African Arts Gallery

The body belted with cords, textile, decorated with beads and inlaid with cowries, this statuette of fertility or simply doll comes from the interior region of Tanzania. Satin patina, missing foot. In the southern coastal region of Tanzania, around Dar-es-Salam, a relatively homogeneous group produced most of the artistic output. It includes the Swahili, Kaguru, Doé, Kwéré, Luguru, Zaramo, Kami. The second region is formed by a territory covering the south of Tanzania to Mozambique, where some Makonde and Yao, Ngindo, Mwéra, and Makua live. In northeastern Tanzania, the Chaga, Paré, Chamba, Zigua, Maasai, Iraqw, Gogo, and Héhé have an artistic production with similarities to Malagasy and Batak art, which could be explained by trade by sea. The Luo, Kuria, Haya and Ziba, the ...

Ex- african art collection form Luxemburg.
This human figure of long morphology offers a proportionally reduced head, in which hollowed-out eyes were generally encrusted with white beads. The size of the ears contrasts with a discreet appearance where the jaw forms a slight bulge. This type of statues, among the wide variety of tribal production of this region, participated in the worship of ancestors, and some played a role in traditional Seeker activities. Smooth and sainy patina revealing the veining of the wood, range of hot browns. Lacks, cracks.
The nyamwézi are made up of tribes of various origins that make up the most guarded group in central Tanzania, yet share the same cultural traits. They were involved in the 19th century in the caravan trade that crossed their ...

Statuette offering an inclined female bust, which the arms enclose, and disproportionate legs. The amplitude of the ears stands out alongside the blind face. This type of statue, among the wide variety of tribal production in this region, participated in the worship of ancestors, and some played a role in traditional dowsing activities. Black greasy patina, grainy residue. Abrasions, tiny lacks. br> The Nyamwézi are made up of tribes of diverse origins making up the largest group in central Tanzania, yet sharing the same cultural traits. They were involved in the 19th century in the caravan trade that crossed their Unyamwézi territory. They were therefore led to travel from the Congo (R.D.C.) to the coastal cities of the Indian Ocean, where they were called "Nyamwézi", "men of the ...

Figurative anthropomorphic sculpture, carved in very dense wood. Represented in a posture linked to the dance, the character offers a severe physiognomy, which a hairstyle meticulously made of glass beads softens.
Brown satin patina, cracks.
The Nyamwezi, Nyamézi, form the largest group among the tribes living in north central Tanzania. Coming from diverse origins, although sharing the same cultural specificities, their ritual and artistic production consequently presents very different formal aspects. The cult of ancestors and chiefs, of major importance within their culture, marked their statuary.
The Sukuma and the Nyamézi produced statues represented in a static position, some of which, with filiform limbs, evoke the artistic creations of Alberto Giacometti. They ...

A prestigious emblem, this traditional African sculpture adopts a feminine silhouette with curved shapes. It acts as a handle extending the bowl which symbolizes the head. Chip on the edge of the bowl.
Nuanced, lustrous brown patina.
The Luo, Kuria, Haya and Ziba, the Kéréwé, Karagwé, Sukuma and Nyamézi are established in the center west and the central region of Tanzania. The Nyamwézi are made up of tribes of diverse origins making up the largest group in central Tanzania, yet sharing the same cultural traits. They were involved in the 19th century in the caravan trade that crossed their Unyamwézi territory. They were therefore led to travel from the Congo (R.D.C.) to the coastal cities of the Indian Ocean, where they were called "Nyamwézi", "men of the moon" or "men of ...

Attesting to the social origin of its owner, the African chair is a personal piece of furniture designed to enhance its prestige. It is therefore often decorated in its middle part with anthropomorphic or zoomorphic figures in relation to the founding myths and beliefs of the ethnic group. A monoxyle sculpture whose anthropomorphic foot resting on a cylindrical base depicts a young woman, mythical ancestor, with arms bent parallel to the bust, pupils encrusted with hollowed beads, the upper lip as if distended by a labret. She wears a finely engraved copper torque. The seat is highlighted on its outline by a double frieze of diamonds carved into the wood and its surface encrusted with brass shards forming harmonious decorative motifs. In the southern region of Tanzania's coastline, around ...

A true object of curiosity testifying to Nyamwezi creativity, this doll is made up of interlocking calabashes and is distinguished by a variety of accessories, metal rings, beaded necklaces, cowries, and fabric mats embroidered with shells. The features are also enhanced with beaded inlays. A ring is used to balance the statue. The Luo, Kuria, Haya and Ziba, the Kerewe, Karagwe, Sukuma and Nyamezi are established in the west central and central region of Tanzania. The Nyamwezi , Nyamézi ,("people of the west" and sometimes "people of the moon") form the largest group among the tribes living in north central Tanzania. Coming from diverse origins, although sharing similar cultural specificities, their ritual and artistic production consequently presents very different formal aspects. ...

This female figure sculpted in a very dense wood and with a thin silhouette offers a head in which hollowed eyes were usually encrusted with white beads. The size of the ears contrasts with a discreet appearance. This type of statues, among the wide variety of tribal production of this region, participated in the worship of ancestors, and some played a role in traditional Seeker activities. Dark matte, oiled skate. Lacks at the ends of the breast and feet, cracks.
The Nyamwezi are made up of tribes of various origins that make up the largest group in central Tanzania, but share the same cultural traits. They were involved in the 19th century in the caravan trade that crossed their territory Unyamwézi . They were therefore brought to travel from Congo (R.D.C.) coastal towns in ...