can anyone id? He was told it was Nigeria but he saw a tv programme with a similiar sculpture which wasn’t Nigerian. Thanks a lot in advance!

Hello! I lived in Ghana (Aburi, to be exact) in the mid 80s and I purchased a watercolor which I've had since 1986. It's a scene of Lake Bosumtwi and is signed by the artist Emmanuel Owusu-Dartey. I recently realized that Mr Owusu Dartey (who passed a few years ago) has become quite famous and recognized as part of the Akwapim 6, a group of fine arts painters established in the 60s, and his paintings have become quite valuable. I would love to have the painting appraised, as I am interested in selling it and I see his paintings are going for a fair amount of money. any recommendations are appreciated! (BTW I live in the Washington DC area)

https://preview.redd.it/s591dxam8ppc1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ef21d54f91fef6077b7d675c0f8508d6e90a0c0e

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https://preview.redd.it/dp8snqmgkbpc1.jpg?width=1667&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=271f1382691434226a9123c605ee45a55b21ae79

https://preview.redd.it/num39tmgkbpc1.jpg?width=2513&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a5d469d6035635a1301645f1ccc6d20f1353be5c

https://preview.redd.it/ijuf0wmgkbpc1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2b780d4cffadab9b087ed38aa6fe9580e5040bcc

Hello, i am looking for an artist that created a picture of a woman’s head completely made with little newspaper snippets. It’s in black and white and a little 3 dimensional.

I saw the piece years ago and want to find out the artists name. Unfortunately I don’t have any more information. It’s not a lot but maybe someone has heard of it.

Thanks a lot ❤️

Need help with identity and value of this sculpture. It is some type of forged metal. About 7” tall and pretty heavy for the size. I have 6 different ones. My mother acquired them over 30 years ago. Appreciate any help.

Wondering about this great mask I found in a park in Southwark, London. Looks kind of adolescent - maybe used for an initiation ceremony?

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https://preview.redd.it/kfyrf4xjjxnc1.jpg?width=3648&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=68774d8f8150804a8a8d8ee42e799dd51bdc709f

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https://imgur.com/a/OZnWUK1

I'm getting a little frustrated that this is the answer to 90% of posts here. Yes many of these are tourist pieces, but these things don't just come from nowhere.

There is a clear inspiration behind these masks and sculptures. They're very clearly recreating SOMETHING, and it's that SOMETHING that we want to know more about.

If someone bought an eiffel tower knick-knack from a Paris gift shop, and had no idea what it was, would you just tell them "it's just a tourist item" or would you tell them what the eiffel tower is, it's history, and why it's significant enough to sell recreations at gift shops?

So please, even if it's just a tourist item, don't be so dismissive of African culture and it's people. Elaborate on what the piece is a recreation of, what was it's significance to it's people was/Once was, and if you don't know, then just say that and inquisit on possible leads or avenues to dig deeper so we can learn together.

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Africa is a rich culture and I love the colorful garments African women tend to wear in the Safari. I painted this Safari scene as a celebration of Africa Safari Women.

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https://preview.redd.it/fivtyom11ulc1.jpg?width=1527&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=68c9c68b448279d38b2d363a9ec0c1ae2a9f9ff4

I'm working on identifying this Spear for my university's Anthropology department, but I'm having a very hard time finding any information. The university had the spear labeled as "East African Spear" and after some research I'm very certain that it is not East African, I have found 3 other spears like this online (after about 1 month of looking). And they each claim to be from a different area, one from the Peabody Harvard museum is claimed to be a "Liberian Chief's Spear", another I found claims to be a "Hausa Hunting Spear" from Ghana, and the last one is called a "Hunting Spear" from the Congo. Each of them date from around the 1960s-1970s time period. Two of the spears I have found are from museum collections, and the other is on an African art resale website.

I just want to know a bit more about it, if it was ceremonial, decorative, tourist art, or actually used as a hunting tool. If anyone knows anything about the relative culture group, region, or use of this spear, please feel free to let me know.

I have inherited a large collection of African items including masks, spoons, spears and a vast range of other items. I am willing to pay someone who really knows how to both identify and provide an estimated value. Feel free to PM me. Thanks!

Picked up this beauty. Some of the beast beadwork I have had the pleasure of owning.

My granddad had this 3D wood art in his possession which he bought in Gambia a long time ago. Unfortunately, he recently passed and this beautiful piece has landed in my possession. The art is solid wood and has no markings or signings of any sort anywhere.

It seems to depict a scene from a Savannah with elephants around a stream.

Can anyone give me anymore information about it and it’s origins, I’d be really interested to learn more.

Thanks everyone

My step-father was told it’s West African?

Do you know the history or the origins of this mask? I'm assuming it's an African Mask. Any information would be appreciated.

https://preview.redd.it/1ttkwb9fsckc1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=ebb464dca34c77e50e7cf0b611d3fe1ea34f3c93

The Baule Kpwan Mask, an anthropomorphic effigy with striking geometric and animal features, portrays a face that blurs gender lines. Adorned with a goatee beard suggesting hermaphroditic traits, this mask stands uniquely in stark contrast to traditional Baule masks like the glin and kplekple. Worn at an angle with a bit grasped between the teeth, the Kpwan exudes noble serenity through contemplative facial features and refined symmetry. Its design marries fantasy and precision, shunning mere geometric outlines for anatomical details that evoke tranquility and balance. The oval-shaped mask, meticulously crafted with flowing lines and intricate hair details, emanates a timeless sense of stillness and grace. Echoing the face of Baule statuettes, the Kpwan is often embellished with jewels and hair styled in a traditional pageboy coiffure. Eschewing dramatic emotions, this mask radiates composure as a symbol of inner peace amidst worldly chaos. The masquerader wears costume worn (to accompany the Baule Kpwan mask) which consists of dry fibers hanging down to the waist, with additional fibers attached to the hips and arms reaching down to the feet and wrists. The dancer does not have the accompanying sounds of a buffalo horn but is instead surrounded by goli toa, the sounds of large calabashes covered with a net adorned with numerous jangling cowries. The masquerader who is chosen must be highly skilled and possess a tall, slim physique suitable for wearing the mask. Their back is draped with leopard skin (kangali), which symbolizes power and prestige in Baule culture, and thus holds more significance than the antelope, which was its natural prey, and is used on other masks.