A Yaka Diviners Ritual Drum Ex Banks Collection

A carved wooden slit drum with finely rendered ancestor face on top and a well handled surface. Yaka peoples, DRC/ Congo, central Africa. The drum measures 17 x 3 inches. Provenance: Ex Robert Banks c

A carved wooden female effigy with a janus style head and well handled surface patina. The female in kneeling pose possibly suggests a devotee to a diviners cult and the spirit world , always present,

A carved wooden ceremonial mask painted with kaolin clay and organic pigments was likely used in rituals of the Bwiti Cult. The mask is eroded and weathered, yet what remains is a striking example. Th

A tall carved wooden "slit" drum used by village diviner to play repetitive drum beats to enter a trance like state and perform divination rituals. This drum has an undeniable well handled surface pat

A very rare carved stone shrine mask used by a diviner in ritual ceremonies. The mask resembles the masks of the Bwami society. The mask measures 11 x 7 inches, 14.5 inches tall on custom display stan

A very finely carved male and female couple, likely used as a Diviners pair, vessels for the spirits during ritual and placed on a shrine to act as a medium to the spirit world. The pair are well carv

A diminutive carved wooden mask with weathered and encrusted surface indicating ritual use. Such a mask was not worn, it was used as a medium to the spirit world and was kept in a ceremonial container

A very finely carved wooden mask with reddish organic pigments and adorned with woven grass headdress and embellished with beads. Chokwe Peoples, Angola, Africa. The mask measures 10 x 8 inches ( 16 i

An elegant and refined example of a male effigy with hands to the chest, incised beard, pouty mouth and deep well handled surface patina. The Sculpture was reportedly once offered at Sothebys London,

A carved wooden bateba Thil with extended arms and unusual treatment to the overall form. Lobi peoples, Burkina faso, West Africa. The Figure measures 24 x 14 inches. Provenance: The Robert Banks coll

A weathered old carved wooden set or couple with well handled and worn surface patina and a wonderful abstract and stylized form. The Losso people live in Ghana and claim to be descendants of the Moss

A Tall carved wooden shrine idol known as Iagalagana, some were used as oracles, others in connection with healing, and still others reinforced the status of important elders as embodiments of vaguely

A Handsome and well carved male sculpture from a dark wood with well handled, well polished surface , finely crafted and twisted beard, red mineral accenting the coiffure with a traditional pose on sc

A large carved wooden parade mask with highly exaggerated facial features, black and white pigments , raised scar designs and evidence of field use as a ceremonial mask. Igbo or possibly Idoma peoples

A very finely carved wooden mask with circular designs and a wonderful stylized form. lega peoples, Bwami society, DRC/ Congo, Africa. The mask measures 8 x 4.5 inches ( 11.75 inches on custom display

A Tall carved wooden panel with 3 ancestor type heads on top and several mirrors embedded into the panel and decorated with ornate designs. Note the handle on the back. The panel measures 27 inches ta

A carved wooden zoomorphic mask of a Ngulu or Pig with textile adornment and embellished with Copper earrings. The Chokwe animal masquerades, which date back to the colonial period, are performed to d

A carved wooden female idol with an unusual treatment to the face and head, finely carved coiffure, raised scar designs. Baule peoples, Ivory Coast, West Africa. The sculpture measures 17.5 x 3.5 inch

A finely carved wooden miniature mask with dramatic facial carving and style, embellished with red mineral pigments and woven grass rope. The Mask measures 7.75 inches tall ( 13.5 inches tall on profe

A Tall and elaborate carved wooden helmet mask with stylized leopards, ancestors and large mirror on top. Igbo peoples, Nigeria, West Africa. The mask measures 24 inches tall. A metal display stand ca

A Tall slender cylindrical carved fetish with highly stylized features and well handled surface patina, on iron spike. According to literature , among the Wurkun ( or Junkun) if a member of the tribe

A primitive carved wooden shrine idol with stylized form, incised facial features, central crest and traditional zig-zag legs. Such sculptures were considered healing fetish idols known as a "Lagalaga

A Fine Old carved wooden adze or axe handle with lovely female ancestor face on the handle, and long steel blade inserted. Note the incised village images along the handle edges, along with a deep wel

A very finely carved wooden seated male sculpture with classic facial features and form, carved coiffure, raised scar designs and well handled and worn patina. Baule peoples, Ivory Coast, West Africa.