Male Figure in Forged Iron.

He is in good condition for being turn of the 19th century work from Africa. There is a small amount of rusting, but really is in excellent condition for it's age.

Dimensions 8 3/4"H 3 3/4"W 4 1/2" Deep

Price: $265   + Add to Cart

I came upon a collection of the most incredible items and some are being offered to the public for the first time. For the next five items, you will be looking at a stone surrounded with bronze. What information I have been able to acquire; the stone comes from the grave site of an important persons burial site. The bronze is cast over the stone into the form of a man or woman. These pieces represent the deceased, who was considered a very important person to the village. General agreement among dealers and collectors is these figures date from the middle 1800's. They might be earlier but I can't confirm this.

Please note that I have not been able to find any printed information on these next items. If you have any information I would appreciate the input for the Dogon Bronze-Stone Burial Figures.

Male Dogon Bronze-Stone Burial Figure

SKU #087710F

This figure is the largest of the thirteen pieces I acquired and is being offered to the public for the first time.

The male figure has his legs extending out in front of his body, legs are crossed at the ankles and hands are resting between his knees. The figure looks like it is sitting on a mat. A double zigzag design is on both sides of the chest and down the back of the figure. The head is wearing a hat and has a beard on his face.

This is a strong and commanding piece of art.

Sitting 6 3/4" high 1 1/4" wide  3 3/4" deep.

Price: $3,800

Male Dogon Bronze-Stone Burial Figure

SKU #087710

This male figure is sitting on his legs with his hands on his knees. A double zigzag design is on both sides of the chest and down the back of the figure. The head is wearing a hat and has a beard on his face.

Sitting 6 3/4" High 1 1/4" wide 3 3/4" Deep

Price: $3,500

Female Dogon Bronze-Stone Burial Figure

SKU #087710D

This figure is a female sitting on her legs in a kneeling position. Bronze hair is braided in the back and the female has very protruding lips. Of all the stones, this one is the roughest in the collection. One area has a small old chip or flake. 

Sitting 6 1/4" high 1 1/2" wide and 3" deep.

Price: $3,500

Male Dogon Bronze-Stone Burial Figure

SKU #087710C

This is a male sitting on his legs, which are twisted under his body. His knees are directly under his hands. He has a typical beard, but is not wearing a hat. There is a bronze double zigzag design surrounding the torso on the front and back of the figure.

Sitting 4 3/4" high by 1 1/8" wide by 2 1/2" deep.

Price: $3,000

Female Dogon Bronze-Stone Burial Figure

SKU #087710B

The female figure is sitting on her legs with her hands resting on her knees. The bronze surrounds both sides of the narrow chest, making this the part of the body form. The waving S design is the only decoration on this piece. Her hair has a slight design and a gathering of hair at the nape of the neck.

Sitting 4 3/4" high by 1 1/2" wide and 2 3/4" deep.

Price: $3,000

Male Dogon Bronze-Stone Funeral Figure

SKU #087710A

This figure is the only one in the collection that is made around a rounded stone. The male is sitting on his legs with his knees directly under his hands. He is wearing a hat and a vestment looking item. The vestment has zigzag design on the front and back as well as the hat. The beard is very life like and follows the line of the hat. 

Sitting 5" high 2 1/4" wide and 2 1/4" deep.

Price: $3,000

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Knives

SKU #0725007FFA3

This pair of knives came from the private collection of the late Moses Arch (The owner and founder of Folkway Records from 1948 to 1986).

Each knive has a figure on the handle. The first knife shows a young girl with very little jewelry, small tight breast, fancy hair duo and a strong posture. The forged knife blade has a faint design on both sides of the blade.

The second figure is of an older mature woman with status. Wearing large earrings, several necklaces and has sagging breast that come with age. Designs are etched in the hand forged blade as well.

Both knives have their own sheath of woven leather with a twisted leather cord to hang on a belt or sash. There is also a loop for going around the neck of the figures to keep them in their sheath so they will not be lost when worn. One of the pieces of leather is broken around the neck. The blades are not sharp but the tips of the knives are. Both knives come with their own custom stand for display.

This is a beautiful pair of knives showing the progression from youth to older age. This would make a good piece for your collection.

Dimensions:

They stand 8" high by 1" wide 1 1/2" and 1 1/8" deep.

Price: $2,400 + Add to Cart

I recently acquired a fabulous collection of African Bronzes from the middle of the 19th century (1800's). Because I am not as knowledgeable with bronzes, I hired an expert in the field to help identify them. The next four items are part of this collection. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Dogon, Mali African Bronze Figure

SKU #088010D

I was informed that this piece is from the the Dogon region of Mali, Africa. It is from the middle 19th century. The male body has an elephant head, thus a spiritual animal. The sitting figure has large eyes and a trunk extending down his chest. There is a small knob of a tail. The patina from years of being buried is really thick and well entrenched. It is a very nice piece.

Sitting 3 3/8" high by 1 7/8" wide and 1 1/4" deep.

Price: $2,000

Dogon, Mali African Burial Bronze Figure

SKU #088010C

This piece is from the the Dogon region of Mali, Africa. It is from the middle 19th century. The double face cat figure has a necklace around the neck. The necklace looks like a twisted rope. A good and solid patina cover this bronze from years of being buried.

Sitting 3 3/4" high x 1 1/2" wide and 1 1/2" deep.

Price: $2,000

Dogon, Mali African Burial Bronze Figure

SKU #088010B

This piece is also from the the Dogon region of Mali, Africa. The age is from middle 20th century. The figure is kneeling with the left hand across the body. The right hand is resting on the right knee. He is wearing a necklace that looks like a twisted rope, this same twisted rope design is also around the waist. A good and solid patina acquired over the years covers this small bronze.

Sitting 3 1/4" high by 1 1/2" wide and 1 1/2" deep.

Price: $2,000

Dogon, Mali African Bronze Ancestor Figure

SKU #088010A

This male figure is from the 19th century. He is sitting with his legs extended and crossed. Hand are folded in his lap. There are no decorations or jewelry on the figure, There is a twisted rope looking item around the waist. The entire bronze figure is encrusted with a thick green patina from years of being buried. The patina is fast to the metal and in excellent condition.

Sitting 1 3/4" high 1 1/2" wide and 2 1/2" deep.

Price: $2,500

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dogon King's Burial Bird Figures

SKU #0725099

This beautiful pair of Dogon burial birds are made of iron. I was told that they came from a Kings or Chief's burial mound which contained these birds. The blacksmith who made these birds paid attention to detail. There are feather designs along the wings and down the back of each bird. The body of each bird is heavy with the wings surrounding the body.

They have been buried for quite some time so there is flaking of the iron. I have cleaned out as much dirt as possible and cleaned with a cloth; a light waxing would not hurt. A base has been attached to each bird because they will not stand up by themselves.

The male is 15" high 12" long and 4 1/2" deep.

The female stands 8 1/2" high 12" long and 4 1/2" wide.

Price: $1,200

Bambara Mali African Currency

SKU #950534

You are looking at a pair of coiled snake currency pieces. Hand forged and wrought from domestic iron, these pieces of currency are very dramatic. The formed iron was originally a long double entwined snake but has been coiled into a ring. The pair of these make a very dramatic presentation for any display of African currency. Because of their age, there is some slight scaling or flaking of the iron. These pieces of currency are dated into the late 19th century to early 20th century.

Sitting 8" high and 9" wide

Price: $2,500 pair