African Arts Gallery

The hornbill in African art The mythical hornbill, which is one of the five animals of the Senufo cosmogony, tops this braided headdress. Evoked for morphological and behavioral criteria, it decorates, in its miniature version, many objects of African art Senoufo. Its long beak is often "interpreted as the representation of the male sexual organ" perpetuating the life of the community. Height on base: 47 cm.

The senoufo villages are composed of clusters of dwellings named katiolo . Each of them has its own Poro association which initiates young boys from the age of seven in a succession of three cycles lasting seven years . They gather in a sacred enclosure called sinzanga located near the village, among the trees. At the time of the death of one of the members of the ...

The zoomorphic African masks of the Senufo are worn by members of the Poro Society, an institution that controls political and economic life. Their function is to honor the elders or to appear at funerals. Anthropomorphic masks would mainly drive the spirit of the deceased out of his place of residence. At the top of this Kpélié mask meaning "masque that jumps " are three zoomorphic forms associated with the cameleon. Similar figures, in miniature, form the fins that appear on each side of the twin faces that can symbolize, according to the Senoufo, the primordial couple at the origin of the creation by emphasizing the complementarity between men and women. A decorative border consisting of double coloured pearl necklaces and raffia braiding attaches the canvas to the contours of the ...

The African masks of the Sénufo are worn by male members of the Poro society, an institution that controls political and economic life. Preserved in the sacred enclosure named sezang fine to remove them from the eyes of the uninitiated, their function is to honor the elders or appear at funerals. Anthropomorphic masks would mainly drive the spirit of the deceased from his place of residence. Zoomorphic elements and human figures combine here in a narrow mask whose contours are lined with rows of pearls and lined with a textile hood. " Kpélié It is also worn during initiations symbolically marking a death followed by a rebirth. The mask is carved in dense wood, one of the lower fins is broken. Beautiful patina of use dark color, locally grainy.
Live in a reserved area, the sculptor ...

The stylized figures of African tribal art
The oblong face, on which run parallel lines associated with the sacrifices, is topped with shells joined together in an elegant crest. This female figure has forearms that thicken towards the hands, which are placed at an angle on either side of the lower abdomen. The legs sink into the drumstick base called "sedine" or "dol" depending on the dialect. The narrow bust has a conical chest and signs symbolizing tribal keloids. Smooth, semi-satinized patina, residual ochre incrustations.
The Senoufos, the name given to them by French settlers, are mostly composed of farmers who have dispersed between Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso. Councils of elders, led by an elected chief, administer the Senoufo villages. Governed by ...

This figurative fetish statuette is said to be a divinatory fetish object. It would be of Tussia origin, Senoufo sub-group of Burkina-Faso. Irregular greenish-grey granular patina
. The Senoufos, the name given to them by the French colonists, are mainly composed of farmers who are scattered between Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso. Councils of elders, led by an elected chief, administer Senufo villages. Governed by matrilineal traditions, they are composed of clusters of dwellings named katiolo. Each has its own Poro association that initiates young boys from the age of seven in a succession of three cycles lasting seven years . They gather in a sacred enclosure called sinzanga located near the village, among the trees. Upon the death of one of the Poro members, ...

This ring is a symbol of prestige, copper being a sacred metal, and its animal motifs recall the Senufo genesis. Named "ring of silence", probably by virtue of the secrecy to which the initiates are subjected, it was sometimes worn on the left hand, sometimes held between the teeth by healers during ceremonies with a therapeutic aim. Total height on base (removable ring) : 8 cm. Mainly farmers, the Senoufo group lives in a savannah region that covers the south of Mali and Burkina Faso, and the north of the Ivory Coast. It includes about fifty sub-ethnic groups. The Senufo speak a Voltaic language, Gur, like the Lobi and Koulango. If among the five groups of Senoufo artisans the kulibèlé are sculptors, the fonombèlé are both smiths and sculptors, claiming to be directly inspired ...

Ex-Belgian African art collection.
African slingshot with senoufo mask pattern. Very beautiful honey patina. Desiccation crack.br> Representations of hybrid beings, the zoomorphic African masks of the Sénufo are worn by members of Poro society, an institution that controls political and economic life. Their function is to honor the elders or even appear at funerals, hence their name, poniugo , "funeral head". Living in a private neighborhood, the sculptor Sénufo , whose training spanned seven years, began with the production of everyday objects, then, little by little, mounted sculptures of larger size. more importantly. Initiation rituals completed his training. The piece features decorative patterns in red and white pastilles.

The African masks of the Senufo are worn by male members of the Poro society, an institution that controls political and economic life.
Growths of various shapes alternate around the face of this narrow mask. It is surmounted by an animal scene in the form of a stylized sculpted motif.
Black, grainy patina. "Kpélié" meaning "mask that jumps", this mask is also worn during initiations symbolically marking a death followed by a rebirth. Kept in the sacred enclosure named sezang in order to remove them from the gaze of the uninitiated, their function is to honor the elders or even appear at funerals. Anthropomorphic masks would mainly chase the spirit of the deceased from its place of residence. Living in a reserved area, the senufo sculptor, whose training ...

This statuette of maternity, a female effigy seated on a stool, breastfeeding her child, is represented with braids assembled in a stylized pattern. This sculpted scene generally symbolizes the initiate feeding on the knowledge of the mother goddess. Irregular blackish patina, satin, erosions.
The Senufos , a name given to them by the French colonists, are mostly composed of farmers who are scattered between Mali, the Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso. Councils of elders, led by an elected chief, administer the Senufo villages. Governed by matrilineal traditions, they are composed of clusters of dwellings named katiolo .
At the time of the death of one of the members of the Poro initiation society, statues named pombibele were exhibited. Although exclusively male, the Poro ...

Collection African tribal art French.
In African art, the masks of the Senufo are worn by male members of the Poro society, an institution that controls political and economic life.
Various protrusions alternate around this mask depicting a narrow face. It is surmounted by a stylized carved motif.
Red brown matte patina.
"Kpélié" meaning "mask that jumps", this African mask is also worn during initiations symbolically marking a death followed by a rebirth. Kept in the sacred enclosure named sezang in order to keep them from the gaze of the uninitiated, their function is to honor the elders or even appear at funerals. Anthropomorphic masks would mainly chase the spirit of the deceased from its place of residence. Living in a reserved neighborhood, the ...

This ring is a symbol of prestige, copper being a sacred metal, and its animal motifs, buffalo head and bird, recall the Senufo genesis. Called the "ring of silence", probably by virtue of the secrecy to which the initiates are subjected, it was sometimes worn on the left hand, sometimes held between the teeth by healers during ceremonies with a therapeutic aim. Total height on base: 20 cm. Mainly farmers, the Senoufo group lives in a savannah region that covers the south of Mali and Burkina Faso, and the north of the Ivory Coast. It includes about fifty sub-ethnic groups. The Senufo speak a Voltaic language, Gur, like the Lobi and Koulango. If among the five groups of Senoufo artisans the kulibèlé are sculptors, the fonombèlé are both smiths and sculptors, claiming to be ...

African tribal art and decorative pulleys of Senoufo looms
This pulley of smooth cephalomorphis is adorned with janiform faces with a conical crest rising from a long ringed neck. The walls are engraved with geometric patterns. The dark brown patina is grainy and lustrous by the ritual anointings based on oil.
Mainly farmers, the Senoufo group lives in a savannah region that covers southern Mali and Burkina Faso, and northern Côte d'Ivoire. It encompasses about 50 sub-ethnic groups. SSenoufo speak a Voltaic language Gur, Gur, like the Lobi and The Koulango. The councils of elders, led by an elected chief, administer the Senoufo villages. Governed by matrilineal traditions, they are composed of clusters of dwellings named katiolo . Each has its own associationPoro which ...

Ex-collection African art from Belgium.
Among the African furniture items of daily use is an ancient senoufo seat from the Ivory Coast, with a low, rectangular seat supported by massive legs. This type of stool for individual use, often carved from shea wood, marked the social rank of its owner and was not lent under any circumstances. Beautiful light patina velvety with use. Mainly farmers, the Senoufo group lives in a savannah region that covers the south of Mali and Burkina Faso, and the north of Côte d'Ivoire. It includes about fifty sub-ethnic groups. The Senufo speak a Voltaic language, Gur, like the Lobi and Koulango. Councils of elders, headed by an elected chief, administer Senufo villages. Governed by matrilineal traditions, they are composed of clusters of ...

This African senoufo mask, adorned with a polychrome pastillage, has a large mouth of tubular ears, horns and fangs, and a summit figure with a cup. This African senoufo mask with a round head, exorbitant pupils, wide toothed jaw and zoomorphic ears, is named 'fire-breather' (Korobla). It is sometimes accessorized with magical attributes. The chameleon motif refers to the emblematic animal that preceded the creation of human beings and symbolizes knowledge, the cup is intended for magical substances.
The Senoufo, the name given to them by french settlers, are mainly made up of farmers who have dispersed between Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso. The councils of elders, led by an elected chief, administer the senoufo villages.
Representations of hybrid beings, the ...

This feminine figure is surmounted by a lidded container, carved with a stage where zoomorphic subjects mingle, in connection with the bird of divination, in this case the calao grabbing a snake. Caramel ice cream surface with kaolin residue. A wing of the birds is broken.
The Senoufo, a name given to them by French settlers, are mostly made up of farmers who have dispersed between Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso. The councils of elders, led by an elected chief, administer the Senoufo villages. Governed by matrilineal traditions, they are composed of clusters of dwellings named katiolo . Each of them has its own association Poro which introduces young boys from the age of seven in a succession of three cycles lasting seven years. They gather in a sacred enclosure called ...

Equipped with a sculpted handle and sheathed in metal, this comb refers to the hornbill, which is the primordial bird that is part of the five animals of the Senoufo cosmogony, the first stage of the Senoufo creation. Evoked for morphological and behavioral criteria, it decorates in an emblematic way, in its miniature version, many Senoufo African art objects.
Mainly farmers, the Senoufo group lives in a savannah region that covers the south of Mali and Burkina Faso, and the north of the Ivory Coast. It includes about fifty sub-ethnic groups. The Senufo speak a Voltaic language, Gur, like the Lobi and Koulango. Councils of elders, headed by an elected chief, administer Senufo villages. Governed by matrilineal traditions, they are composed of clusters of dwellings named ...

A figure sculpted for divination purposes, this statuette offers bulging volumes evoking a character endowed with a powerful musculature. Framing a chiseled face, the unusual headdress is composed of braided hair, divided into two segments forming a stylized relief. Golden patina, very shaded. Filmy residue. Cracks of desiccation.
The Senoufos, the name given to them by the French colonists, are mainly composed of farmers who are dispersed between Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso. Governed by matrilineal traditions, their villages are composed of clusters of houses called katiolo . Each has its own Poro association that initiates young boys from the age of seven in a succession of three seven-year cycles . Upon the death of one of the Poro members, statues named pombibele ...

The African masks of the Senufo are worn by male members of the Poro society, an institution that controls political and economic life.
Two parallel faces, bordered by fins, topped by excrescences ending in volutes, constitute this "Kpélié" mask meaning "mask that jumps". It was worn during initiations symbolically marking a death followed by a rebirth.
Black shiny patina. Kept in the sacred enclosure named sezang in order to remove them from the gaze of the uninitiated, their function is to honor the elders or even appear at funerals. Anthropomorphic masks would mainly chase the spirit of the deceased from its place of residence. Living in a reserved area, the senufo sculptor, whose training lasted seven years, began by making everyday objects, then, little ...

An allegory of bravery, this sculpted narrative scene, featuring a character subduing a snake, recalls an anectode of Senufo creation. Indeed, an inhabitant named Safazani , a snake hunter, attacked a huge boa that warned him not to kill it. Despite his warnings, the man cut up the animal, ate it piece by piece, and the resulting droppings and urine gave rise to the mountains and streams of Senufo country. The center of the object is slightly hollowed out, forming a bowl probably intended for offerings. Desiccation cracks, old polychromy.
The Senoufos, the name given to them by the French colonists, are mostly composed of farmers who were dispersed between Mali, the Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso. Councils of elders, led by an elected chief, administer the Senufo villages. ...

This female figure with graceful arms, her body bearing traditional scarification marks, is represented sitting on a stool. Her hairstyle is made up of braids joined in a crest.
Black brown patina, cracks and abrasions. The Senoufos, the name given to them by the French colonists, are mainly composed of farmers who are scattered between Mali, the Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. Councils of elders, led by an elected chief, administer Senufo villages. Governed by matrilineal traditions, they are composed of clusters of dwellings named katiolo. Each has its own Poro association that initiates young boys from the age of seven in a succession of three cycles lasting seven years . They gather in a sacred enclosure called sinzanga located near the village, among the trees. Upon ...

The African masks of the Senufo are worn by male members of the Poro society, an institution that controls political and economic life.
Variously shaped fins alternate on the contours of this narrow mask topped with a chameleon figure. "Kpélié" meaning "mask that jumps", it is also worn during initiations symbolically marking a death followed by a rebirth.
Dark patina, with residual ochre incrustations. Kept in the sacred enclosure named sezang in order to remove them from the gaze of the uninitiated, their function is to honor the elders or even appear at funerals. Anthropomorphic masks would mainly chase the spirit of the deceased from its place of residence. Living in a reserved area, the senufo sculptor, whose training lasted seven years, began by making ...