African Artworks' Collection:

The work in this site is from several collectors and represent only a selection of works collected from 1986 to 2003.

Understanding African Carvings:

To understand the value of contemporary African carvings, we encourage encourage to visit Newark Musuem. African Carvings are part of the african art aesthetics, see here

Nigerian Wood Carvers: One of the most talented wood carvers of his generation is Lamidi Olanade Fakeye. His work exemplifies his Yoruba traditional carving heritage. Fakeye's work is part of the permanent collection of such institutions as the Smithsonian's Museum of African Art, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Northwestern University, the Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh, Hope College, and Kalamazoo College. Fakeye influenced African-American sculptor, Claude Lockhart Clark. Another carver influenced by Fakeye is Sokari Douglas Camp. For more information on Fakeye, see this site ot this one and information on Clark is here.

African Masks: The mask was used in Africa in feritility, initiation rites, religious or funeral celebrations, and also theatrical or comic performances. The purpose of the mask is to convey the essence and the powers of the spirits or ancestors it symbolizes. They are usually worn by adult men in secret societies - who are sworn to secrecy, are subject to constraints and taboos which protect them from the dangerous magic powers of these objects. Nigerian Masks are for its ceremonies, each ethnic group: the Yoruba, Benin and the Ibibio all use masks for their ceremonies.

Metal & Wood Mask

Ebony Mask

Light Wood Mask

Mask Set

Wood Panels: The town of Benin in Nigeria is famous for wood panel carving scenes like this. Originally, wood carvings were done for doors; now, because of tourism, this craft has been focused around small scenes and stories on a 12" x 12" panel.

Wood Panel 1

Wood Panel 2

Wood Panel 3

Wood Sculpture: Contemporary wood sculpture uses abstract form to carve shapes and forms. A good number of the sculpture depicts people and music, people performing pastoral activities like farming and carrying water. Another segment of the sculpture are animals - elephants and monkeys and birds are featured in a lot of Nigerian sculpture pieces.

Drummer (one)

Totem (one)

Wood Carving Pair

Woman & Child (one)

Elephant Set

Monkey Set