Objects

A gorgeous old earthenware plate -sahfa- from the Rif region in Northern Morocco. Used to prepare food, specially bread dough and cous cous. The pottery from the Rif region is handmade by women using the coil technique. Once the piece is molded, it will be polished and a slip (engobe) is applied to it. Traditional tribal designs are painted with natural dyes that, in addition to decorating, have prophylactic and flattering effects. Finally, it is cooked in primitive adobe ovens or buried in embers. Authentic ancestral beauty!

A lovely old earthenware water jug -guembura- from the Rif region in Northern Morocco. Used to transport water. The pottery from the Rif region is handmade by women using the coil technique. Once the piece is molded, it will be polished and a slip (engobe) is applied to it. Traditional tribal designs are painted with natural dyes that, in addition to decorating, have prophylactic and flattering effects. In this case, of so much use, the designs have almost disappeared although the piece retains a magnificent patina enhanced by the sensual organic shapes that only female hands can mold. Authentic ancestral beauty!

An old carved wood chest from Tahzout in the region of Al Hoceïma on the Moroccan Mediterranean coast. Its carved decoration shows a serie of arches that represent the mihrab of mosques and also, according to many scholars, are a representation of the ancient Carthaginian goddess Tanit, as well as geometrical typical Berber polychrome ornamentation. However not all its panels are decorated as it was common to decorate only those parts exposed. These pieces of furniture or -sunduk- were used to keep valuables belongings such as jewellery, glass, cosmetics, etc. 

Small size. It presents some minor reparation.

A superb old -sunduk-, sunduq-, travel or -camel- chest from Mauritania. Made of wood it features beautiful intricate copper fittings that make it very atractive. With key. It has small round handles to make it easier to carry and to secure it with straps to the mount. Beautiful examples of this quality have become extremely rare to find nowadays.  

An old Tuareg litter from the Moroccan Sahara. It would be used as a litter on the back of the mount to stow the load and when on camp and turned over as a platform. The wooden legs feature the typical Tuareg engraved decoration. A very original piece with a superb patina which due to its unusual small size may have many decorative uses.

A wonderful man's old Tuareg leather bag from Mali. Decorated with cowries and leather tassels. It includes a full set of pocket knifes, wood piquet, leather pouches and fly-whisks made of leather and animal hair. Superb patina. An extremely covetable piece as it is the complete set!.

A great vintage Moroccan nickel silver hamman bowl featuring a nice embossed decoration. It may serve for many purposes now. Large size. You decide!.

A stunning antique traditional Berber man leather and embroidery bag or -akrab- from the Moroccan Berber tribe of the Aït Morhad.  A scarce example, in a wonderful state and with an oustanding workmanship. A similar one can be seen in the Musée Tiskiwin in Marrakech (see page 53 of "L'art de la Parure sur l'itinerare Marrakech-Agadez-Tombouctou Marrakech", Tome I, by Bert Flint). A true gem.  

A nice small wood printing textile block from Afghanistan or Pakistan. It is used to print patterns on textiles making wonderful floral designs. It is a simple method that still requires an important degree of dexterity from the artisan. It show traces of indigo or like dye. Very original and decorative.

A beautiful small wood printing textile block from Afghanistan or Pakistan. It is used to print patterns on textiles making wonderful floral designs. It is a simple method that still requires an important degree of dexterity from the artisan. It show traces of indigo or like dye. Very original and decorative.

A beautiful small wood printing textile block from Afghanistan or Pakistan. It is used to print patterns on textiles making wonderful floral designs. It is a simple method that still requires an important degree of dexterity from the artisan. It show traces of indigo or like dye. Very original and decorative.

A great set of old Pashtoon or Turkoman tassels from Afghanistan. They were most likely part of a headdress or of a traditional frock coat. It could have also been used as part of the traditional harness of a horse. The tassels are made of beautifully worked silver domes with hanging fringe ending in tiny blue beads. It calls particularly the attention the most original cross-shaped silver bead connecting the lower tassels to the one on top. A remarkable tribal piece.

A great set of old Pashtoon or Turkoman tassels from Afghanistan. They were most likely part of a headdress or of a traditional frock coat. It could have also been used as part of the traditional harness of a horse. The tassels are made of beautifully worked silver domes with hanging fringe ending in tiny blue beads. It calls particularly the attention the most original cross-shaped silver bead connecting the lower tassels to the one on top. A remarkable tribal piece.

A lovely old Senufo bed meant for a child. It is carved out from a single block of wood and it features simple and charming carved decoration on the edges, legs and headrest area. The headrest is made of a piece of iron covered with braided vegetal fiber and a piece of rag. By its size it was most likely meant for a child. Superb patina. A wonderful piece of ethnography.

A charming set of three old Berber dolls. Each of them are made of a piece of bone lovely dressed in traditional peasant attires. 

An oustanding old tbal or drum from Mauritania. Its main body is made of a single piece of wood beautifully carved and decorated in black and red. Straps of leather are nicely intertwined to make a pair of handles and to secure the lower part to the piece hide tighly pulled on top of the drum. Some cracking on its surface add up to its overall appeal. Wonderful patina. A great piece.   

A great doll from the Losso tribe inhabiting Togo on the west coast of Africa. This kind of dolls has a ritual role and girls called them Di Kori, literally, -sons of bone-. It is made of a piece of animal bone and it features some strands of glass beads most likely arranged by the girl's father according to long-followed traditions and beliefs. A superb piece of African ethnography.  

A great pair of Berber wood tie beams used to secure the loom. They are densely and beautifully decorated with carved motifs including a six pointed star and dates. This decoration is meant to protect the loom while it is being used as well as the weave itself. The loom whilst the weaving process in ongoing is considered by the Berber as a living creature exposed to evil influences so that it must be protected.   

A great old Berber high footed large wooden dish from Morocco. It is carved out from a single piece of wood, probably acacia. It shows a wonderful patina and the foot features carving marks that add up to its overall fantastic appeal. A great piece.

An appealing wooden headrest from Ethiopia. They are used as a sort of "pillows" in many places in Subsaharian Africa. They support the head during sleep, keep the ears from crawling unwelcome small insects and they even keep the hairdo style. Lovely patina and original shape.

A simply exquisite and stunning antique XVIIIth century silver and bronze Mughal water pipe or -hookah- from Kashmir. Whether you smoke or not this is a piece to admire and enjoy. The bronze and silver container for the water features a richful and detailed decoration that continues in the wooden pipe itself with elegant and superb appliqué bronze decoration. A very rare piece. Other names: -shisha-, -narguile-, -chillim-, -qalyan-.  

A superb antique silver Berber dagger or koummya from the Anti Atlas in Morocco. The koummya is the traditional dagger of the Berber of Morocco. This one has a wonderful silver and wood contoured handle, a curved double-edged blade and a very characteristic upturned scabbard tip. The scabbard and the silver in the handle shows a great and detailed engraving work. The scabbard also shows a series of repairs that evidence its age and how dear it was to his owner. A truly good piece.

An eye-catching Bamileke traditional feather hat or -juju-. It is worn in special occasions by chiefs and high-rank officers in areas of Cameroon as a symbol of status. Hundreds of bird feathers are painstakingly sewn onto a raffia or straw basket that then unfolds into a magnificent circle. It can be folded in on itself. This sort of hats have increasingly become very popular among home designers due to their powerful visual impact that leaves indifferent no one. Other names: -tyn-.

An original Sinalco Kola enamel advertisement sign from the 1970´s. Very lively and decorative.

A great Tabacs vintage enamel advertisement sign from Morocco. Elegant and we do really love its deep blue color.

A great Crush advertisement enamel sign from the 1960's. A lot of character and it has certainly seem some camels passing by.

A lively Judor advertisement enamel vintage sign from Morocco. Decorated in both sides. An energy boost at breakfast!!.

A great original Pepsi advertisement double face plaque one in arabic from the 1990´s. Enamel on metal plaque. Very decorative and very, very pop

An appealing wooden carved frame from the Valley of the Swat in Pakistan. Great carving workmanship. Extremely decorative and a piece with full oriental charm.

A fantastic vintage Coca-Cola enamel sign from Morocco. Give a twist to your home decoration.

A well weathered yet extremely attractive and full of character Crush advertisement enamel sign from the 1960's. For sure it does bring some memories. No, no, you are not old at all.

A great original Coca-Cola advertisement double face plaque one in arabic from the 1990´s. Screen painting on metal plaque. Very decorative and, besides, It is the spark of life!.

An original Coca-Cola advertisement plaque in arabic from the 1970´s. Screen painting on metal plaque. A very decorative item that will certainly give that touch your kitchen is missing and you were desperately looking forward.

The art of the ancient kingdoms of Benin and Ife, in what is now Nigeria, have puzzled scholars from their discovery some six centuries ago. They show a degree of dexterity, virtuosity and naturalism that is truly awesome. Their human figures and heads usually represent an Oni or royal person. The Oni was a descendant of Odudua, the maker of the world. The Oni was divine and never appeared in public without a beaded veil. This is a wonderful example. Please enjoy, for example, the wonderful hair. Age unknown. 1:1 scale.

The remarkable bronzes of the kingdoms of Benin and Ife, in what is now Nigeria, have stunned art scholars from their discovery some six centuries ago. They show an awesome degree of dexterity and virtuosity in the making and their naturalistic depiction of humans is simply imposing. These heads are made by the lost wax technique and usually represent an Oni or royal person. The Oni was a descendant of Odudua, the maker of the world. The Oni was divine and never appeared in public without a beaded veil. This is a wonderful example. Please enjoy it and note, among other, the scarifications on the forehead. Age unknown. 1:1 scale.