Rare Tiv Mami Wata Shrine Idol

A very rare carved wooden shrine idol to the Goddess Mami Wata, shown with serpents in her hands and climbing up her back, a slightly upward gaze and an obviously well weathered and eroded surface sug

This mask is quite an uncommon example from the festivals/ masquerades of the Tiv people, Nigeria, Africa. Carved wood with a highly stylized human face, accented with a bright paint and with the addi

A carved wooden effigy with highly stylized facial features and form, and most interesting is an area where it is likely a wooden phallus was once attached. Tiv or related ethnic group, Nigeria, West

A carved wooden shrine idol of the Water Goddess Mami Wata (Mother Water) with multiple arms and three heads looking in all directions which represents the omnipotent power of the beloved Goddess who

Fine African Ewe Mami Wata Shrine Figure, Togo, early/mid 20th C. Carved wood and pigment. Provenance: Ford Wheeler, NY; Private Collection, NY. Size: 11'' x 13'' x 17.5'' (28 x 33 x 44 cm).

Carved from a single piece of heavy dense wood and embellished with a kaolin clay natural pigment. This is a powerful and dramatic shrine idol from the Urhobo or The Isoko who reside in the southeast

A tall carved wooden shrine idol with highly stylized form and encrusted surface suggesting ritual use. The abstraction is so extensive that the body is reduced to a cylindrical trunk. This type of ob

A charming carved wooden seated male effigy with large eyes, hands held in front of the bent knees and a heavy kaolin clay surface which appears to have a sacrificial patina, perhaps serving as a shri

A very rare and fascinating old female shrine idol with a classic heart shaped face accented kaolin clay and a whimsical pose to her arms. The bottom of the torso evolves into a circular base form tha

A Fine carved wooden sculpture with highly stylized facial features and a undeniable well handled surface patina. Luba / Kalanga peoples, DRC/ Congo, Africa. Provenance: Ex Leonard Kahan Gallery, NY,

A carved wooden female image with highly stylized facial features and form. Likely used on a personal shrine as a medium to the world of ancestral spirits. Montol peoples, Nigeria, Africa. The sculptu

A tall carved wooden sculpture depicting a helmeted male figure standing atop a well weathered circular iron base. Most likely created as a protective idol for a home or shrine. The sculpture measures

A weathered old carved wooden fetish sculpture featuring a conjoined couple, Male and female with a powerful primitive and archaic presence. Tiv peoples, Nigeria, Africa. The figure measures 25.5 x 9

The Toma peoples of Guinea and Liberia border region are prolific mask carvers for their dance rituals, but do not carve many sculptures. This appears to be a female ancestral Shrine object with heavi

This is a very fine and rare Old Alusi Shrine idol figure from the Igbo peoples, Nigeria, Africa. A carved wooden figure with tall central crest, accented with a yellow mineral pigment , the face is n

A rare carved wooden shrine idol with stylized facial features, incised linear coiffure, the females hands are placed above the abdomen in a possible fertility pose, early to mid-20th c. Zigua peoples

A Rare carved wooden shrine idol with two faces and was carved in the fom of a human leg. There is likely some esoteric purpose as a magical aid. Lobi peoples, Burkina faso, Africa. The carving measur

A carved wooden female effigy with thick encrusted sacrificial surface patina that sweats in the sunlight, suggesting years of ritual applications or offerings. Such images of female ancestral spirits

A Fine and rare Ngbaka figure, Collected in DR Congo prior to 1975 by Dr. Kenneth Adelman, Former director USAID Zaire. The fetish has a reddish mineral pigment rubbed into the wood, which according t

This is an uncommon style of female Bateba Thil shrine idol, with two heads in janus form and a well handled surface patina. Lobi peoples, Burkina faso, West Africa. The idol measures 25.5 inches tall

A carved wooden male effigy with a striking face covered in offerings and with a sweating patina. The idols right arm has been worn away. Adan or Ewe peoples, Ghana, Africa. The Idol measures 10.25 in

A very rare set of two Male effigies, perhaps ancestor idols with a heavy kaolin clay painted surface and evidence of multiple layers of pigments suggesting ritual use over many years. Sculpture from

This is a very rare pair of carved wooden idols from the Ahka Hill tribes of Northern Thailand. This pair of wooden spirit figures were collected on the Thailand / Burmese border in 1992. They were ac

A carved wooden shrine idol with energetic facial expression and suggested sense of movement with the bent legs and arching back posture. The figure has large coffee bean style eyes as well as incised