Ethnographica & Tribal Art
This category comprises artefacts and works of art made by indigenous peoples.
It began as a collecting area when anthropologists began acquiring and studying these items in the 19th century. Nowadays works are valued for their craftsmanship and decorative quality as well as for their historical and social interest.
The geographical spread in this sector ranges from Oceanic (Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand), African, Native American and South American art. Pre-Columbian works represent a sought-after sector – art from the Americas dating from before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492.
Go native the modern way at Bonhams
23 August 2021Bonhams is holding a sale of Modern Native American Art in Los Angeles on August 30 that includes the collection of Canadian Inuit sculpture assembled by Wendy and Dr Les Fisher of Chicago.
Tribal art: Bank accounts open in Paris
23 August 2021The network of small streets in the left bank area of Saint Germain des Prés once again hosts a series of gallery exhibitions for the Parcours des Mondes.
Paris auction sets record for a tribal art collection result
12 July 2021The sale of Michel Périnet’s collection of tribal art at Christie’s in Paris on June 23 real ised a remarkable €66m/£57m (including buyer’s premium) and every one of the 61 lots were sold.
Tribal highlights: mask and figure at Woolley & Wallis
28 June 2021The best-performing lots in the tribal art sale at Woolley & Wallis (25% buyer’s premium) in Salisbury on June 8 were these two pieces: an Ibibio mask (idiok ekpo) sold at £30,000 and a Nicobar standing male figure (kareau) that brought £34,000.
Top-selling Nigerian mask stars in our pick of five auction highlights sold this week
11 June 2021ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a rare Ibibio mask from the Niger Delta that made over 35-times estimate in Salisbury.
The head masters from Africa
17 May 2021Exhibition at firm’s new premises focuses on headdress and headwear
Fijian bowl with rare form brings fervent interest at Lyon & Turnbull
17 May 2021This Fijian kava bowl, or daveniyaqona, carved in the form of a shallow figure, would have been used for both the consumption of kava (yaqona – the intoxicating liquor of the pepper plant) by priests during religious rites and to hold sacred oil.
Benin plaque withdrawn from auction after curator raises provenance questions
03 May 2021The increasingly contentious issue of selling Benin works of art at auction raised its head again last week after an ancestral plaque catalogued as 16th or 17th century was withdrawn from an East Sussex sale.
5 Questions: African Arts dealer David Malík
19 April 2021David Malík of David Malík African Arts has a primary interest in the field of Contemporary African art and the long-standing art traditions of western and central Africa.
Amsterdam tribal fair online, take two
12 April 2021This dance mask known as a takü, would have been used during rituals to mourn the dead by the Cubeo tribes of present-day Colombia and Brazil.
Ritual figure from Rapa Nui and sells in Germany
12 April 2021Tribal art specialist Zemanek-Münster will be holding a spring auction on April 24 in Würzburg.
5 Questions: tribal art dealer and fair organiser Finette Lemaire
12 April 2021Finette Lemaire specialises in tribal art and owns Galerie Lemaire in Amsterdam.
Tribal Art London reports increased numbers of online visitors
08 February 2021This Karamojong headrest from Uganda was one of more than 100 objects offered at Tribal Art London’s (TAL) online event, Spirit Animals. It was sold by tribal art specialist Kezhia Field for £450.
Two 'exceptional' tribal vessels sold on the same day at different sales
18 January 2021Two exceptional examples of ethnographic art – one from the north-west coast of America, the other for Polynesia – sold in the UK regions last month.
Unesco ad campaign on looted art has ‘intention to mislead’
07 December 2020A Unesco campaign aimed at increasing public awareness of looted art is threatening to backfire after it emerged the ‘stories’ told in its adverts were fabricated.
Tribal show gets into the spirit
07 December 2020Offered by Bryan Reeves of Tribal Gathering for £4200, this Luba baboon mask is one of more than 100 objects on offer at Tribal Art London’s third online event, Spirit Animals.
Amsterdam tribal art fair runs online with 21 dealers
26 October 2020The rare Ankwe terracotta figure is attributed to ceramicist Azume of Goemai, who died c.1951. Her figures were made for women and important locals, and two other examples – the only others known – currently reside in The British Museum.
Korean helmet and Tongan war club
05 October 2020Two lots from Tennants’ (20% buyer’s premium) sale in Leyburn on September 4. The 17th century Korean leather and steel helmet sold to a South Korean buyer for £4800.
War club to be brandished in North Yorks
31 August 2020This 4ft (1.2m) long Tongan Aku-Tau ironwood war club will feature in a sale of Militaria and Ethnographica to be held by Tennants in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, on September 4.
Oceanic objects surface in trio of British salerooms
31 August 2020Pictured below are three lots of Oceanic art that proved to be in much demand during UK sales held in August.
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