Made using hid with shell decoration this girls pubic protector would have been worn by a young girl of the African pygmy Kalahari Bushman tribe...an interesting ethnographic artifact and can easily be framed for display
Black mask with an unusual slightly conical coiffe. Africa, Gabon, Punu Peoples. Height: 12 " ( 30 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old accidents and infestations (no danger), otherwise good condition. NOTE 1: A similar mask is in the Dapper Museum collection in Paris, published in "Masques" Editions Dapper 1995, 2000, 2006 Paris, page 89. NOTE 2: Punu masks are worn during funerals by members of the "Mukuji" Society and are meant to represent ancestors.
Finely carved dance crest representing a female bust with an elaborate coiffe. Wood, with glossy dark-brown patina. Africa, Nigeria, Idoma Peoples. Height: 11 1/8" (28,2 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom bronze stand. Old insect infestation (no danger), otherwise very good condition. Ex. old French collection.
Interesting Yoruba figure from Eshu cult
Bottom is damaged otherwise the figure is safe
H 62 cm
more information on request
Janus-shaped helmet mask, the two back-to-back faces of a similar expression, surmounted by a semi circular flat coiffe. Wood, with glossy age patina. Africa, Nigeria, Idoma Peoples. Height: 14" (35 cm). Old insect infestations (no danger), small accidents and chips, otherwise very good condition.
From Ibaden, Nigeria this traditional Yoruba cloth was woven by the men of the village. It was worn tied around the waist of the woman, and used as a baby carrier. This piece was brought back from Africa in 1961. Hand loomed of cotton fibers, it has a wonderful soft color and texture. It measures 10" wide and 68" long including fringe.
Description: Attractive African woven basket with wooden figure. beautiful craftsmanship and great carving.
Size: 7"H x 4.5" in diameter, in great condition.
This collection of 3 hand carved wooden hair combs is from the Nigerian Yoruba tribe. They were brought to the US by a (then young) anthropologist who traveled extensively in Africa during the early 1960's and have been retained in his personal collection until recently.
The taller center comb is 8 inches and the shorter combs on the sides are 4.25 inches. I prefer to sell them as a collection.
This 11" fetish is carved from a dark ebony colored work and has no paint work. The poultice sacks on the body are in excellent condition. Very beautiful, very desirable.
Handsome handcarved wooden ceremonial mask from Kenya. The mask is carved from a single piece of wood. Excellent condition, the back has a screw attached for hanging on the wall. Circa 1970. 12/1-2" x 5-1/4".
Helmet mask with three faces, Ekoi, Cross River, Nigeria.
Height 62 cm. Mid 20th century.
Partly covered with antelope skin. The headdress and the three figures are attached on (partly new) wooden pins and can easily be removed for transport. There is old rodent damage to the figures.
Ex Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021), The Netherlands.
A (heavy) stand can be included.
More pictures available on request.
Hardwood group depicting a horse rider surrounded by a kneeling figure and two drum players.
H. 19 cm. First half of the 20th century. Some missing parts on the kneeling figure.
Ex coll. Ursula Heijs Voorhuis (1932-2021), The Netherlands.
Ex Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, Germany.
H. 85 cm. Mid 20th century. Artist: Tage from Kpwazang (?)
Provenance:
Norfolk State Museum
Marc Assayag, Montreal, Canada
Srdjan Sremac, The Hague
Auction: Dorotheum Vienna, ‘Tribal Art’, March 2022.
A very rare group from Ketu, Benin, probably used as a divination tray or as a display piece for an important Babalawo. Diameter 52 cm, H. 30 cm. Mid 20th century. The hand of one figure has been replaced.
Ex coll. Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021), The Netherlands
Ex Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg
Guy van Rijn archive: ao-0102485-005 with comments from Ursula Voorhuis and Hans Witte.
The scene depicts the consultation of the Ifa oracle by a woman...
Colorful altar from the Ketu region in Benin. Carved all around with a maternity figure and 3 other figures. At the back there is an opening with a tin frame. Probably this part was originally covered by a small door.
H. 40 cm, D 30 cm. Mid 20th century or older. Ex coll. Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021), The Netherlands.
Guy van Rijn archive: ao-0104491-001.
Hans Witte commented about this object: this form is typical for the Oshumare shrines from Ketu...
A serene mask from the first half of the 20th century. H. 23 cm, L. 26 cm. Light traces of pigment.
Ex coll. Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021), The Netherlands.
Guy van Rijn archive: ao-0110538-001.
Old helmet mask, of typical form, with three faces surmounted by an elaborate coiffe. Wood, with fine age patina. Africa, Sierra Leone, Mende ethnic group. Height: 16 cm. Diameter: 17 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Obvious signs of use and age, otherwise very good condition.
A finely carved male ibeji, with typical coiffe, scarifications on the abdomen and the back, arms alongside the torso, standing on a rounded base. Wood, with nice dark brown semi glossy patina. Africa, Nigeria/Benin, Yoruba ethnic group. Height: 30 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: Old French provincial collection.
Alusi shrine figure. H. 59 cm. First half of the 20th century. Ex Jacques Kerchache (1942 - 2001), ex Christie’s Paris, 29-10-2008, ex galerie Walu Basel, ex Hammer Auktionen.
Guy van Rijn archive ao-0093787-001.
Ashanti doll, 2nd quarter of the 20th century, by a known carver. See Ron van Doorn - Herbert M. Cole : Akua’Ba Asante Wednesday Child, page 154-155. H. 24,5 cm. Provenance: private collection UK.
Stunning Yoruba stool from the collection of Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021), The Netherlands.
Supported by 6 figures: a family with a nursing mother, a man with a goat, a maternity and a man with a walking stick.
H. 30 cm, diameter 33 cm. First half of the 20th century.
Condition: age cracks, repair to the goat, some missing parts. Overall in good condition with a lovely patina and remains of Reckitt Blue pigments.
Yoruba stool with a dog (?) , Nigeria.
Ex Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021).
Mid 20th century or older.
H. 28 cm, diameter 22 cm.
Male and female Ibeji from Iseyin City, Oyo State., adorned with a necklace and bracelets made of glass beads and a belt made of cocunut discs. H. 26,5 cm. First half of the 20th century.
Provenance:
Dutch private collection,
Robert van der Heijden, Amsterdam.
L. 48 cm. Good condition with expected age wear, cracks, some insect damage and some damage to the left ear.
First half 20th century.
Guy van Rijn ao-0083609-001
Provenance:
Arnold Newman (1918-2006), New York, until 2006,
Robert Schrimpf, Paris,
Christie’s Paris, 2006,
Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, 2009.
Anthropomorphic mask depicting a female. Hardwood with metal earrings. H. 24 cm. First half of the 20th century. A very fine mask with nice scarifications on the cheeks and forehead. Beautiful signs of age and a lovely patina.
Ex Roger Bergmans, Belgium.
Ex Srdjan Sremac, The Hague.
Comes with a beautiful metal stand by Roger Bergmans.
Small and rare fetish figure. Hardwood with feathers, glass, copper, horn, fabric. First half of the 20th century.
H. 13 cm (20 cm with the solid brass stand).
Ex. JM Desaive, Herve, Belgium.
Ex Srdjan Sremac, The Hague.
Early 20th century male mask with scarifications. H. 31 cm.
Ex David Utzon Frank, Denmark.
Ex Srdjan Sremac, The Hague.
Nicely carved mask with refined features which suggest a feminine mask. Ivory Coast/Liberia, Dan ethnic group, early 20th century. Height: 24.5 cm. The mask is mounted on a custom stand. Ols insect infestation (no danger), old cracks, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: old French collection.
From our African Collection: a Beaded Yoruba Fertility Figure, 12" across base, 40" h. From the 1940s.
Yoruba figurative sculptures for shrines dedicated to various deities often depict female devotees accompanied by children and holding bowls for kola nuts or other offerings. The Lid can be taken off to hold spices, herbs, food, nuts and other offerings to the fertility gods.
African Colon Figures
From our African Collection: Colon figures from the Ivory Coast made in the craft of the Baule people.
$2,500 for the pair. Both are 8" at base, 42" h.
The Baule or Baoulé are an Akan people and one of the largest groups in Côte d'Ivoire who historically migrated from Ghana. The Baoulé are traditionally farmers who live in the centre of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), in a triangle shaped region (the Baoule “V”) between the rivers Bandama and N'Zi...
From our African Collection: A Maasai Woman Wooden Bust, 9" at base & 22" h.
The Maasai people originated in South Sudan. Their language, known as Maa, is the southernmost of the Nilotic group, including idioms spoken in Ethiopia and Sudan.
They migrated to their current homeland between Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania during the late 17th and early 18th centuries...
Hardwood stool decorated with four carved figures. First half 20th century.One side shows two Yoruba women; the right one is feeding her baby, the left one is holding an unknown object. The other side shows to Yoruba men dressed in European clothing. The top and bottom of the stool are decorated with a geometric band. H. 29,5 cm, diameter 24 cm. Condition: age cracks, the right man is missing his hands. The stool shows good signs of use and has a great patina...
Elegant figure with great age. H. 30 cm. Condition: old worm holes. Early 20th century.
Provenance:
Christophe Rolley, Paris,
Srdjan Sremac, Den Haag.
Hardwood and iron. H. 38 cm.
Provenance:
Robert van der Heijden, Amsterdam,
Srdjan Sremac, The Hague.
Wood, animal teeth and hair, human hair, iron.H. 23 cm (without the beard).
Van Rijn: ao-0161468-002
Provenance:
William Siegmann, curator emeritus, Brooklyn Museum, New York.
H. 23 cm. (Excluding the beard. Very good complete condition. The mask is covered with red fabric, the eyes are made of aluminium.
Provenance:
Klaus Paysan (1930-2011), Stuttgart, Germany.
Robert van der Heijden, Amsterdam.
Exhibited:
Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Schloss Rosenstein, Stuttgart - ‘Afrika, Tiere, Maske und Magie’.