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.

img_31-2.jpg

Pioneering dealer Leloup’s collection up for sale at Sotheby's

12 June 2023

Sotheby’s is to offer the private collection of Hélène Leloup (b.1927), one of the major pioneering dealers in African and Oceanic Art.

img_50-1.jpg

Australian cricketer bowls in and tribal art drums up support

05 June 2023

The Abacus sale on June 28-30 in Melbourne will feature an eclectic mix of material.

img_20-1.jpg

South American funerary urn stands-out as private collections galore come to Essex auction

17 April 2023

Among the highlights of Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) latest Fine Interiors sale was a remarkable anthropomorphic funerary urn from Ecuador.

img_32-4.jpg

Virtual tribal gathering: The Tribal Art Fair Online returns this month

10 April 2023

One of the most striking items on offer at 'The Tribal Art Fair Online' this month is a hammered brass ‘ogba’ anklet.

img_38-5.jpg

It’s auction No 100 at ethnographica specialist saleroom

27 March 2023

Zemanek-Münster in Würzburg is holding its 100th auction on April 15 and has taken in some impressive pieces for the landmark

img_39-1.jpg

Celebrity lawyer collection brings fame and fortune

20 March 2023

The new season got off to an encouraging start for Cologne auction house Lempertz (26% buyer’s premium) when it held an African and Oceanic art sale on February 1 in Brussels

img_36-1.jpg

Dealer news in brief including a sell-out collection of African and Oceanic art

23 January 2023

A summary of news and events from around the trade

img_12-1.jpg

Tangible rewards in tough times

14 November 2022

UK auctioneer hails successful sale offering attractive investments to buyers worldwide

img_30-1.jpg

Twenty years of tribal art

24 October 2022

An Abelam hornbill sculpture from Papua New Guinea is among the highlights at the Tribal Art Fair in Amsterdam.

img_34-1.jpg

Timing tricky but tribal art sales still strong

03 October 2022

David MalÍk made his appearance at Tribal Art London (TAL) worthwhile through the sale of two African sculptures: a Luba female figure and a Chokwe sculpture.

img_38-5.jpg

London tribal art event back as physical edition

29 August 2022

Tribal Art London returns as an in-person event this year with a roster of more than 20 international exhibitors.

img_38-1.jpg

Tribal art: Worlds of opportunity in Paris

29 August 2022

International array of visitors will be strolling the streets during the Parcours des Mondes to peruse and buy tribal art

img_39-1.jpg

Shield buyer parries rival bidders

29 August 2022

Aboriginal shields come in two basic types: broad shields used for deflecting projectiles and the narrow, compact parrying shields used in close contact fighting.

img_39-2.jpg

Join the Oceanic collecting club

29 August 2022

A selection of Oceanic hardwood clubs and shields has come for sale at Sworders in Essex on November 9-10 as part of the auction of objects from the collection of dealer Jan Ellen Finch (1952-2021) of Finch & Co.

img_39-4.jpg

Vast tribal art collection offered after taking three days to remove from Victorian home

29 August 2022

The Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas sale at Woolley & Wallis on September 21 includes 270 lots from the collection of tribal and pre-Columbian art assembled by Romy Rey of Richmond, Surrey.

img_11-4.jpg

Fresh wave of demand on the cards

08 August 2022

Overseas interest in tribal art and Doulton Lambeth wares fuelled the higher prices at Cuttlestones’ (20% buyer’s premium) Penkridge sale but it was a new outbreak of cardomania which raised temperatures of collectors across England.

Fijian whale ivory hook carving

Pick of the week: Buyer hooked by Fijian whale ivory rarity

16 May 2022

Sperm whale teeth, acquired from mammals that had beached on local reefs, had a deep significance to Fijian society.

Navigational chart

Pick of the week: Taking note of current affairs

09 May 2022

Among the most extraordinary of all navigational charts are the lattice ‘stick maps’ used by Marshall Islanders.

img_29-3.jpg

Seven-foot pole club stretches well beyond estimate to £38,000

25 April 2022

Carved from the heart of the toa or ironwood tree, long pole clubs with scalloped blades (akatara) are associated with Rarotonga and Atiu on the Cook Islands.

img_1-2.jpg

Museums target Cook discoveries at Sloane Street Auctions

18 April 2022

A previously unrecorded family archive relating to Richard Grindall (1751-1820), an able seaman aboard Cook’s Second Voyage, surfaced for sale in London last week with spectacular results.

Categories

News