African Arts Gallery

French collection of tribal art.
A particularity in African art, the Kronkronbali Komaland heads, meaning "children of yesteryear", often have globular features, here indistinct, made up of earthen bulges. The top is slightly concave.
The Koma (or Koma-Bulsa) are established in a region called Komaland near the border of Burkina Faso, in northern Ghana. The heads seem to have been shaped as such, devoid of bodies, reminiscent of Akan or Anyi statuary. They have the appearance of a sort of stopper, driven into the earth in a circular fashion around tumuli, tombs themselves circular and covered with stones.

The first were discovered in the 1970s-80s by German anthropologists who dated them between the 13th and 19th centuries.
Plinth included.

French collection of African art A prestigious emblem intended for chiefs, this adze represents a warrior's helmet from which the blade emerges. Abrasions of use, black oiled patina.
Upper Volta, Burkina Faso since independence, is composed of the descendants of the invaders, horsemen who came from Ghana in the 15th century, named Nakomse, and the Tengabibisi, descendants of the natives. Political power is in the hands of the Nakomse, who assert their power through statues, while the priests and religious leaders come from the Tengabisi, who use masks during their ceremonies. Animists, the Mossi worship a creator god named Wende. Each individual is said to have a soul, sigha, linked to a totemic animal.

Large spoon with twisted handle topped with a sculpted head. Grainy black patina. Desiccation cracks. Height on base: 50 cm. Established near the Niger estuary, speaking a Kwa language, the Igala formed a powerful kingdom until colonization. Human sacrifices once accompanied these ritual festivals, giving this people the reputation of headhunters. The Igala have large helmet masks called agba during ceremonies honoring their king or at commemorative funerals of dignitaries. Other types of helmet masks come out during the festivals of the egu cult celebrating the spirit of the dead and for the yam festivals.
Ref.: "L'Art tribal d'Afrique noire" ed. Assouline and "Arts du Nigeria" ed. Musée Barbier-Mueller.

Belgian collection of African art .
The female effigy adorning this chief's badge seems to refer to the ancestor of the clan. The Yombe decorated their textiles, mats and loincloths, with diamond-shaped patterns, such as those engraved on the subject's bust, in relation to proverbs glorifying work and social unity. The phemba statuette, pfemba, often adorned prestigious walking sticks, mwala .
Light brown matte patina, abrasions.
Belonging to the Kongo group, the Yombe are established on the west coast of Africa, in the southwest of the Republic of Congo and in Angola. Their statuary includes remarkable maternities. Source: "the Kongo gesture" Ed. Dapper Museum and "Treasures of Africa" ​​Tervuren Museum.

This stick carved with a pattern like the masks of the group is part of the chief's figurative insignia. Glossy black brown patina. 36 cm on base.
The Western Pende live on the banks of the Kwilu, while the Eastern settled on the banks of the Kasaï downstream from Tshikapa. The influences of neighboring ethnic groups, Mbla, Suku, Wongo, Leele, Kuba and Salempasu imprinted on their large tribal art sculpture. Within this diversity, the Mbuya masks, realistic, produced every ten years, take on a festive function, and embody different characters, including the chief, the diviner and his wife, the prostitute, the possessed, etc... The masks of initiation and those of power, the minganji, represent the ancestors and occur successively during the same ceremonies, agricultural festivals, ...

Staff topped with a figure sculpted in the image of Songye fetishes. These protective fetishes intended for homes come in various styles in the many chiefdoms of the Songye country. The Nkisi plays the role of mediator between gods and men. Large examples are the collective property of an entire village, the latter are for private use. In the 16th century, the Songye migrated from the Shaba region to settle on the left bank of the Lualaba. Their society is organized in a patriarchal manner. Their history is inseparable from that of the Luba to whom they are related through common ancestors. Very present in their society, divination made it possible to discover sorcerers and to shed light on what was affecting individuals.

Ex. Belgian collection of African art.
African mask of initiation of the Lega or even the Leka, whose society, the Bukota, welcoming both men and women, is the equivalent of the Bwami association of the Lega. Their masks are quite similar, but are distinguished by their mouth and sometimes also their square or rectangular eyes.br>
Black glossy patina encrusted with white clay.
Height on base: 33 cm.
The sculptures of the Leka, subject to the influence of the neighboring Mbole, Lega and Binja, played a role during initiation, funeral or circumcision ceremonies, and were then placed on the tomb of high-ranking initiates. Each of these figures had a name and a meaning with an educational purpose, like the Lega traditions.

Devoid of its mystical "Bonga" charge, the cavity of this teke-type sculpted figure makes the bust protrude in powerful volume, seeming to bend thick legs. Under the headdress, the face with its clear, bulging gaze offers cubist features. Smooth dark mahogany patina. Lacks, drying crack.
Established between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon, the Téké were organized into chiefdoms whose leader was often chosen from among the blacksmiths. The head of the family, mfumu, had the right of life or death over his family, the importance of which determined his prestige. The chief of the clan, Ngantsié, kept the great protective fetish Tar Mantsié which supervised all the ceremonies. It is the powerful sorcerer, healer and soothsayer who "charged" the individual statuettes with ...

French collection of African art
This African mask with cubist volumes is engraved with parallel stripes coated with white pigment. The bridge of the nose, flat and colored black, continues towards the skull. The half-closed eyelid slits are also extended in black towards the temples. A parallelepiped mouth juts out, forming a whisper calling for the silence of the initiated. A black band forms the chin, holes have been made around the edge to attach the raffia collar. There are some missing parts, at the back of the object and on one of the upper eyelids. Matte, dry and velvety patina. Object sold with its base. Three types of African Kifwebe art mask are listed: the masculine (kilume) generally with a high crest, the feminine (kikashi) would have a more modest crest or even ...

African mask Lega indicating the stage that its holder had reached within the Bwami, a learning society composed of different grades, and which was joined by wives whose husbands had reached the third level, that of ngandu.
Within the Lega, the Bwami society, open to men and women, organized social and political life. There were up to seven levels of initiation, each associated with emblems. Following Social recognition and authority also had to be earned individually: the chief owed his selection to his heart (mutima), good character, intelligence, and impeccable behavior. During ritual ceremonies, the Idumu masks, collectively owned, were presented to the initiates placed on a barrier and surrounded by individual masks of ...

African zoomorphic masks.
Polychrome animal mask of the kifwebe depicting a sacrificial animal, the rooster. Erosions.
In the south-eastern region of Katanga, from the 1960s, the Zela, long subject to the Lubas whose customs and rites they borrowed, carved animal masks , like the Lubas and the Kundas. In 1970, in fact, the kifwebe company underwent a transformation which was accompanied by new masks. In the Zela and Kundas groups, however, this type of mask was manifested during secular theatrical ceremonies involving tales. Established between the Luvua River and Lake Kisalé, they are today organized into four chiefdoms under the supervision of leaders of Luba origin. They venerate a primordial couple frequently represented in statuary, mythical ancestors, and make ...

br> Usual objects in African art.
A functional accessory for ritual ceremonies, this sculpted spoon offers a deep cone-shaped spoon surmounted by a curved handle with a flat end. Very fine streaks adorn the surface.
Scattered throughout the Saharan region of Libya, Mali, Algeria and Niger, the Tuareg (sing: Targui), or "Veiled Men", would come from Berber pastors fleeing the Arabs in Libya in the 7th century. The targui blacksmith also sculpts wood, which is a rare material, carved objects which are often repaired to prolong their use are part of the dowry.
Ref. : "Black Africa, 1" J. Anquetil.

African mask of initiation to the Bwami, supposed to indicate the acquisition of a certain wisdom and individual morality. The flat surface, whose main element resides in a raffia beard springing from the mouth, bears minimalist features composed of linear reliefs. Height on base: 43 cm. Small chips, abrasions.
Within the Léga established on the west bank of the Lualaba River, in the DRC, the Bwami society open to men and women, organized social and political life. There were up to seven levels of initiation, each associated with emblems. The role of chief, kindi, is held by the oldest man of the clan, who must be the highest ranking. As in other forest tribes, the men hunt and clear land while the women cultivate cassava. Social recognition and authority also had to be earned ...

Belgian collection of African art. Handled during rituals, or worn as an amulet, this ancient African Lega mask accompanied by feline fur indicated the stage that its holder had reached within the Bwami, a learning society composed of different grades. Height on base: 24 cm. Within the Lega, the Bwami society open to men and women, organized social and political life. There were up to seven levels of initiation, each associated with emblems. Following Social recognition and authority also had to be earned individually: the chief owed his selection to his heart (mutima), a good character, his intelligence, and irreproachable behavior. During ritual ceremonies, the Idumu masks, collectively owned, were presented to the initiates placed on a barrier and surrounded by individual masks of a ...

Considered a "bankishi", this African sculpture is said to be endowed, in the Luba culture, with powerful magical and apotropaic powers. These objects come in different forms, such as this female figure surmounting a set of small calabashes. The posture, hands positioned near the breasts, recalls that the secrets of royalty belong to women thanks to their role as political and spiritual intermediaries. This object was used in the context of the Bugabo association, linked to hunting, healing and combat. It was customary, during rituals, to fill the calabash with magical ingredients in order to strengthen its power. The ingredients used produced a sound when the object was shaken, and were only sealed at the end of the ceremony.
(Luba, Roberts)

Singular object of oblong shape intended for pouring opium water, the tip pierced throughout its length forming a neck. It is a social accessory used during ceremonies welcoming guests of the same caste, in Pakistan and northern India. Beautiful glossy patina of use. For more information: "Drinking opium, a ritual of hospitality in northern India" Sandrine Prévot.

African mask associated with dry season dance ceremonies in Tanzania. Linear scarifications divide the face of which the amplitude of the jaw forms a particularity. Thin sticks represent the teeth in the hollowed-out mouth in a rectangle. Remains of a headdress at the top. Velvety gray patina, erosions. Satin patina.
In the southern coastal region of Tanzania, around Dar-es-Salaam, a relatively homogeneous group produced most of the artistic productions. It includes the Swahili, Kaguru, Doé, Kwéré, Luguru, Zaramo, Kami. The second region is made up of a territory covering southern Tanzania to Mozambique, where some Makonde and the Yao, the Ngindo, Mwéra, and Makua live. In the North-East of Tanzania, the Chaga, Paré, Chamba, Zigua, Massaï, Iraqw, Gogo, and Héhé have an artistic ...

Percussion musical instrument of the 'a target'_blank' 'new'nofollow' href'https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Mangbetu_ (people)'' Mangbetu, , this half-moon-shaped wooden idiophone has been fitted with a long slot that acts as a resonant opening. It is endowed with an anthropomorphic handle that includes the features of the ancestor figures nebeli .
The Mangebetu Kingdom in northern Congo produced architectural works that impressed European visitors in the 19th century. Their furniture, weapons, adornments and statuary were imbued with a rare aesthetic quality. The ethnologist G.A. Schweinfurth in 1870 described its symmetry and refinement, while at the same time testifying to the ritual killings and human sacrifices practiced by the people of elongated heads. The slot drum is not ...

French collection of African art A Togolese version of the Ibejdi of the Yoruba, these ancient statuettes of twins have a glossy two-tone patina.

The Ewe, often confused with the Minas, are the largest ethnic group in Togo. They are also found as minorities in Ghana, Benin, Ivory Coast and Nigeria. The Ewe consider the birth of twins called Venavi (or Venovi) to be a happy omen. They must be treated identically and fairly. For example, both will be fed and washed at the same time and will wear the same clothes, until puberty.
If one of the twins dies, the parents obtain a statuette to replace the deceased child.

Source: "Isn't she a doll?" E.L Cameron

Private collection of African tribal art The sculpted subject could represent the diviner accompanying the ritual songs with the drum. Satin brown patina, encrusted residues of white clay and red ochre. Cracks and erosions.

Hierarchical and authoritarian, composed of fearsome warriors, the Yaka society was governed by lineage chiefs with the right of life and death over their subjects. Hunting and the prestige that comes from it are an opportunity today for the Yaka to invoke the ancestors and to resort to rituals using charms linked to the "khosi" institution. The initiation society for young people is the n-khanda, which is found among the eastern Kongo (Chokwe, Luba, etc.), and which uses various charms and masks in order to ensure a vigorous lineage.

Belgian collection of African art
These talismans, collectible objects worn as pendants, were used during collective hunts to signal to the team or the dogs and to guide the prey towards a specific target. The whistle emitted could be modulated thanks to a lateral appendage. Specialized hunters used a variety of ritual objects to ensure the success of their expeditions.
The Western Pende settled on the banks of the Kwilu, while their eastern counterparts founded their communities along the Kasai, downstream from Tshikapa. Their vast sculptural production, rich in tribal art, was strongly influenced by neighboring peoples such as the Mbla, Suku, Wongo, Leele, Kuba and Salempasu. Among this diversity, the Mbuya masks, made with striking realism every ten years, have a mainly ...