This hand-cast crafted Djenne bracelet is made of bronze and terracotta dates as early as the 11th or 12th century. This type of bracelets were highly prized in Western Africa from 1600-1900, and utilized not only as jewelry and Currency Trade Money, but also as portable wealth. 

Made of 100% Brass / Bronze

Model is W 11 – H 3 and weight 0.15 kg.

This authentic antique Benin bronze ancestral altar bell, cast in the form of a dome comes from Nigeria. The bell is surmounted with by a horseman and adorned by geometical shape. Tribal bells were used for a variety of purposes, such as proclaiming a sacred presence as well as a neutralizing hostile or harmful forces. Bells were used as tools of communication, as portable instruments for conveying important messages, and as a form or currency. The predominant method employed by the Edo in creating objects like the Bells, called “lost-wax casting, does not permit for a mold to be used more than once, a fact which accounts for the idiosyncrasies and lack of exact copies in known examples of Benin bronzes. Using the bells and rattle stuffs to call the ancestor’s spirit, the oba offered sacrifices to him and to the earth on the altar.

Made of 100% Bronze, copper alloy.

Model is W 8 – H 32 and weight 0.4 kg.

This authentic, free-standing brass head cast in the lost wax technique of the Benin Kingdom, in what is now Nigeria, exhibits a virtuosity and sophistication of style that has astonished the Western world since they were visited in the 15th century. The face's shape and unique expression, a tranquil and dignified presence with the transcendent gaze clearly indicate qualities of genuine nobility: endurance, far-sightedness, determination, and wisdom.

Made of 100% Copper

Age late 14th-early 15th century

Model is W 41 – H 25 and weight 5 kg.

The piece featured here is a deeply carved wood spear head in a bamboo shaft from the Dogon tribe in Mali. The spear head is carved of heavy dense wood and shows bars or barbs down one side. The head would remove from the shaft. The most notable weapons were made using a long wooden sheath and a metallic head as well as the bow and arrows and shields often made from animal hide. Spears were leaf shaped with along wooden shaft.The weapons consisted of spears and special javelins.Sometimes these were attached to a long string so that, after spearing an enemy, the spear could be pulled back again and used once more.

Made of 100% Iron, bamboo.

Model is W 4 – H 103 and weight 0.6 kg.

Beautifully hand carved figural amulet originating from the Dogon people of Mali. According to Dogon thought, copper shares the essence of Nommo, a mythological being that represents order, purity, fertility, and life. They are supposed to protect the wearer.Small in scale but large in personality, these amulets, bracelets, rings, and pendants deserve close examination as a significant Dogon artistic tradition.The identity between the Nommo and the blacksmith creates a bond and an identity that gives the blacksmith special powers which include the ability to call down rain so important in Dogon life.

Made of 100% Brass / Bronze

Model is W 5 – H 12 and weight 0.2 kg.

This Djenne bracelet made of bronze and terracotta dates as early as the 11th or 12th century. This type of bracelets such as this were highly prized in Western Africa from 1600-1900, and utilized not only as jewelry and Currency Trade Money, but also as portable wealth.

Made of 100% Brass / Bronze

Model is W 12– H 9 and weight 0.2 kg.

Hand-cast crafted Mono Bronze mask, with highly refined features, embodies the best of early sophisticated bronze work of Dogon art. The raised nose, lips and eyes must have been formed by pounding over a mold. Eyes are bulbous, ears flared, the delicate mouth is slightly parted, the chin tapers from a wide forehead giving it a pointed face, hollow design around the edges, elongated nose. It has a rusted oxidized patina. The mask was probably worn on the hip as a symbol of honor by a high ranking person. It represents sophisticated bronze work, conveying a strong sense of “personality” and “presence,” that says a great deal about the blacksmith’s skill. In Africa there are important secret societies in which ancestors are honored by sacrifice and offerings. Made with lost wax process, it is a unique piece with an amazing patina. The iron masks are wired to hang, but could also be mounted as with mask

Made of 100% Brass / Bronze

Model is W 19 – H 28 and weight 1.2 kg.

This superb cast bronze bell or, less known than the bronzes of Benin, is a Tikar bronze bell. They also stand in African art by their finesse. The Tikar Sculpture symbol s unknown to us, it's finely crafted and has a nice patina. The Tikar are a pygmy people found in western Cameroon. They developed a process of using hot wax and bronze called "Lost Wax Method" to create masks and statues to be used during agricultural and other ceremonies and festivals.The Tikar have traditionally performed bronze casting. Some objects typically attributed to Bamun / Bamelike are actually Tikar.

Made of 100% "Bronze" Brass, copper Alloy.

Model is W 8 – H 33 and weight 0.4 kg.

This authentic, well preserved Bronze of the Benin Kingdom in what is now Nigeria exhibits a virtuosity and sophistication of style that has astonished the Western world since they were visited in the 15th century. The figure and pose are classic from the high period of Benin art in the 15th century and honor the King or Oba.

Made of 100% Bronze

Age Mid 15th Century

Model is W 53 – H 15 and weight 5.3 kg.

This ravishingly beautiful head, staring ahead with unwavering calmness, perfectly proportioned, elegantly cast originate from Ife, Nigeria. It is believed to represent a portrait of a ruler known as an Ooni or Oni. It was likely made under the patronage of King Obalufon II whose famous naturalistic life size face mask in copper shares stylistic features with this work. The crown is topped by a crest, with a rosette and a plume. Ife was a wealthy city-state that flourished in what is now western Nigeria between the 12th and 15th centuries. Using a complicated lost-wax process that was hugely difficult to get right, their casted life-size bronze heads to an immaculate finish, Ife's sculptors repeated their immense creative achievement again and again. It presents a young warrior of irreducible nobility. As with most Ife heads, the warrior's face is covered with a dense network of lines that probably represent a set of tribal striations incised into the skin. Their effect, though, is never one of fierceness or bellicosity. Instead, the insistent patterns seem to bring an unshakable elegance to these taut, unwrinkled faces. The final effect is always of deep composure. Nobody is sure how the Ife heads were used. A few may have been worn as masks. Most seem to have been made to stand on altars at times of worship. Interestingly, each one is different enough to suggest that a degree of portraiture was intended.

Made of 100% Bronze, copper alloy.

Model is W 27 – H 58 and weight 1.4 kg

The bronze Leopard is a royal icon and were often used as royal water vessels. Water was poured from the mouth over the Oba's hands in cleansing rituals. The figures of a leopard were the sole property of the oba – the leopard was the royal animal. They were kept on royal altars. Known for their remarkable bronzes. Almost all Benin art was created to honor the king , or Oba, who has reigned, with his ancestors, from the 15th century.

Made of 100% Bronze

Model is W 10 – H 18 and weight 0.3 kg.

Beautifully hand carved figural Nommo Amulet originating from the Dogon people of Mali. According to Dogon thought, copper shares the essence of Nommo, a mythological being that represents order, purity, fertility, and life. They are supposed to protect the wearer.Small in scale but large in personality, these amulets, bracelets, rings, and pendants deserve close examination as a significant Dogon artistic tradition.The identity between the Nommo and the blacksmith creates a bond and an identity that gives the blacksmith special powers which include the ability to call down rain so important in Dogon life.

Made of 100% Brass / Bronze

Model is W 8 – H 12 and weight 0.3 kg.

Beautiful, rare antique cast bronze sitting female figure, made by the Dogon, but possibly an even older Djenne piece from Mali. Sculpture has a wonderful, very old encrusted patina on it and date at least from the late 19th century but maybe before. 

Made of 100% Brass / Bronze

Model is W 17 – H 8 and weight 1.8 kg.

This beautiful miniature head cast in the lost wax technique originates from Ife, Nigeria, the religious and former royal centre of the Yoruba people. It is believed to represent an Ooni which means king. Such sculptures such as this was very unqiue to the culture of African art. According to the oral traditions of the Yoruba people, Ife is the place where life and civilisation began. Ife is regarded as the legendary homeland of theYoruba-speaking peoples and its sacred ruler, the Ooni, is still revered as the descendant of the original creator gods.

Made of 100% Bronze, copper alloy.

Model is W 9 – H 22 and weight 0.4 kg.

This authentic antique Benin bronze ancestral altar bell, cast in the form of a dome comes from Nigeria. The bell is surmounted with by a horseman and adorned by geometical shape. Tribal bells were used for a variety of purposes, such as proclaiming a sacred presence as well as a neutralizing hostile or harmful forces. Bells were used as tools of communication, as portable instruments for conveying important messages, and as a form or currency. The predominant method employed by the Edo in creating objects like the Bells, called “lost-wax casting, does not permit for a mold to be used more than once, a fact which accounts for the idiosyncrasies and lack of exact copies in known examples of Benin bronzes. Using the bells and rattle stuffs to call the ancestor’s spirit, the Oba offered sacrifices to him and to the earth on the altar.

Made of 100% Bronze, copper alloy.

Model is W 8 – H 31 and weight 0.4 kg.

Brass ceremonial tobacco pipe, conical, decorated with a geometric ornments and facial features. The piece originates from the Ife tribe in Nigeria. Pieces such as this one were created to honor the king , or Oba, who has reigned, with his ancestors, from the 15th century. Ife is regarded as the legendary homeland of theYoruba-speaking peoples and its sacred ruler, the Ooni, is still revered as the descendant of the original creator gods.

Made of 100% Bronze, copper alloy.

Model is W 18 – H 42 and weight 0.4 kg.

Vintage tribal ceremonial spoon nicely cast in bronze in the traditional lost wax method, and is decorated with typical tribal motifs. It has aged well, with good colour/patina and is in good condition.

Made of 100% "Bronze" Brass, copper alloy.

Model is W 5 – H 41 and weight 0.5 kg.

This authentic, well-preserved bronze plaque of the Benin Kingdom in what is now Nigeria exhibits a virtuosity and sophistication of style that has astonished the Western world. The figure and pose are classic from the high period of Benin art in the 15th century and honor the King or Oba.

Made of 100% Bronze

Model is W 35 - H 33 and weight 3.1 kg

This authentic antique Benin bronze ancestral altar bell, cast in the form of a dome comes from Nigeria. The bell is surmounted with by a horseman and adorned by geometical shape. Tribal bells were used for a variety of purposes, such as proclaiming a sacred presence as well as a neutralizing hostile or harmful forces. Bells were used as tools of communication, as portable instruments for conveying important messages, and as a form or currency. The predominant method employed by the Edo in creating objects like the Bells, called “lost-wax casting, does not permit for a mold to be used more than once, a fact which accounts for the idiosyncrasies and lack of exact copies in known examples of Benin bronzes. Using the bells and rattle stuffs to call the ancestor’s spirit, the oba offered sacrifices to him and to the earth on the altar.

Made of 100% Bronze, copper alloy.

Model is W 9 – H 32 and weight 0.4 kg.

This finely cast bronze (brass - copper alloy) figural scene comes from Nigeria. It depicts a female figure, an elder smoking tobacco and holding, what seems to be a staff.

The work of bronze by the technique of wax lost in African art.

Made of 100% Bronze, copper alloy.

Model is W 7 – H 16 and weight 0.3 kg.

Hand-cast crafted Iron initiation masks from the Bamama Tribe, Mali West, with highly refined features, embodies the best of early sophisticated bronze work of Dogon art. Made with lost wax process, it is a unique piece with an amazing patina. The iron masks are wired to hang, but could also be mounted.

Made of 100% Brass / Bronze

Model is W 36 – H 22 and weight 2.1 kg.

The piece featured here is a deeply carved wood spear head in a bamboo shaft from the Dogon tribe in Mali. The spear head is carved of heavy dense wood and shows bars or barbs down one side. The head would remove from the shaft. The most notable weapons were made using a long wooden sheath and a metallic head as well as the bow and arrows and shields often made from animal hide. Spears were leaf shaped with along wooden shaft.The weapons consisted of spears and special javelins.Sometimes these were attached to a long string so that, after spearing an enemy, the spear could be pulled back again and used once more.

Made of 100% Iron, bamboo.

Model is W 4 – H 103 and weight 0.6 kg.

The piece featured here is a deeply carved wood spear head in a bamboo shaft from the Dogon tribe in Mali. The spear head is carved of heavy dense wood and shows bars or barbs down one side. The head would remove from the shaft. The most notable weapons were made using a long wooden sheath and a metallic head as well as the bow and arrows and shields often made from animal hide. Spears were leaf shaped with along wooden shaft.The weapons consisted of spears and special javelins.Sometimes these were attached to a long string so that, after spearing an enemy, the spear could be pulled back again and used once more.

Made of 100% Iron, bamboo.

Model is W 5 – H 96 and weight 0.6 kg.

This zoomorphic forged iron mask reflect an earlier period of bronze or brass casting and seem to represent a ram. The The face is short and broad across the cheekbones, narrowing to a pointed snout and a domed top of the head. The ears protrude sharply from the top one third of the head, and the horns overarch these and reach around towards the front of the face. It has a dark, oxidised patina.These masks are forged by blacksmiths working them into shapes that could be worn, simply carried, or kept in a ritual location. Today there is no active tradition of these masks being used. In fact as little is known about forged iron masks among the Bamana or Dogon or Senufo or any of the Western Sudanic groups it would be conjecture to assert more than this at this time. This mask does indicate the skill of the blacksmith in forging a mask out of iron, a medium much more difficult to work than wood.

Made of 100% Brass / Bronze

Model is W 25 – H 32 and weight 0.7 kg.

This rare, museum quality, authentic amulet is made of Bronze and originates from the Dogon tribe, a symbol of a material power, but also the instrument of warlike adventures. A superb heavy oxidized vert-de-gris patina of greens and browns as well as encrusted deposits cover this imposing ring.The Dogon are an ethnic group living in the central plateau region of Mali, south of the Niger bend near the city of Bandiagara in the Mopti region. Certain researchers investigating the Dogon have reported that they seem to possess advanced astronomical knowledge.

Made of 100% Brass / Bronze

Model is W 6 – H 6 and weight 0.3 kg.

This authentic, well preserved Bronze of the Benin Kingdom is usually seen as a court official whose job it was to herald the arrival of the Oba's royal entourage with the blow of his horn during public processions. The hornblower wears luxurious clothing and is therefore more likely dressed for a specific festival or celebration than for a war.

Made of 100% Bronze

Age Mid 15th Century

Model is W 60 – H 13 and weight 7.5 kg.