market has little historical value or merit for the serious collector. 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. We do not buy from Africa or from those with recent connections to Africa. This is very important.
For this reason, we tend to have many Yoruba pieces because the UK colonised Nigeria and so the UK today is an excellent place to source genuine, old Yoruba art.
Items sold by us are represented in important public collections, including the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, & the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris.
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Enquiry about object: 6812
Rare Pair of Large, Igbo Woman’s Brass Anklets (Ogba)
Igbo People, Nigeria 19th century
diameter: approximately 34.5cm, height: 11.9cm, combined weight: 2,990g (1,498g and 1,492g)
Provenance
private collection, Channel Islands, UK.
Enquiry about object: 6811
Unusual Ashanti Carved Wooden Articulated Comb (Duafe)
Akan-Ashanti People, Ghana late 19th century-early 20th century
height: 34.7cm, width: 12cm, weight: 192g
Provenance
private collection, London.
Enquiry about object: 6960
Fine Pair of Oyo Yoruba Ibeji Twins
Yoruba People, Oyo, Igbuke Region, Nigeria late 19th century-early 20th century
height: approximately 27.1cm, combined weight: 563g
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 6635
Fine Tsonga Headrest
Tsonga People, South Africa & Zimbabwe 19th-early 20th century
height: 10.8cm, width: 18.5cm, weight: 229g
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 6642
Superb Nigerian Ibibio Carved Wooden Mask
Ibibio People, Cross River & adjacent regions, Nigeria 19th-early 20th century
height: 31cm, width: 29cm, depth: 19cm, weight: 1,104g
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 6650
Sudan Bongo Carved Wooden Stool or Headrest
Bongo People, South Sudan 19th-early 20th century
width: 23.2cm, height: 11.6cm, depth:12.1cm, weight: 535g
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 6523
Mongo Woven Woman’s Buttock Shield
Mongo People, Congo early 20th century
length: approximately 98cm, width of pompom: 12cm, weight: 292g
Provenance
private collection, London, UK.
Enquiry about object: 6492
Very Rare & Early Yoruba Shango Priest’s Costume with Leather & Mirrors
Yoruba People, Nigeria circa 1850
length: 96.5cm, width: 54.5cm (approximately)
Provenance
found in the attic of a house in northern England where it is believed to have been stored undisturbed since at least the 1930s.
Enquiry about object: 6493
Rare & Early Yoruba Shango Shrine Leather Bag (Laba)
Yoruba People, Nigeria circa 1850
width: 49.5cm
Provenance
found in the attic of a house in northern England where it is believed to have been stored undisturbed since at least the 1930s.
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: 6103
Rare Pair of Ibibio Nigerian Carved Wooden Masks
Ibibio People, southern Nigeria early 20th century
heights: 28cm & 26cm
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 5848
Rare Toma Mask with Articulated Jaw (Landai)
Toma People, Liberia & Guinea 19th-early 20th century
height: 43cm, width: 15.4cm, depth: 14cm
Provenance
private collection, Scotland
Enquiry about object: 6436
Fine, Nigerian Yoruba Gelede Dance Headdress
Yoruba People, Nigeria circa 1920
height: 46cm, length: 27cm, width: 31cm, weight: 1,765g
Provenance
formerly in the collection of the late Dr James Bynon, lecturer in Berber studies, School of Oriental & African Studies, University College London.
Enquiry about object: 4806
Unusual Yoruba Ibeji Figure (Ere Ibeji)
Yagba Tribe, Egbe Region, Nigeria late 19th century
height: 23.5cm; weight: 398g
Provenance
Volta Place Gallery, Washington DC; Pendarell (Pen) Kent Collection.
Enquiry about object: 5722
Zulu Wooden Ear Plugs with Bakelite Tile Decoration
Zulu People, South Africa circa 1940
diameter (each): 6.5cm, combined weight: 61g
Provenance
private collection, UK.
Enquiry about object: 4326
Carved Wooden Dog Fetish Figure (Koso)
Vili People, Republic of Congo early 20th century
length: 24cm; width: 7cm and height: 8cm
Provenance
Estate of the London collector, Seward Kennedy, 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: 4517
Ovimbundu Carved Wooden Sceptre
Ovimbundu People, Angola 19th century
height: 54cm
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 1865
Fine Ifa Yoruba Divination Bowl
Yoruba People, Nigeria circa 1920 or earlier
height: 19cm, width at widest point: 24cm
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 5710
Dutch Colonial Surinamese Escaped African Slave (Maroons or Bushinengues) Wooden Stool
Maroon or Bushinengue People, Suriname, South America 19th-early 20th century
length: 40cm, height: 29cm, width: 23cm
Provenance
private collection, London.
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: 5724
Zulu Wooden Ear Plugs with Bakelite Tile Decoration
Zulu People, South Africa circa 1940
diameters: 5.5cm, thickness: 0.8cm
Provenance
private collection, UK
Enquiry about object: 5742
Pair of Gurunsi Bronze Bracelets
Gurunsi (Grunshi) People, northern Ghana & southern Burkina Faso 18th-19th century
width: 9.5cm, height: 9.3cm, combined weight: 684g
Provenance
UK art market
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: 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: 4516
Carved Wooden Prestige Sceptre
Ovimbundu People, Angola 19th century
length: 55cm
Provenance
UK art market
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: 4267
Woman’s Wooden Lip Plate
Kichepo People, Sudan, & Surma People, Sudan/Ethiopia 19th-early 20th century
width: 13.3cm, length: 9.6cm, thickness: 1.6cm
Provenance
private London collection.
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: 4824
Woven Rattan Congo Comb
Teke People, Congo 19th century
height: 16.2cm, width: 5.7cm
Provenance
old, private UK collection.
Enquiry about object: 3890
Yoruba Janus-Headed Shango Dancing Wand
Yoruba People, Nigeria 19th century
length: 31.5cm
Provenance
UK art market
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: 4574
Carved Horn Miniature Divination Image of Eshu (Ikin Ifa)
Yoruba People, Nigeria 19th century
height: 7.6cm
Provenance
private London collection
Enquiry about object: 3104
Pair of Yoruba Bronze Ogboni Staves
Yoruba People, Nigeria early 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: 3115
Fine, Carved Wooden Baule Catapult
Baule People, Ivory Coast probably 19th century
height (not including stand): 16cm, width: 6.5cm
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: 3107
Yoruba Eshu Dance Wand
Yoruba People, Egba Tribe, Abeokuta, Nigeria late 19th century
height: approximately 25cm, width: approximately 6cm
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: 3105
Songye Androgynous Power Figure
Songye People, Congo first half of the 20th century
height: 48.5cm
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. It is not known when or how Dr Sharratt acquired this figure but during his fifty years of collecting, he tended to acquire from within the UK only from dealers, collectors and auction houses.
Enquiry about object: 3895
Ashanti Carved Wooden Fertility Doll (Akuaba)
Ashanti/Asante People, Ghana 19th century
height: 27.3cm, width: 11.5cm
Provenance
UK art market; the base with an old label for 'Ratton, Paris'.
Enquiry about object: 3108
Yoruba Shango Oshe Dance Wand
Yoruba People, Egbado Tribe, Igan Okoto, Nigeria circa 1900
length: approximately 25cm, width: approximately 6cm
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: 3507
Cast Copper Bwa Do Cult Anklet
Bwa people, Burkino Faso 19th century
length: 20cm. width: 9.7cm, height with stand: 8cm
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 3119
Pair of Yoruba Ceremonial Ogboni Staffs
Yoruba People, Ogboni Society, Nigeria early to mid-20th century
height: approximately (female) 44cm, (male) 45cm
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 3894
Nigerian Carved & Painted Wooden Figurative Comb
Nigeria late 19th-early 20th century
length: 23cm, width: 8cm
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 2938
Local Ashanti King’s Asipim Chair
Ashanti (Asante) People, Ghana late 19th century
height: 72cm, depth: 44cm, width: 40cm
Provenance
private collection, UK
Enquiry about object: 4121
Carved Wooden Axe Handle or Sceptre Shaped as an Antelope
Tsonga or Zulu, South Africa or Zambia/Zaire 19th century
length: 52.5cm
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 2863
Fine Yoruba Male Ibeji Figure (Ere Ibeji)
Oyo-Yoruba People, Oyo Region, Nigeria late 19th century
height: 32cm, diameter of the base: approximately 8cm
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 2218
Rare Yoruba Carved Wooden Processional Staff
Yoruba People, Nigeria 19th-20th century
length/height: 108cm
Provenance
private collection, London; and previously, a private European collection.
Enquiry about object: 2219
Yoruba Carved Wooden Divination Bowl
Yoruba People, Nigeria 18th-19th century or earlier
height: 14.2cm, diameter: 19cm
Provenance
private collection, UK.
Enquiry about object: 3733
Ovimbundu Female Head Privilege Sceptre
Ovimbundu People, Angola circa 1930
length: 56cm
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 2032
Yoruba Carved Wooden Maternity Figure & Bowl, possibly by the carver Agbonbiofe
Yoruba People, Nigeria circa 1920
height: 45cm, depth: 27cm
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: 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: 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: 4313
Eshu Dance Wrist Pendant
Yoruba People, Southern Egbado, Nigeria 19th century
height: 10.2cm
Provenance
private collection, London.
Enquiry about object: 4314
Eshu Dance Wrist Pendant
Yoruba People, Southern Egbado, Nigeria 19th century
height: 8cm
Provenance
private collection, London.
Enquiry about object: 3498
Nigerian Yoruba Ibeji Twin Figure (Ere Ibeji)
Yagba Tribe, Egbe Region, Nigeria late 19th century
height: 25.5cm
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 3497
Superb Pair of Ibeji Figures (Ere Ibeji)
Yoruba People, Oyo Tribe, Shaki Region, Nigeria late 19th century
heights: 24.4cm
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: 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: 3416
Fine Zulu (or similar) Knobkerrie Dance Club
Zulu People or similar, Southern Africa 19th century
length: 43.5cm
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 2421
Yoruba Maternity Figural Offering Bowl
Yoruba People, Nigeria before 1938-39
height: 64cm
Provenance
Collected by the artist Donald Friend in Nigeria, 1938
Enquiry about object: 1019
Zulu Knobkierrie Club
Zulu People, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa 19th century
length: 63cm
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 1108
Carved Tsonga Bowl attributed to Muhlati
Tsonga, Mozambique late 19th century
height: 38cm, width: 18cm
Provenance
UK art market.
Enquiry about object: 1897
Kuba Carved Wooden ‘Basket’ Camwood Powder Bowl & Cover
Kuba People, Congo 19th century
height: 5.5cm, diameter: 17cm
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 1898
Carved Wooden Camwood Powder Box
Kuba People, Congo 19th century
length: 23.8cm, height: 6.6cm, width: 9.4cm
Provenance
Obtained by the previous owner at Sotheby's London, 'Tribal Art', December 3, 1984.
Enquiry about object: 846
Bamana Wooden Door Lock (Konbalabala)
Bamana people, Mali circa 1920
height: 45.5cm, width: 37cm
Provenance
From a private UK collection. Acquired from Christie’s, 'Tribal Art', June 24, 1996, London, lot 67.
Enquiry about object: 944
Yoruba Gelede Dance Headdress
Yoruba People, Nigeria circa 1940
height: 34cm, length: 22cm, width: 27cm
Provenance
UK art market, formerly in an Oxford collection.
Enquiry about object: 1915
Yoruba Wooden Divination Board (Opon Ifa)
Yoruba People, Nigeria 19th century
dimensions: 27cm x 23cm x 2cm
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 1481
Brass Bird-shaped Pipe
Cameroon early 20th century
length: 48cm
Enquiry about object: 2204
Yoruba Ibeji Figure (Ere Ibeji)
Yoruba People, Oyo Sub-group, Erin Region, Nigeria circa 1920
height: 29cm
Provenance
UK art market.
Enquiry about object: 3000
Congo Chief’s Axe-Knife
Nsapo & Wongo Peoples, Congo 19th-early 20th century
length: 39cm, width: 22.5cm
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 3001
Baule Bronze Currency Anklet
Baule People, Ivory Coast 19th century-early 20th century
height: 26cm (without stand); 37cm (with stand); width: 25cm, depth: 14.4cm
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 3109
Pair of Yoruba Eshu Dance Wands
Yoruba People, Egba/Egbado Tribe, Abeokuta, Nigeria circa 1920
height: (female) approximately 36cm, (male) 34cm; width: (both) approximately 7cm
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: 3994
Nigerian Carved Wooden Maternity Figure, Lidded Bowl, possibly by the carver Agbonbiofe
Yoruba People, Nigeria early 20th century
height: 48.5cm, depth: 22.5cm, width: 33.5cm
Provenance
UK art market, private collection, Germany
Enquiry about object: 4033
Ashanti Cast Brass Gold Weight
Ashanti or Asante People, Ghana 18th-19th century
height: 7.3cm, width: 8cm, depth: 6cm, weight: 284g
Provenance
UK art market
Enquiry about object: 3664
Pair of Engraved Silver Bracelets
Nubian People, North-East Africa 19th-early 20th century
external diameter: 8.6cm, internal diameter: 6.2cm, thickness: 1.2cm, combined weight: 119g
Provenance
private collection, London.
Enquiry about object: 4274
Woman’s Iron Pubic Cover (Cache Sexe)
Kirdi and Matakam People, North Cameroon 19th-early 20th century
length: 37.5cm
Provenance
private collection, UK
Enquiry about object: 5561
Circular Yoruba Divination Board (Opon Ifa)
Yoruba People, Nigeria 19th century
width: 35.5cm; length: 34cm and thickness: 2cm
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: 5560
Rectangular Yoruba Divination Board (Opon Ifa)
Yoruba People, Nigeria 19th-early 20th century
width: 40cm; length: 27cm and thickness: 2cm
Provenance
UK art market