Vintage pair of African tribal pottery heads. Second half of the 20th century. One head has had some old professional repairs. They both measure 9.5 inches tall by 6 inches wide and 5.5 inches deep and are mounted on custom wood stands that measure 6 inches square by 3 inches high. Total height of the mounted heads is 12 inches.

Vintage African tribal ceremonial spoon circa 1950. Carved from single stock African hardwood. Lovely old patina. Measures 24" long x 4.75" wide x 2" deep.

Vintage Guro tribal Mask, Ivory Coast Africa c1950 with traces of pigment, helment on head and facial scarification. Measures 12 inches high by 4.25 inches wide and 3.5 inches deep. Excellent condition. Masks carved from an African hardwoods like this one are the most desirable. The Guro tribe (also called Guru or Kweni) inhabit Baoule in the Ivory Coast, and are among the most prolific of African artists. 1906 marked a turning point in Guro civilization. Up to that point they had been protected from colonization by the dense forests which inhibited European encroachment. But in 1906 the French began to overcome these obstacles. The Guro reacted by becoming more nomadic. Living off the land and staying on the move, the Guro were able to evade complete domination briefly; but ultimately in 1912 they were colonized by the French. Since that time the Guro have turned to subsistence farming. Guro villages are not lead by a chief. A distinguished village elder may be designated to mediate disputes and serve as liaison to neighboring tribes; but that elder will lack the authoritarian powers of a true chief. Bio obtained from Genuine Africa

Mexican black ware pottery storage jar decorated with human heads and serpents. From an old Connecticut collection. Measures 7.5 inches high, 5.75 inches across top, and 8 inches wide. Very good condition.

This head is Kiganda. This is tricky: the tribe is Buganda; their name for people and things is Kiganda; an individual is a Muganda; and their language is Luganda. One can understand why they are now simply referred to as Ganda. The Ganda are the most important ethnic group in Uganda (a country in East Africa). The head is of mvuli wood but it is not a traditional carving. We would hesitate to call it a Ganda head although it was certainly made by someone from Uganda probably around 1950 or so. The head measures 7 and one half inches high by 5 and one half inches long by 2 and three quarter inches wide.