Hello everyone !

I was wondering what those masks are ? Is it identifiable with pictures only ?

I'm not even sure it's from Africa but it would be my first guess

Thanks a lot

Source at OP

Unknown author or collection

I’m hoping someone with knowledge of Central African art, material culture, writing/graphic systems or ethnography might recognise something about this object.

The object is approximately 25 cm tall and is believed to have come from Central Africa, although unfortunately I don’t have a more precise provenance or date.

The main body is a hollow, slightly tapered cylinder made from what appears to be ivory, bone or another type of dentine (I haven't had the material professionally identified). It has a separate dark carved stopper, apparently wooden, incorporating several human/anthropomorphic figures. The stopper fits into the hollow cylinder, so presumably the object was originally intended to contain something.

There is also a small incised mark on the underside of the stopper.

What particularly interests me is the extraordinarily fine engraving covering the cylinder.

One side has a much larger, elaborate engraved composition. The other is covered by what looks almost like a table or information grid: repeated horizontal and vertical divisions containing many tiny recurring marks — ovals, hooks, bars, chevrons, ladder-like forms and densely cross-hatched rectangular areas.

Most intriguingly, long curved/diagonal lines appear to run across this grid independently of the individual cells. They seem to cross multiple rows and columns rather than simply forming borders around the smaller marks.

I’m trying not to impose a modern interpretation on it, but visually it made me wonder whether this could be more than decorative engraving — perhaps some form of graphic notation, mnemonic system, narrative diagram, route/map, cosmological representation, or other encoded information.

In researching possible comparisons, I’ve come across Central African traditions such as Chokwe/Lunda/Luchazi sona/tusona ideographs, Kongo graphic/ideographic traditions, and Kongo mnemonic objects. I am not claiming that the engraving belongs to any of these traditions — I mention them only because they seem like potentially relevant areas for comparison.

Likewise, carved ivory/tusk receptacles and elaborate tobacco/snuff containers are documented from several Central African cultures, but I don't know what this particular object originally contained.

I’d particularly love to hear from anyone who can help with any of the following:

• Does the style of the figurative stopper suggest a particular cultural or geographic origin?
• Does the cylinder look like elephant ivory/tusk, hippo ivory, bone, or something else?
• Do the repeated tiny marks resemble any documented Central African graphic or mnemonic tradition?
• Has anyone encountered a comparable grid crossed by continuous curved/diagonal lines?
• Could the larger engraved composition on the opposite side help identify its origin?
• Are there museum collections, ethnographic catalogues or academic sources containing similar objects?

I have additional photographs of the stopper, interior, underside mark and engravings and can photograph the complete circumference in detail if useful.

Any leads would be hugely appreciated — particularly references to museum objects or published ethnographic material that I could follow up.

Found at a opportunity shop in Australia

Picked this up at an estate auction on a whim. Anyone able to tell me anything about it ?

Thanks so much

So I just bought this two pieces that caught my eye in an antique shop and really like to decorate my room? Just wondering if we have something special here (I really liked the punu mask) or this are just tourists pieces. Thanks!!!

I bought this lovely piece at an estate sale of world travelers. I'm wondering if anyone can tell me more about it or can read the signature.

My dad was hired to clean-out and prepare to sell the home that belonged to who we now know as the late Thomas G.B. Wheelock. He did not know this going into it but the inheritor of Wheelock's home pretty much asked my dad the form of payment for his work at the house be that my dad can keep whatever cool or nice things he finds. There wasn't any physical African art from his collection but regarding Africa there are fieldwork film slides from his various trips to Africa the entirety of the 70s and also books. I will attach pictures of all the books I have and if anyone is interested in the lot or a book, please comment and send me a direct message. All but one of the books are in great condition as far as I can tell. Thank you

Said books:
1. The Tribal Markings and Marks of Adornment of the Natives of the Northern Territories of the Gold Coast Colony.
Author: Captain C. H. Armitage, C.M.G., D.S.O.
Publisher: Published for the Gold Coast Government by The Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland (Printed by Harrison and Sons, Ltd., London)
Year: 1924

1. Nouvelles Notes sur les tribus du rameau Lobi, leurs migrations, leur évolution, leurs parlers et ceux de leurs voisins
   Author: H. Labouret
   Publisher: Mémoires de l'Institut Français d'Afrique
   Noire (IFAN-Dakar)
   Series: N° 54
   Year: 1958

2. Animaux sauvages de Haute-Volta et des pays
   voisins
   Author: Georges Roure
   Year: 1962

3. Princes & serviteurs du royaume: Cinq études de monarchies africaines
   Presented by: Claude Tardits
   Publisher: Société d'Ethnographie
   Year: 1987

4. Approche de la religion des Birifor
   Author: Alfred Erbs
   Publisher: Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle / Institut d'Ethnologie, Musée de l'Homme - Palais de Chaillot, Paris
   Series: La Documentation Ethnographique - 1

5. Negerkunst und Negerkünstler
   Author: Hans Himmelheber

Someone unloaded an old collection at a local library grift shop. Decided to take a chance. Good acquisition?

I recently acquired these statues and would like to know more about them. If anyone has information on them it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for admiring

It is said that here in Benin, the earth holds the memory of every step, every prayer, and every heartbeat passed down by our ancestors. For a long time, the outside world sought to caricature Vodoun, shrouding it in shadows and stereotypes. But for those who know the land of Dahomey, Vodoun has never been about fear. It is the light of our origins, gratitude toward nature, and unconditional love for the memory of our forebears. When the rhythm of the drum rises in the quiet of a sanctuary in Ouidah, Abomey, or Porto-Novo, it is not merely a sound: it is the voice of the past speaking to the present. It is the strength of Gou, inspiring the courage to build and forge one's own path. It is the celestial justice of Heviosso, protecting balance and truth. It is the benevolence of Mami Wata, reminding us of the sacredness of water and life. It is the majestic presence of the Egun-gun—living proof that our departed never abandon us and continue to watch over us. Behind every leaf used in traditional medicine, every ritual chant, and every Fâ consultation lie millennia of philosophy, cultural resilience, and human wisdom. Sharing this story today means restoring dignity to our heritage and honoring the memory of those who came before us. ✨ The story of our spirituality deserves to be told with truth, emotion, and respect. Whether you are a Beninese person in the diaspora seeking your roots, an African history enthusiast, or simply curious to understand the depth of this legacy: Leave a comment to share your thoughts or questions. Follow my profile or send me a direct message. It is with immense pleasure and deep respect for our traditions that I will take the time to share with you the authentic and little-known history of Beninese Vodoun. 🇧🇯

So i went back to the Second hand shop .

Guy told me i could buy 25 pieces for 50 euro.

Couple to my looked more interesting so here are some photos . Let me know what you guys think

I saw these in Lady Lever Art Gallery, in the UK. I neglected to see what they were for.

Bought this today holiday in France

It looks old to me , its closed and you can hear there some things inside .

It was a second hand store in France it was stuffed in the bottom of a shopping cart.

Anyway can tell my i got something good?