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.

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Surrealism and tribal in tandem

27 August 2024

Themed exhibitions at this year’s Parcours des Mondes link ethnographic art with Surrealist movement

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Join the club for tribal art fans

08 July 2024

Late last year auctioneer and valuer Mark Huddleston received three images of a chief’s staff or pole club along with an ‘is this worth anything’ enquiry. The vendor had inherited it from his family who (by repute) had done Presbyterian missionary work in Polynesia in the 19th century.

Austral Islands ceremonial kava ladle

Pick of the week: The scoop on an Austral Islands kava ladle found in Derbyshire

22 April 2024

A Polynesian ladle surfaced in a Derbyshire saleroom, selling for nearly five-times its £500-700 estimate.

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Five questions with tribal art specialist Ian Shaw

22 April 2024

Ian Shaw is a specialist in tribal art and his recent projects include enhancing the gallery room of his Glasgow premises.

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Tribal fair unveils its online version

15 April 2024

An early 20th century carving by Lagos pastor and artist Thomas Ona of a district commissioner is among the works available at this month’s Tribal Art Fair online.

Fang reliquary head

New benchmark for tribal art as Fang head makes €12.6m at Christie’s

14 March 2024

A new record for African or Oceanic tribal art was set at Christie’s in Paris as part of the sale of the remarkable Barbier-Mueller collection.

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Tribal mask with mystery purpose

26 February 2024

Cologne auction house Lempertz (25% buyer’s premium) opened its auction year with a sale of African and Oceanic works of art in Brussels.

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Paris sale celebrates tribal art from the Barbier-Mueller collecting dynasty

19 February 2024

The Barbier-Mueller family is well known as a collecting dynasty, especially for its ethnographic art.

Tribal art

Plea to recover huge collection of stolen tribal art

14 February 2024

Around 50 works of tribal art have been stolen in Belgium.

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Native American mask makes 140 times the top guide

05 February 2024

A 19th century Native American wolf mask, once used in religious ceremonies on the Northwest coast, emerged from the obscurity of a £50-100 estimate to bring £14,000 at auction in Hertfordshire.

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Dealer Bruce Knight’s personal collecting taste was a cut above

05 February 2024

An 18th century Native American trade axe pipe linked to the great Shawnee chief and warrior Tecumseh (1768-1813) was the runaway performer when the collection of Ohio dealer and entrepreneur Bruce Knight was dispersed in the first days of the New Year.

Wolf mask

Rare Northwest coast shamanic mask prompts tribal gathering in Royston

25 January 2024

A 19th century Native American wolf mask, once used in religious ceremonies on the Northwest coast, emerged from the obscurity of a £50-100 estimate to bring £14,000 at auction in Hertfordshire.

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Figure that escaped destruction after use

08 January 2024

Malagan figures played an integral and complex role in the rituals of the tribes of New Ireland, the north-eastern province of Papua New Guinea.

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Cloves boat comes into view at Tribal Art Fair Amsterdam

16 October 2023

A boat modelled out of cloves created in the Moluccan islands of Indonesia is among the highlights at 'Tribal Art Fair Amsterdam'.

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Bear mask entranced medicine men

25 September 2023

Items from the Robert and Nancy Nooter collection of ethnographic art come for sale at Ararity Auctions in Lorton, Virginia, on October 1.

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Shell out for ornamental combs

18 September 2023

Massive ornamental hair combs such as this are associated with the East Sumbanese people of modern Indonesia.

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Battersea Decorative fair runs with a new tribal twist

18 September 2023

The Decorative Fair returns from October 3-8 for its third and final staging of the year.

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Young dealers given chance to shine at the Parcours des Mondes

28 August 2023

Latest edition of the tribal art event in Paris now includes a special showcase for six new faces

The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair

Tribal art finds home at Battersea Decorative

10 July 2023

Tribal Art London (TAL) is to take place in person this autumn thanks to the organisers of The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair stepping in with a venue.

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You’ve got the hook: Maori jewellery

10 July 2023

The best-known type of Maori jewellery is the pounamu (greenstone) hei tiki pendants, the figural carvings representing ‘the first man’ that were typically worn by women.

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