African Arts Gallery

Collection Anquetil, author of the book "Les Mains du Monde" published by Solar and "l'Afrique Noire" published by ed. Drawing and Tolra. , theater man who became master weaver initiated among the Dogon, president of the French Métiers d'Art. Togolese version of the Ibejdi of the Yorubas, these figurines of twins have a velvety yellow ocher patina.

The Ewe, often confused with the Minas, are Togo's largest ethnic group. They are also found as minorities in Ghana, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria. The Ewe regard the birth of twins called Venavi (or Venovi) as a happy omen. The latter must be treated identically and ...

Ibeji statuette, incarnation of the missing child in African Yoruba art.
Large almond-shaped eyes, braids gathered into a crest, generally illustrate the aesthetic traditions of African Yoruba art. This female effigy of the Yoruba type is decorated with necklaces of glass beads. These adornments had a protective function. Dark satin patina.
In the language of the Yoruba people, ibeji means twin: ibi for born and eji for two. They represent the figure of a deceased twin. These African statuettes named ibeji are then treated as the missing child would have been. It is the mother who must take care of it; she can wash and feed them regularly. When she disappears, the remaining twin takes over. There are dozens of different stylistic trends for these famous pieces. A careful ...

French collection of tribal art .
Witnesses to the traditions of the Hopi Indian peoples of Arizona, the Katsinam sculpted objects (sing. Kachina ) are expressed during traditional dances accompanying the annual festivals in favor of rain. For the Pueblo Native American group (Hopi, Zuni, Tewa Village, Acoma Pueblo and Laguna Pueblo), the traditional Katsinam dolls are educational tools offered to children at the end of ritual festivals. These Hopi-inspired statuettes, embodying a great diversity of spirits, represent the Katsinam dancers and the colors are associated with the cardinal points. Matte and velvety polychrome patina, minor abrasions.

Ex-Belgian collection of African art In accordance with the aesthetic conventions specific to African sculpture Yoruba, this statuette offers large globular eyes, and a braided hairstyle mounted in a bun. Its protective adornments are the ajebu.
Satin patina, colored highlights.
In the language of the Yoruba people, ibeji means twin: ibi for born and eji for two. They represent the figure of a deceased twin. This ibedji is then treated as the missing child would have been. It is the mother who must take care of him; she can wash and feed him regularly. If she disappears, it is the remaining twin who takes over.
It also happened that a man would have ibeji carved for his wife in order to induce pregnancy, the object becoming a support for fertility. Supporting the soul of ...

Having abandoned his "abiku", abundant ornaments with an apotropaic function generally consisting of beaded belts and necklaces, this male figure of twin "ere" (statues) stands on ample feet, his large pierced pupils staring at us intensely.
Satin mahogany patina. Grainy residue, cracks.
The occurrence of twinning among the Yoruba is more common than anywhere else in Black Africa. In the language of the Yoruba people, ibeji means twin: ibi for born and eji for two< /i>. They represent the figure of a deceased twin. This ibedji is then treated as the missing child would have been. It is the mother who must take care of him; she can wash and feed him regularly. If she dies, the remaining twin takes over. It also happened that a man had ibeji carved for his wife in order to ...

French collection of African art This African doll associated with fertility symbolizes the marriage vows and the child that will be born of this union. It is the fiancé who makes it and decorates it with multiple trinkets, beads, textiles, shells, leather and talismans, before offering it to the young woman. The Kirdi, or "pagans", as the Islamized peoples have named them, are established in the far north of Cameroon, on the border with Nigeria. They include the Matakam, Kapsiki, Margui, Mofou, Massa, Toupouri, Fali, Namchi, Bata, Do ayo... They live from agriculture, fishing and livestock breeding.
Among the Fali, ancestor worship is illustrated by the great importance given to the skulls of the deceased, because thought and knowledge resided there.

African Art from Cameroon.
This African doll of fertility Ham pilu symbolizes the marriage vows and the child that will be born from this union. It is the fiancé who makes it and decorates it with multiple trinkets before offering it to the young woman, pearls, leather talismans, etc... The Kirdi , or "pagans", as the Islamized peoples have called them, are established in the far north of Cameroon, on the border with Nigeria.
They include the Matakam, Kapsiki, Margui, Mofou, Massa, Toupouri, Fali, Namchi, Bata, Do ayo... They live from agriculture, fishing and animal husbandry.
Among the Fali, ancestor worship is illustrated by the great importance given to the skulls of the deceased, because thought and knowledge resided there.
The use of dolls by young African ...

Contemporary artists from South Africa create dolls filled with a multitude of glass beads. Touching and decorative, these works also alternate various metal elements and shells, highlighting the skill and creative sense of their designers.
Some cowries and pearls are missing.
During the 19th century, tribes united to form the group called Zulu, whose local chiefs, led by the king, are called iduma. Their society is that of warriors organized into age groups. It was in 1884 that they were annexed by the English. Skilled in making ornaments, the Zulus work with leather, metal and ceramics, adding feathers and beads. Pearls, while having a protective role, indicate the social situation of those who wear them.

Fertility statuette of very schematic design, the appearance of the head of which varies according to the region. It evokes a spirit with which a relationship is established. The tubular bust, slightly bulging at the level of the abdomen, has a flat chest. The angular, stylized head evokes the female crest hairstyle, the parallel incisions, the scarifications and the braids of the ethnic group. Beautiful heterogeneous brown patina, lustrous, locally abraded. Minimal cracking.
The use of dolls by young African women is not exclusively within the initiatory context. When menstruation begins, the girl is considered a potential mother. In many ethnic groups, the search for fertility is then done by means of initiation rites. Wooden figures will then be carved, some reflecting both ...

French collection of tribal art
African doll of fertility embodying the aspirations for marriage and the birth of the child. It is the fiancé who takes the initiative to make it and embellish it with various ornaments before presenting it to his future wife. This example is distinguished by its hairstyle and long braids. The Kirdi, also called "pagans" by Islamized peoples, live in the far north of Cameroon, on the border with Nigeria. This community includes the Matakam, Kapsiki, Margui, Mofou, Massa, Toupouri, Fali, Namchi, Bata, Do ayo, and others, who live mainly from agriculture, fishing and livestock breeding.

French collection of African art
"Mani" is a diminutive meaning "little person" qualifying the African puppets with human faces used by the Bambara and Markha during didactic shows. This tradition of puppet theater is common to the multi-ethnic peoples living in the inner Niger Delta, including the Bozo, particularly in the Ségou region where it is called "sogobo".
Articulated arms, missing fingers on one hand. Desiccation crack.
In Mali, the invention of the puppet is attributed to the bush spirits who kidnapped Toboji Centa, a Bozo fisherman. The Markha, also called Warka, live in the north of the Bambara territory and have, consequently, been influenced by them, particularly in the design of their masks. In addition to the similarities between Markha and Bambara art, ...

African Art from Cameroon.
This African fertility doll symbolizes the marriage vows and the child that will be born from this union. It is the fiancé who makes it and decorates it with multiple trinkets before offering it to the young woman. A calabash pierced with holes, surmounted by a head, is wrapped in fragments of textile and draped with multiple necklaces of pearls, associated with metal objects. The Kirdi , or "pagans", as the Islamized peoples have called them, are established in the far north of Cameroon, on the border with Nigeria.
They include the Matakam, Kapsiki, Margui, Mofou, Massa, Toupouri, Fali, Namchi, Bata, Do ayo... They live from agriculture, fishing and animal husbandry.
Among the Fali, ancestor worship is illustrated by the great importance ...

Ex-British collection of African art African statuette decorated with necklaces of colored beads constituting the protective abiku adornments.
Sculpted according to the instructions of Ifa transmitted to the diviner, the babalawo, the Ibedji statuettes played the role of substitute for the death of the child. The statuettes are then treated as the missing child would have been. It is the mother who must take care of it; she anoints them with oil and feeds them regularly. If it disappears, the remaining twin takes over. Considered to be much more than a physical representation of a loved one. The Ibedji statues influence the life of the family, which is why the latter continues to pray to them and offer them worship and libations.
Mahogany satin patina, drying cracks..

Ex-Belgian collection of African art traditional dolls in African tribal art of the Tabwa. Used by the female initiation society, this statuette has feminine attributes and a protruding navel, scarifications comparable to those of members of the tribe. Golden brown patina.
The Tabwa ("scarify" and "write") constitute an ethnic group present in the South-East of the DRC. Simple farmers without centralized power, they united around tribal chiefs after having been influenced by the Luba. It was mainly during this period that their artistic movement was expressed mainly through statues but also masks. The Tabwa practiced ancestor worship and dedicated some of their statues to them called mkisi. Animists, their beliefs are anchored around ngulu, spirits of nature present in plants ...

Ex-French collection of African tribal art Schematized fertility doll, whose head appearance varies depending on the region. The angular head evokes the female crest hairstyle, the parallel incisions, the scarifications and the braids of the ethnic group.
Beautiful lustrous patina.
Among many ethnic groups, the search for fertility is done through initiation rites. Wooden figures will be carved, some reflecting both genders, in many cases covered with beads and clothing. During the period of seclusion, the doll, which becomes a child who requires daily feeding, washing and anointing, becomes the girl's only companion. After the initiation, they will be carried on the women's backs, or attached to their necks. Wooden dolls (biiga), carved in their free time by blacksmiths in ...

French collection of African art .
Small sculpted figure with feminine attributes and a protruding navel, it bears multiple scarifications. Glossy brown patina, erosions from use.
The Tabwa ("scarify" and "write") are an ethnic group present in the South-East of the DRC. Simple farmers without centralized power, they united around tribal chiefs after being influenced by the Luba. The tribes of this region, such as the Tumbwe , worship the mipasi ancestors through sculptures held by the chiefs or sorcerers. The Tabwa practiced ancestor worship and dedicated some of their statues called mkisi to them. Animists, their beliefs are anchored around the ngulu, nature spirits present in plants and rocks.

This schematic sculpture, whose appearance of the head varies depending on the region, represents a spirit with whom a relationship is established. The element falling in front of the face evokes the braid worn by little girls, the incisions and scarifications of the ethnic group. Glossy dark patina.
Among many ethnic groups, the search for fertility is done through initiation rites. Wooden figures will be carved, some reflecting both genders, in many cases covered with beads and clothing. During the period of seclusion, the doll, which becomes a child who requires to be fed, washed and anointed daily, becomes the girl's only companion. After the initiation, they will be carried on the women's backs, or attached to their necks. Wooden dolls (biiga), carved in their free time by ...

French collection of tribal art , the identity of the collector will be communicated to the purchaser.
Colorful witnesses of the traditions of the Hopi Indian peoples of Arizona, the Katsinam sculpted objects (sing. Kachina ) are expressed during traditional dances accompanying the annual festivals in favor of rain. Traditional Katsinam dolls are, for the Pueblo Native American group (Hopi, Zuni, Tewa Village, Acoma Pueblo and Laguna Pueblo), educational tools offered to children at the end of ritual festivals. These Hopi-inspired statuettes, embodying a great diversity of spirits, represent the Katsinam dancers and the colors are associated with the cardinal points. Matte and velvety polychrome patina, abrasions.

Ibeji statuettes, incarnation of the missing child in African Yoruba art.
Stripped of its ritual accessories, this naked male figure, supported by rectangular feet, rises in a rectilinear posture. Orange-brown semi-satin patina, residual encrustations, cracks. In the language of the Yoruba people, ibeji means twin: ibi for born and eji for two. They represent the figure of a deceased twin. These African statuettes named ibeji are then treated as the missing child would have been. It is the mother who must take care of them; she can wash and feed them regularly. If she dies, the remaining twin takes over. Considered as much more than a physical representation of a loved one, the ibedji influences the life of the family, which is why the latter continues to address prayers to it ...

Traditionally adorned with pearls and cowries, this African doll from Namji or Dowayo , an animist mountain people living north of Cameroon, forms a refined version of an African doll.
These African tribal dolls are carved in wood by the blacksmith, initially for the game of little girls. But these dolls are mostly used by infertile women in complex fertility rituals, the doll becoming a surrogate child they will treat as such. In some cases the fiancé offered it to his future wife, the doll representing their future offspring. The decoration of the doll can also reproduce the finery of the new initiates following their period of confinement.

Belgian collection of African art.
Reduced figure of the niombo, sometimes giant anthropomorphic funerary "package", representing the deceased, buried during funerals during ancestor cults. The doll is made of a basketwork frame covered in textile. It was kept in the chiefs' house.
The Vili, the Lâri, the Sûndi, the Woyo, the Bembé, the Bwende, the Yombé and the Kôngo constituted the Kôngo group, led by King Ntotela. Their kingdom reached its peak in the 16th century with the trade in ivory, copper and the slave trade. With the same beliefs and traditions, they produced statuary with codified gestures in relation to their vision of the world. The Bwendé sculptures were strongly inspired by those of the neighboring Beembé.