A fine rare and old bird head example. 14.75" Height

A Bobo type bird mask of oustanding age and quality. From the Rosen collection, as pictured and exhibited herein this book. Height: 11". Width: 58". Book available online.

Antique, deep-colored surface, cross-legged, a little beauty with the remains of its original lime powder. 9.75" Height

Uncommon, a special & early carving from Kenya. Interesting earrings, ankle bracelets, etc; circa 1920's. 8.25" Height.

Particularly early, likely mid 19th century, a scarified crowned male, kneeling, holding a sacrificial vessel. This quite ancient figure, is adorned with green and red coloring. The natural wood with dark brown patina. 7.25" height. Modellos: Here, the start of some numerous rarities, small master carved teaching tool pieces, from numerous tribes, most all outstanding rarities which the Massachusetts Museum had a particular interest in, and built a fine and rare collection. This higher grade of items in the Massachusetts African Arts Museum put an emphasis on certain rarities, namely master carver's miniatures. These carved presentations of a type, in miniature, to be handed around and studied by the masters student body of carvers. The practice and generally only singular output placed these as rather coveted mementos within any tribal 'treasury' and more difficult to acquire. A good number, most from this collection come from African specialists in Belgium and France. In titles, where 'Modello' is written, some initial ones of these great miniature antique pieces, are offered here, most from prior museum and a few other sources.

Strong age, circa 1900. 7.25" heigth. Modellos: Here, the start of some numerous rarities, small master carved teaching tool pieces, from numerous tribes, most all outstanding rarities which the Massachusetts Museum had a particular interest in, and built a fine and rare collection. This higher grade of items in the Massachusetts African Arts Museum put an emphasis on certain rarities, namely master carver's miniatures. These carved presentations of a type, in miniature, to be handed around and studied by the masters student’s body of carvers. The practice and generally only singular output placed these as rather coveted momentos within any tribal 'treasury' and more difficult to acquire. A goodly number, most from this collection come from African specialists in Belgium and France. In titles, where 'Modello' is written, some initial ones of these great miniature antique pieces, are here offered, most from prior museum and a few other sources.

Of modest size, a world class, Mumuye figure. Very early, exceptional in every regard. 12" Height.

By a Master carver, mother and child. From previous Zaire, great age, definitelly 19th century, fine condition. 5.5" Height. Modellos: Here, the start of some numerous rarities, small master carved teaching tool pieces, from numerous tribes, most all outstanding rarities which the Massachusetts Museum had a particular interest in, and built a fine and rare collection. This higher grade of items in the Massachusetts African Arts Museum put an emphasis on certain rarities, namely master carver's miniatures. These carved presentations of a type, in miniature, to be handed around and studied by the masters student’s body of carvers. The practice and generally only singular output placed these as rather coveted momentos within any tribal 'treasury' and more difficult to acquire. A goodly number, most from this collection come from African specialists in Belgium and France. In titles, where 'Modello' is written, some initial ones of these great miniature antique pieces, are here offered, most from prior museum and a few other sources.

Antique, likely from Gabon. Deep rich natural color, its rear area with wood corrosion. Circa 1900. 12" Height

Ghana, probably from the Cameroon border area. With metal eyes and leather attachments, a tall and generous sized male, originally a surmount to a bone box or bundle. Well carved of dense and heavy wood, the museum had called it a power figure. 18.75" Height

At top, a female figure with legs wrapped around the horn of the mask. 19th century or earlier. 26.75" w/o stand. Raised arms in the archaic Tellem manner. This rare early mask from Mali has a custom iron stand.

Contradictory museum labels. A crisp carving with strong age. 18.5" Height

The face with kaolin, showing strong age. The surface well polished. 7.5" Height. Modellos: Here, the start of some numerous rarities, small master carved teaching tool pieces, from numerous tribes, most all outstanding rarities which the Massachusetts Museum had a particular interest in, and built a fine and rare collection. This higher grade of items in the Massachusetts African Arts Museum put an emphasis on certain rarities, namely master carver's miniatures. These carved presentations of a type, in miniature, to be handed around and studied by the masters student’s body of carvers. The practice and generally only singular output placed these as rather coveted momentos within any tribal 'treasury' and more difficult to acquire. A goodly number, most from this collection come from African specialists in Belgium and France. In titles, where 'Modello' is written, some initial ones of these great miniature antique pieces, are here offered, most from prior museum and a few other sources.

Legitimate incrustation, ancient crack lines. Dense and heavy wood. 11" tall.

Old surface. Genderless abstract body with bead and fiber attachments. Strong age. 9" Height.

West Africa. Generous size. A particularly fine antique carving. All over crisp carving, dark patina. A crack on left side and through her right ear and head dress. 20" Height

Description coming. 17.75" Height

Animal horn, bronze studs, bead work and magic pouch. Front half of the feet and base missing. Real age, Congo. 18" Height

Extra Large 14" length, 10" width

South Africa. Natural earth colors and minor deteriorations on the surface. 20.75" Height, 9.25" Width.

New Guinea, probably Asmat. Original earth colorings, circa 1900. Woven attachments, a pierced nose and bold bird carving, nice untouched condition. 29.5 Height, 8.25 Length across.

Double-headed puppet figure with original metal attachments, Bambara, Mali. Circa 1900. 22" Height.

Western New Guinea, dense and heavy blackened wood with grass weavings. 16.5" Height.

A good male power figure,18th or early 19th century, with original animal horn and some left side deteriorations. Museum label. 18.75" Height.

Upper Sepik River, well into the 19th century. Obvious refreshing of much of the white lime in its intaglio carving. Dense and heavy wood with fine carving. 38" Height.

One of the 'pride of the museum', a classical rarity. A generous sized Chokwe warrior figure holding a flintlock long gun and horn in his massive hands. He stands with his high ranking helmet gear. Deep, dark and dense hardwood with a crisply carved face. 27.5" height.

Well carved. The smaller one appears to be sheathed in silver punch works. The larger, a silver metal, but probably aluminum, natural wool. Old 20th Century. 15.6" and 12.5" Height

An exceptional and particularly old (probably early 19th century) from Burkina Faso, with near full remains of its white kaolin surface. Carved of extremely heavy and dense light toned hardwood. With wear and breaks on her buttocks and front. Height 14.5".

Lega, former ZAire most likely. Small, as a child's or shoulder or belt mask type with much remaining of its white kaolin, it holds its attached grass woven raffia. Good age. 8" Height.

1920's or 1930's from Central Congo. A belt/shoulder or childs' mask with remains of its original kaolin. 9" Height.

Description coming. 13.5" Height, 6" Depth

A good old one with original earth tone coloring. The helmet super structure of woven basket work carved in worm like fabric coils, appears original to its conception (1880-1920). 12" Height.

18th or very early 19th century, South India, probably Rajhastani; among others, a museum purchase from Sotheby's London. A royal riding a wheeled elephant, complete with lime imbued surface. 7.5" Height.

One pigtail partially missing. A maternal mother with a child holding on her back. Ancient, from South Saharan Mali, likely 18th century. Museum purchase in 2004, for $3500 from Jembetat Gallery. Dense, aged and very hard wood. 18.5" Height

Tribal early 20th century. 18.5" Height.

Middle Sepik River, circa 1900. A scarce figural carving with old earth paints. 17" Height.

A classical tribal carving with strong age and likely more modern fiber work attachments. Dry natural and original surface. 11" Height.

A young female child surmount, hard and dense wood, original polished surface. Some old lplitting at the back of the top. 16" Height.

A good and well carved female example. Untouched old surface. Cracks front and rear and right side of the face. Turn of the last century. Uncommon larger size. 23" Height.

West Africa, probably Nigeria. Likely for a child. Tribal with good age. Eye and ear colorings later enhanced. 10" Height.

An antique classical standing couple in a form of a headrest. Untouched surface. Notations to Luba, Zaire. Strong natural age. 7" height, 7" length.Ex. Mass. Museum.

Description coming. 20.5" Height

Older 20th century. We believe this piece is probably tribal. Well-carved, elongated head, from a hard wood of medium density. A tight stress crack at central back. 16" height. Ex. Willie Postar collection, Massachusetts.

A particularly fine pair, of modest size with exceptionally crisp carving, untouched, an all original 19th century pair. She holding her child, he with curly status beard, both with original same body wraps. Tag below. 15" height. Ex. Mass. Museum

From Ghana, from the people of gold weight fame, a well defined river canoe with central warrior and two paddlers on original stand. Likely within the 19th C., of high copper content, deep natural colored bronze with dark patina. Untouched and rare. 10" length, 6.25" height.

Legitimately ancient, an older and strong example of this type. Unusual, up on its integral four-legged stand. Natural deteriorations, mostly on the female at back. An extremely dense and knarled hardwood. From the central high plateau region of Mali. 25.5" Height, 12" Length.

x. 26" Height

x. 26.5" Height

With true age, a particularly strong Luba fertility figure, kneeling and reaching back to support her young child. A sophisticated Congolese carving with original polish and crisp details. The dense and hard wood is very heavy, her coiffure regal size, one of very best of her type. Ex. Mass Musem. In fine condition. 18" Height.

From Tanzania, totally all original and untouched (needs light cleaning). A super nice one of rare size. Ex- Richard Ravenal, famed old time NY City Dealer. 20" height, 10" length.

Coastal Guinea, West Africa. A Great antique African piece. Extremely rare, we find two others. One in Collection in Museo Barbier-Mueller, Geneva. The other, in the Brooklyn Museum. Seven crouching male figures support the thick slightly domed seat. 17.5" Height, 15.5" Diameter.

Sensitive carving, natural untouched surface, early 20th century with engraved designs. 17.25" length

With an untouched natural surface, authentically early, 19th century. Of dense and heavy wood. 11.25" Height.

Early to mid 18th century, uncommon quality and size for a bamboo carving. A seated Buddhist sage or scholar. Fine condition with untouched surface. South China, Cantonese. 12" Height

Skillfully carved from an exotic black wood, Nepal or Tibet, a powerful and early rendition of an emaciated monk. Possibly 18th Century. 9.25" height.

Probably from Orissa, 100% complete with untouched surface, dates from 17 to 18th Century. Ex. Sotherbys. 7" Height.

Burma, early to mid 19th Century, lacquered and gilded carved wood. Nice condition, 9.5" & 9.75" in Height

19th, maybe very early 20th century, well cast and engraved peacock form. 4" Height

Original multi-toned earth colors. 15" Height. A well carved antique, probably 19th century to very early 20th century.

Southern Mali, an ancient carving, showing wear and stresses of time. 11" Height.

Mask is well-carved with original natural kaolin. Antique. In nice condition at 13.5" Height.

Very old with modest breaks on reverse, numerous coats of Kaolin. A Punu related tribe. Possibly Igbo. 10.5" Height

Gender defined, heavily scarified, protruding tongue. She supports her breasts. A dense and heavy wood with natural patina. Likely a tribal repair across the base of her left foot, cleanly reattached long ago. 16" height. Ex; Willie Postar collection.

From the Cross-River region, an area separating Cameroon and Nigeria. Old, likely 18th or 19thcentury. Natural untouched surface. A bronze with high brass content. Exceptional size, solid cast. 11.5" height, 15" length. Ex-Museum, Mass.

A rare and large West Mexico ruler class female. Crowned and seated, an identifiable personality with this extraordinary hump back. Intact coloring under earth and burial patina. Knobed shoulder protrusions . An unusual feather, an original patch down into the apron, not a repair. Extrodinay condition. The tab at the crown part is cleanly reattached. 16 inches high and ten inches wide. Museum example.

One of the best Mimbre Arizona 11th - 12th century. Black on white resist design. Extremely deep bowl a rare form . Restuck from all original parts. Two tiny slivers missing. 9.25" Diameter, 5.25" Height

Rare and unusual New Guinea Figural Carved Offering Stand. Impressive 37" tall. a male of obvious gender with black and red earth paints and original fiber work attached.

Complete and all original, multitude of bell attachments. Fine and crisp workmanship 17th-18th century. Ex Willy Postar collection. 15 inches long.

A symbol of rank a multi crafted and beaded mask form, with enamel work central boss. On a heavy leatherwork frame. Mostly natural beads of turquoise and coral. 20th century rare. 8 inches at its widest point and 9 inches tall.

Extensive and intricate weaving tecniques, including metal work and applied work. 18th - 19th century.

Description Coming

An exceptional metal mounted broad blade kriss with olive wood handle early to mid 19th century. Finely engraved. Ex Willy Postar collection. Kriss alone 15 inches in length.

A great early carved and painted wood Balinese dancer 18th century. Very fine condition with original paint. Custom stand. 21.5" high, 15" across. Custom stand.

Red burnish surface read painted w/ pieced feet. Perfect condition. 5" tall and 9.5" across.

Nice designs a modest part of the very top coil broken away on the rim. Never been touched or cleaned. Not brittle. 13 inches wide and 8 inches tall.

San fonso redware, old 20th century. Perfect condition. 10 inches tall and 9 and a half inches wide.

A scarce type blackware Peruvian spirit pot, relief molded and stick burnished. Standing warrior figure decorated. Nice symbolism added. The back with simple crossed florets Jaguar heads under the spouts, no restorations fine condition, large. 300-800 AD. About 9 inches tall.

A superior example to most excavated others. This crisply defined and surface carved vessel of the Bura-Asinda Culture. Dating from the 4th to 10th century AD and from the Lower Niger region, a fine form and in perfect condition. A bejeweled women's head, scarified body, prominent navel, the flaired out section with relief work of birds. Is as fine in every respect as any. 22 1/2 inches high. 7 1/2 inches at its widest point.

1st part 20th century. Old tribally used custom iron stand. The breasts also with blue surface under the fabric. Ex: Rosen Collection. As appears in The Colorful Sogodo Puppets of Mali. The exceptional book by Marry Sue and Paul Peter Rosen. This puppet has an exabihtion history in Philadelphia. The puppet alone is 26 inches but sits higher on a stand. Exceptional condition.

1st part of the 20th century. Old tribally used custom iron stand. Natural wood coloring. Ex: Rosen Collection. As appears in The Colorful Sogodo Puppets of Mali. The exceptional book by Marry Sue and Paul Peter Rosen. This puppet has an exabihtion history in Philadelphia. The puppet alone is 26 inches but sits higher on a stand. Exceptional condition.

From present day Niger and Burkina Faso. These carved gray of bluish shist stone are of the Bura-Asinda- Sikka group and date from the 11th the 14th century AD. Funerary idols very rare as a pair, apparently male and female. They were eventually buried over as grave markers. The graves under were found to contain both anthropomorphic and zoomorphic terracotta figures stone idols iron weapons and bronze jewelry. 13 1/2 inches high. Fine condition.

From the northern regions of the Bozo - Somono people. Often misunderstood, this pair holds up one end of a bed. Wood timber sits within the flanges at top. The timbers heading the other way were notched to lock together. So this is a pair of the original four and were instrumental in preventing or keeping any rodents off of sleeping. Profusely decorated, the thick bodies fully etched and engraved in complicated geometric designs. Both with a bite out of the top rim and base rim. 10 1/2 inches high.

Perhaps for a women or child, 19th century with deep dark untouched surface. Democratic Republic of Congo. Nice condition. 9 1/2 inches high.

All surface with original wood and metal attachments. Ex. Rosen collection. Good condition. 21 inches high.

An elaborate Songye fetish figure with two animal horn pertrusions. Leather fiber with brass work. Museum information attached. Cerca 1940s to 50s. Good condition. 23 inches to the horn.

Well carved dark untouched patina likely 19th century. Dense and heavy wood with normal wear. Good condition with museum info below. About 22 inches high.

Uncommon with moveable arms. 1900-1920s. 18 1/2 inches high.

An early male figure with crocodile head. The museum has it labeled as Senufo. Rich old unclean patina, well worn from use. 7 inches high.

Outstanding in all regards, the sophisicated carving ranks way up there among the types. Strong age, condition and near pious fidelity. A choice example. Circa 1890-1910. Superb condition. The dense and heavy wood with original polished surface. A small flake of wood out at the creast of the crown. Ex. Museum. 11.25" height.

Dark rich patina, cerca 1900 or before. Fine old untouched surface and condition. 11" Height.

From a Master carver, a rather wonderful little guy. Bearded, om a four-legged stool, he holds a war staff. Rich and stron in every regard. Fine condition. 8" height. Modellos: Here, the start of some numerous rarities, small master carved teaching tool pieces, from numerous tribes, most all outstanding rarities which the Massachusetts Museum had a particular interest in, and built a fine and rare collection. This higher grade of items in the Massachusetts African Arts Museum put an emphasis on certain rarities, namely master carver's miniatures. These carved presentations of a type, in miniature, to be handed around and studied by the masters student’s body of carvers. The practice and generally only singular output placed these as rather coveted momentos within any tribal 'treasury' and more difficult to acquire. A goodly number, most from this collection come from African specialists in Belgium and France. In titles, where 'Modello' is written, some initial ones of these great miniature antique pieces, are here offered, most from prior museum and a few other sources.

Likely cerca 1900. Well worn surface open mouth, it appears to be singing. Congo, formally Zaire. Museum info attached. 7 1/2 inches high. Modellos: Here, the start of some numerous rarities, small master carved teaching tool pieces, from numerous tribes, most all outstanding rarities which the Massachusetts Museum had a particular interest in, and built a fine and rare collection. This higher grade of items in the Massachusetts African Arts Museum put an emphasis on certain rarities, namely master carver's miniatures. These carved presentations of a type, in miniature, to be handed around and studied by the masters student’s body of carvers. The practice and generally only singular output placed these as rather coveted momentos within any tribal 'treasury' and more difficult to acquire. A goodly number, most from this collection come from African specialists in Belgium and France. In titles, where 'Modello' is written, some initial ones of these great miniature antique pieces, are here offered, most from prior museum and a few other sources.

Exremely dark, dense and heavy wood. This bold carving, particularly early and of 19th century. Ex. Willie Postar, New England. 10" Height

Apparently female fully scarified body, rich dark patina, natural surface. Tribal 1890-1900. New England Collection of Willy Postar. 14 inches high.

Old probably 19th century. The bearded and scarified elder. Likely Burkina Faso Mali. All natural patina. Ex New England collection Willy Postar. 10 inches high.

In fighting garb and stance. Crowned warrior helmet. Scarified all over. One of the outstanding pieces of the Postar collection. Beautiful condition and withdeep patina. 16 inches high.

Late 19th -1900. Oak base mounted. Natural dry surface untouched. Beaded necklace. Figure is 14 inches with the base it is an inch more.

Fabric lower skirt. Surface can stand polishing. Ex Postar collection New England. 11 1/2 inches tall.

From the 2nd to 8th century, an early Taino grinding pestle probably for maize or corn. Unmistakably phallic the stone a type of speckled granite. East central Dominican Republic coast. 4 1/2 inches long and 2 1/2 at its longest point.

Formative period probably Mexico. Pre-Omec. 300-400 BC. Leg sections missing, otherwise exceptional condition. 8 1/2 inches high.

Probably jade with fine coloring. Peru 200-600 AD Extra large, fine condition. Boxed. 3" Height, 2.5" across.

Mounted on custom iron stand. Exposed wood with obvious age. Woven wrapping of copper and beaten tin, The face of exceptional powerful design overall and an exceptional size. 22 inches high.

A medium large size, the black sea stone with polish surface. Pet carved features and voids. Nice condition with no modern polishing. 5 inches high and 7 inches across.

Mortuary this large ancient covered jar is just exceptional. A tight modest surface crack just above the foot rim. Otherwise mint condition and an untouched burial surface. About 8 inches high.

With hand potted draped modeling and two frog form heads. Natural burial surface with areas of white lime. A rare form in perfect condition. 800-1000 AD. 6 1/2 inches high. S.w. Puerto rico.

A large and boldly waisted vessel with rounded bottom and three knobbed feet. The cream and red in bold abstract design. Wonderful condition, an ancient shallow chip at the outside of the top rim and a few tight crack lines. Untouched burial surface. 400-600 AD Totihuacan, Mexico. 8 1/2 inches tall and about 6 inches wide on the top.

First phase 200BC-500AD carved with an owl type mask. Complete and untouched as excavated. 7 1/2 inches high.

Crowned and with a hooked nose. Likely from the southern regions, Asmat. A beauty perfect in every way. Two color weavings. Circuit 1900. Museum candidate. 17 inches high and 13 1/4 wide.

Relief carved old lizard skin top. White and dark brown earth tones. Fine condition all original. Circuit 1900. 25 inches high.

Southern areas of New Guinea circuit 1900. Ex Wolf Collection. Untouched original paint. 13 1/2 inches high.

Heart formed central section carved with two whistling zemi heads. A crack line along the lower portion and crackline just below the carving, above the phallic form nipple spout reapplied. 10.5" Height.

Antique 19th century, both ends carved with fierce zoomorphic humanoid heads. Dark natural surface patina very strong condition. Pacific islands. 30 inches long and 10 inches across.

Eyes inlaid with money shells, iron teeth. Iron necklace and girdle. This figure is 19th century and carved of incredibly dense and heavy wood. Untouched surface nice condition. Ex museum. 29 inches tall.

Particularly large of the type, an antique of strong age. This royal male, from the Ivory Coast is profusely carved with scarification. A coffure and beard denoting rankGender apparent, his elongated fingers clutch its belly. An ancient crack across its base. 32 inches tall. Ex Massachusetts museum.

Rare and classical "S" form noted in a few museums (Quai Branly and Louvre, Paris). Early 19th century. Bearded ect., many fine points. Original, untouched and in excellent condition. 70 inches high.

Exceptionally bold head, last half of the 19th century. With animal horn attachment. Natural deterioration on the back of the head and a split at the back of the base, otherwise fine condition. A powerful figure of dense and very heavy wood natural, untouched surface. Ex Massachusetts museum. 47 inches high.

Seated , this very old figure holds a child on both knees. One suckling, the other one is playing with her breast, and a third hugs onto her back. Likely Zaire, Central Congo. Very rich dark untouched patina. Ex Massachusetts museum (at very high cost). Tribal identifying tags missing. Superb condition. 27 inches high.

What's to say, extraordinary in every aspect. Including true early age carving and detail. A queen mother with a child on each knee. The queen mother holds her breast in maternal gesture. Exceptional condition size and intact. One of the world's finest. Ex Massachusetts museum. 53 inches high.

Mayan 500 to 800 AD. The painted and seated male had six musical holes. Nice original and all intact condition, including 90% of its red and brown earth tones over a cream slip. Excellent condition. 5 inches high and 4 across.

Exceptional, inlayed glass eyes, with mirrored belly. Much fetish material down the back spine. Identifiers from the museum missing. All original, including dark surface. Solid condition. Cerca 1900. 23 inches high.

A female type with remains of original white lime covering. Antique, likely about cerca 1900. Nice condition. Ghana. 12.5" Height.

An Antique uncommon Bena Lulua hand held dance mask. Congo early 20th century. 18" length.

Dan people's related. Last half of the 19th century. With original braided hemp work. 10" Height.

Deffering to the museum Gagon peoples, A horn bill mask. Particularly early probably 18th early 19th century. Leather remains and original metal eye covers. 14" Length

Burkino Faso. Strong age. Refer to description in the exhibition and page in the book shown here, which is available online. 59" Height.