Whether you’re a seasoned collector or, simply looking to add tribal touches to your décor, you will discover here a treasure trove of traditional art and artifacts from which to choose. The bulk of our collection was assembled over a period of 50 years, and reflects the combined aesthetic taste of the two principals behind Tribal20, who together have over 80 years of experience in the field.
We offer a diverse selection of 20th century artifacts, with a primary emphasis on tribal material from the continent of Africa. These traditional objects are true in form and style and are authentic as to their indigenous origins. We stand by the authenticity of the objects we’ve identified as having had indigenous use.
Additionally, we feature traditional tribal objects appreciated more for their fine craftsmanship and intrinsic sculptural beauty, rather than their antique value. Some of these would be considered ‘late’ pieces, as in the later part of the 20th century, but are still genuine artifacts; relative bargains compared to their earlier counterparts.
Others were made as copies of older traditional pieces for a growing market that started in Europe as early as the late 1800’s and continued well into the 20th century. These workshops were often comprised of seasoned carvers and their lineages and produced some great work, artistically speaking. This included innovations on earlier traditions and sometimes incorporating different stylistic features from neighboring tribes. We feel there is an understated market for this kind of material that deserves greater attention. We believe the objects we’ve selected are aesthetically pleasing and carry their own cultural and historical significance.
There are, in fact, well known examples of objects originating from early field collecting, that were featured in some of the earliest exhibitions, exhibition catalogs and books, yet were later identified as pieces made for the market, not indigenous use. The irony does not go unnoticed that these objects continue to sell for increasingly substantial amounts, as their pedigrees of provenance remained in tact, regardless as to a lack of genuine indigenous use.
We offer objects with provenance, objects collected in the field, and ones we’ve picked up here and there, with or without pedigree, as long we felt it was aesthetically pleasing, traditional in style, and worth what we’d have to sell if for. Enjoy perusing the site, and please, feel free to reach out if you’re looking for something in particular.