Collector's

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.

A great old fringed leather bag from the Tuareg sourced in Mali. Goatskin and pigments. Tuareg women are in charge of leatherworking. They soak the skins and remove the hair to then tan them with natural tannins and soften them with oil or butter. The colourful decoration uses natural dyes. This one would have been used to carry personal items by its owner. I would hang from the camel's saddle when travelling and from a pole at the tent. These pieces are also sometimes turned into pieces of decoration at the entrance of the tents or -jaimas-. Extremely decorative.

A superb old Yoruba or Tuareg medicine container or pouch from Burkina Faso. It is made of leather and cast bronze and further ornated with leather strap fringe. The lid on top slides up and down. It was used as a container to carry natural traditional oitments and medicines for personal use as well some other elements for ceremonial use. A great and rare ethnographic piece. 

A great and rare old hand Tuareg hoe or plow from Niger. It is made of forged bronze and it features a simple but most atractive incised and engraved decoration that was most likely meant to have a beneficial effect on the harvest to come. It was attached to a long wooden pole or stick as a handle. A great ethnic piece and an sculpture on its very own right.

A lovely old Tuareg craddle. It is made of wood, leather and reed. It is lavishly ornated with leather fringe and tassels as well as with typical Tuareg decoration meant to protect the newborn from evil. It would have been hung to keep the child out of reach of animals and to gently swing it. A wonderful piece of great ethnic value.

A wonderful old camel saddle -tarik- or -tamzak- from the Moroccan-Algerian border south of Jbel Bani. It has a wooden structure and it is fully covered in camel hide. It features great darns and painted decoration meant to protect the rider and his camel from evil and the treacherous spirits -djinn- that inhabit the desert. This type of saddle is only used by men. It is placed in front of the camel's hump. The rider's feet will rest on the curve of the animal's neck. Superbly worn.

A superb old Berber oil container or vessel made of camel hide. It comes from the Draâ Valley in the Anti-Atlas mountain range in Morocco. Includes a wooden cap and ladle. It shows a wonderful patina and a most appealing color. An outstanding ethnographic piece that has become extremely scarce. XIXth century.

A beautiful old silver perfume bottle or sprinkler from the region of Kashmir. It was filled with perfume or rose water and offered to guests on their arrival to refresh them in the best of Indian and Persian tradition. A superb embossing work and patina. Late XIXth century.