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 37–44 of 44 results

  • Sale!

    Vintage Shell Ear Covers Buffalo Design, India (1640EKE) $250

    Original price was: $250.00.Current price is: $212.50.
    Ht: 5.25″  W: 3.75″  D: 2″ | FREE SHIPPING in continental u.s.!

    This unique rare and fascinating vintage carved Naga tribe conch shell ear cover from India is decorated with a traditional abstract motif of curved buffalo horns with the buffalo’s head and neck inside the V-shaped horns. Mounted on a frosted acrylic base, it would make a dramatic presentation when displayed with Naga Shell Ear Coverings 1639A and 1639B.

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    Vintage Spirit Ancestor Mask with Hair, Indonesia, Timor (1211YKM) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $495.00.Current price is: $420.75.
    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.

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

    Original price was: $550.00.Current price is: $467.50.
    H:  7.25″   W:  6″   D: 3.25″    |  CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST

    Made by a Balinese carver on Lombok, this mask of a Hindu king exhibits his positive qualities as a refined, cultured, idealized, high born, model leader and is painted white, the color of purity. Mask dances and dramas honor, please and provide offerings to the gods. Mounted on a Museum Quality Stand

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    Vintage Woven Kuba Cloth Square, Africa, Republic of Congo (3781A-FLK) $95

    Original price was: $95.00.Current price is: $80.75.
    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.

     

     

  • Sale!

    Vintage Woven Kuba Textile, Africa, Republic of Congo (3781B-FLK) $95

    Original price was: $95.00.Current price is: $80.75.
    H: 14″    W: 21 ”      | 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.

     

  • Sale!

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

    Original price was: $785.00.Current price is: $667.25.
    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 (1963BHA) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $465.00.Current price is: $395.25.
    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. With one of the world’s highest twin births rate and mortality rate, the Yoruba have a twin cult to revering deceased twins as potent spirits and honor them with carved images to house their spirits and souls.

  • Sale!

    Vintage Yoruba Ere Ibeji with Thick Sandals, Nigeria (1967LAE) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $485.00.Current price is: $412.25.
    H: 9.5″  W: 3.25″  D: 3″ | FREE SHIPPING IN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This Nigerian Ibeji reflects the distinctive Yoruba artistic and cultural conventions with an oversized and elongated head where one’s spirit, intelligence and the seat of divine power lie, a high coiffure with plaits, bulging eyes with thick eyelids and incised lashes, smiling lips and scarification on his cheeks. His distinguishing features are his necklace with triangular pendants and remarkably high thick sandals that make him appear taller. With the world’s highest rates of twin births but high mortality rates, the Yoruba have developed a “twin cult” to honor the deceased twin(s) with carved images to house their spirits and souls.

     

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