Tribal Art

A tribal group (tribe) has a strong consciousnes of, loyalty and commitment to and identification with a social group composed of families or clans sharing the same language, customs, interests and beliefs and whose affiliation rises above all others. The tribe shares common ancestors, has a common leader and often produces art with accepted standards, guidelines and recognizable group symbols unlike the art of others. Often called tribal art, other acceptible phrases with the same meaning include ethnic, indigenous and folk art.

Showing 37–43 of 43 results

  • Sale!

    Vintage Shell Ear Covers Buffalo Design, India #1640EKE

    Original price was: $250.00.Current price is: $195.00.
    H: 5.25″    W:3.75 ”    D: 2 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Made by the Naga, a collection of tribal ethnic groups in India with a similar culture including a headhunting tradition in its past, conch shell ear covers are worn by men and attached to pierced ears through a hole in the shell. They are usually decorated stippled abstract images of curved buffalo horns with the buffalo’s neck and head inside the V-shaped horns. Mounted on a lucite base, they are an interesting example of unique cultural art,.

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    Vintage Spirit Ancestor Mask with Hair, Indonesia, Timor #1211YKM

    Original price was: $495.00.Current price is: $325.00.
    H: 12.5″ W: 8.625″ D: 2.75″ | FREE SHIPPING IN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Timor masks like this are rare and characterized by large roughly cut eyes, the absence of some teeth and the remaining ones being menacing. They are stored in the rafters above the house hearth accounting for their smoky black color. Often decorated with animal hide with hair, the facial pieces have either not darkened fully in the rafters or, when placed on top of each other, did not darken evenly. Frequently a bit threatening due to the black color, missing teeth and their frequent lack of balance, these ancestral masks are used in offering rituals designed to drive off malevolent spirits.

  • Vintage Topeng Dalem, Mask of a King, Museum Quality Stand, Indonesia (1322JLS)

    $550.00

    H: 7.25″   W: 6”    D: 3.25”   |  CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST This mask of a king (topeng dalem) was made by a carver from the Balinese community on the Island of Lombok. Most Balinese carvings and masks are a blend of Hinduism and its initial animism.  Hindus on Lombok descended…

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    Vintage Woven Kuba Cloth Square, Africa, Republic of Congo #3781A

    Original price was: $95.00.Current price is: $75.00.
    H: 18″  W: 18″ | FREE SHIPPING!

    Woven from strands of raffia palm leaves, this vintage Kuba cloth reflects the traditional fabric traditions of the Kuba people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is a typically bordered square with rough textural surfaces interspersed with repeated geometric patterns and embellished with sophisticated embroidered, applique and patchwork linear designs of interlocking meandering patterns of vegetable dye shades of dark brown and ivory in a natural flat-weave pattern framed with tufted-cut pile raffia and applique.

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    Vintage Woven Kuba Textile, Africa, Republic of Congo #3781B

    Original price was: $95.00.Current price is: $75.00.
    H: 18″  W: 18″ | FREE SHIPPING IN CONTINENTAL US!

    Woven from strands of raffia palm leaves, this vintage Kuba cloth reflects the traditional fabric traditions of the Kuba people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is a typically bordered square with rough textural surfaces interspersed with repeated geometric patterns and embellished with sophisticated embroidered, applique and patchwork linear designs of interlocking meandering patterns of vegetable dye shades of dark brown and ivory in a natural flat-weave pattern framed with tufted-cut pile raffia and applique.

  • Vintage Yoruba Cowrie Shell Head Shrine, Africa, Nigeria (1657BSK)

    $785.00
    H: 15″ W: 9″ D: 9″   |  CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST

    Vintage “crowns” called an ile ori  the “house of the head,”  were cowrie shell shrine  made to show gratitude for and recognition of the power of the head and manifest Yoruba ideas of individuality and authority. Not meant to be worn they are often placed on altars for prayer and divination and can be a symbol of a Yoruba deity. This headdress with an impressive design was included in the San Francisco International Airport, “Crowning Achievements” exhibition in April-August, 1994. It comes with a Lucite stand.

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    Vintage Yoruba Ere Ibeji with High Hat, Nigeria #1963

    Original price was: $465.00.Current price is: $325.00.
    H: 7.125″  W: 2.125″  D: 2.25″ | Free Shipping IN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This finely carved Ibeji has distinctive Yoruba features. The elongated head is narrow, has full lips, thick eyelids, incised lashes, flat prominent ears, a high stylized coiffure and scarifications. The strong stance with hands on hips, massive legs and arms are visible signs of fertility and power. The elongated head is where one’s spirit, intelligence and the seat of  power lie. This vintage statue is finely carved with a smooth patina.

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