Beaded crowns at Joss Graham. Photo: Courtesy David Godfrey Images.

LONDON.- The UK’s only non-Western art fair, Tribal Art London, opens its third annual staging at Mall Galleries, London SW1 this year, from 1 to 4 September. Devoted exclusively to showing fine and original purpose works of art from world cultures, Tribal Art London is now extended to five days, including an invitation-only Preview on 31 August. The Organisers are excited to welcome a number of important international galleries as new exhibitors. 

Highlights: 

• Marcuson & Hall (Brussels) – leading dealers with a particular area of interest in fibre works and textiles from Asia and Africa

Rwanda Turkish knotted sisal rug. © Marcuson & Hall.

Gourd and wirework Zulu snuff container. © Marcuson & Hall.

Tsonga headrest. © Marcuson & Hall.

• Raccanello Tribal Art (UK) - Marcus Raccanello has travelled extensively in New Zealand and Australia, The Cook Islands and sailed from Tahiti to the Tuamotu Islands. This has given him a particular interest in Polynesian culture and art. http://www.raccanellotribalart.com

19th Century Fijian Spearhead, Ex Wilborg Coll. SOLD. © Raccanello Tribal Art.

18th Century-19th Century Fijian Dromu, Ex  Wilborg collection. © Raccanello Tribal Art.

Coastal Ramu Mask, Ex Isabel Pert Collection. SOLD. © Raccanello Tribal Art.

• Ritual Gallery (Brussels) - Renaud Riley focuses on important African works, mainly figures and masks.

• Visser Gallery (Brussels) - a gallery of 40 years standing, Joris Visser has a special interest in Oceanic art and culture.

These additional dealers bring exhibitor numbers to 21, making 2016’s event the largest quality tribal art fair ever to be held in London featuring leading experts in ethnographic art from Oceania, the Americas, Africa and the East. A series of carefully-chosen lectures and talks will offer visitors deeper insight into world art and cultures. Subjects to be covered will include: Aboriginal art (coinciding with a specialist Sotheby’s sale in September), West African bronzes (in conjunction with a book launch) and (TBC) on the Art & History of Fiji, in advance of a major exhibition at Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich in October. 

The exhibitor roster also includes:  

• Siobhan Andreson (UK), with a particular interest in American Indian culture

Pair of Turkoman silver cuffs, five rows, glass inlay, Central Asia, Early 20th. Price £600. © Siobhan Andreson

Nandi bull, oil lamp, vessel? Ganga Jamuna, India 18th 19th or earlier. Price on request. © Siobhan Andreson

• Joss Graham, traditional textiles & costume from India, Central Asia, Tibet, North and West Africa, also paintings, wood and stone sculpture, ceramics, baskets and jewellery - http://www.jossgraham.com/

Beadwork crowns of the Yoruba, Nigeria, early 20th century. © Joss Graham

Beadwork crowns of the Yoruba, Nigeria, early 20th century. © Joss Graham

• Handbury Tribal Art, a young dealer with a fascination for tribal works from every culture 

• Owen Hargreaves & Jasmine Dahl, African art & objects with a practical & spiritual function - http://www.owenhargreaves.com/

Mambilla power object. © Owen Hargreaves & Jasmine Dahl

Gurunsi tribe Mask, 140cm. © Owen Hargreaves & Jasmine Dahl

Rare Lobi pair, 80cm. © Owen Hargreaves & Jasmine Dahl

Nyamwezi Tribe Tall Statue , 50cm © Owen Hargreaves & Jasmine Dahl

Guerre Tribe Mask, 45cm , £1480. © Owen Hargreaves & Jasmine Dahl

Samburu Tribe Shield. Ex UK Collection, 120cm, £1450. © Owen Hargreaves & Jasmine Dahl

Yaka Tribe Janus Fly Whisk, 50cm, £480. © Owen Hargreaves & Jasmine Dahl

• Kapil Jariwala Gallery, tribal and Oceanic, classical and Indian folk art http://kapiljariwala.com/ - kapiljari@gmail.com

A Dogon–Shangha Object, 19th century or earlier, Dogon or Shangha people, Mali. Traces of Pigment on carved wood, 32 cm height. Provenance: Lucas Ratton, Paris. © Kapil Jariwala Gallery

The Meditating Buddha, 18th century. Possibly Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam. Lacquer and traces of gold leaf on carved wood, 74 cm high. © Kapil Jariwala Gallery

An Asafo Fante Flag: Two Elephants (Mother and Child), c. 1890, Ghana. Appliqué cotton on cotton, 83.5 x 138.5 cm. © Kapil Jariwala Gallery

An Asafo Fante Flag: A Warrior, Early 20th century, Ghana, Appliqué cotton on cotton. 162cm x 78cm. © Kapil Jariwala Gallery

An Igbo-Afikpo Mask, Early 20th century. Igbo people, Nigeria. Carved wood , raffia and pigment. Provenance: private collection Brussels. Published: Art of Africa, Jacques Kerchache. Abrahams,1988 page 407. © Kapil Jariwala Gallery

A Dogon Well-Head Surround, Late 19TH century early 20TH century, Dogon people, Dwenza Region, Mali. Wood, 82.5 cm. Provenance: Private Belgian Collection © Kapil Jariwala Gallery

A Plateau Indian Beaded Bag, c. !890, Plateau Indian, Northwest America. Beads onto hide and velvet, 35.7 x 28 cm © Kapil Jariwala Gallery

A Bambara Latch in the form of a Crocodile, c. 1940, Bambara people, Mali. Carved wood, 105 cm height. © Kapil Jariwala Gallery

A Water Spirit Canoe Prow Mask (Garab), Late 19th early 20th century, Kookai region, Papua New Guinea. Pigment on stone carved wood, 98 cm height. Provenance: Ex Senta Taft-Hendry Collection, Sydney, Australia. © Kapil Jariwala Gallery

A Fine Rare Cooks Island Chieftain’s Stool, c. 1820, Cooks Island. Stone carved wood with a rich deep patina, 14 x 44 x 24 cm. © Kapil Jariwala Gallery

Sculpture, Late 19th century Early 20th century, Songye People, The Democratic Republic of the Congo. Carved wood, 75.5 cm height. © Kapil Jariwala Gallery

A Malagasy Figure, 19th centuryn Mahafaly or Merina People, Madagascar. Carved and weathered wood, 76 cm high. Provenance: Belgian Collection. © Kapil Jariwala Gallery

An Ekoi Head Crest, 19th century, Efut-Ibibio people, Cross River Region, Nigeria. Wood, fibre, metal, animal skin and horn, 48 cm high. Provenance: Henri Kamer, Paris and New York. © Kapil Jariwala Gallery

• Gallery Lemaire (Amsterdam), focusing on objects from New Guinea, Oceania & Indonesia - http://www.gallery-lemaire.nl/

Bembe, Biteke, 14 cm © Gallery Lemaire

The Biteke statues resemble an ancestor. The attributes this statue has are a knife and calabash, these sat something about the ancestor. The statue gave the owner the possibility to keep in touch with his ancestor.

DR Congo, Kuba Belt, 90 cm © Gallery Lemaire

Abelam Yam mask, 28 cm © Gallery Lemaire

For the Abelam are mythical ancestors and the yamscult very important. This mask has an association with an ancestor. The mask is used to decorate the yams and are then presented in the men’s house. After this presentation the yams will be exchanged with other villages. The person who has grown the yam doesn’t want to eat its own crop because it feels to him that he eats his own child.

Yoruba, divination cup (23 cm). Ex collection of the artist Fon Klement. © Gallery Lemaire

Such bowls were used in rituals in which destiny or prediction (ifa) was divined. Ifa divination was used to transcribe the wisdom of Orunmila, the spirit of wisdom and prophecy in Yoruba mythology. A priest taps rhythmically on a tray with a tapper to ask for the help of Orunmila. A divination bowl like this one is used to keep the sixteen sacred palm nuts.

South Africa, Zulu bracelet, 32 cm © Gallery Lemaire

Malaita, ear ornament, 3,5 cm. The South Seas Evangelical Mission Collection, late 19th Century © Gallery Lemaire

This ear ornament is called Ai’au or bamboo-tree. Men and women wore them in a hole in the earlobe.

Philippines, Ifugao, Bulul, 45 cm. Collected in Kiangan © Gallery Lemaire

There are many carvings of ancestor and deity figures throughout the Philippines. The people believed that these figures were inhabited by spiritual beings that could assist them in their daily lives. Some figures were guardians that protected homes and agricultural land other could provide supernatural assistance.

Boiken, Dish, 38 cm. © Gallery Lemaire

These dishes are used to serve sago and meat. The dishes are also given as a gift during wedding ceremonies and initiation of girls.

Aboriginal shield. Collected in the sixties. © Gallery Lemaire

New Ireland Kapkap, 12 cm. © Gallery Lemaire

A kapkap in New Ireland is a neck ornament. In some regions their use was restricted to men in positions of leadership.

Maori, Patu, 28 cm. © Gallery Lemaire

The Patu is used in fights to attack the head and body. The Patu is worn around the wrist with a cord so it can’t be lost during a fight.

Bought at gallery Henk Kouw (1963-1972), Amsterdam. 

Admirality island, Dance skirt, 60 x 32 cm. Small damages. © Gallery Lemaire

The dance skirt is made of beads made out of snail shells, which were considered very valuable. The skirts were only worn during special ceremonies.

Haida Spoon, 24 cm. Ex-collection H. Tischner. © Gallery Lemaire

These beautifully decorated spoon are used during festivities and potlaches. The figures on the spoon are the totem of a family.

Wogamush shield, 172 cm. Sold in Sotheby’s (label still on shield) © Gallery Lemaire

• Kenn MacKay, a dealer with wide-ranging interests including African, Oceanic, Pre-Columbian, Himalayan and Latin American tribal art http://www.tribalartantiques.com/

Nepal ritual mask, Hanuman. Heavy hard wood with old layered pigments and glass eyes, late 19th early 20th century, 42 x 35cm. POR. © Kenn MacKay

Yoruba Eshu Staff, 36cm, Ex US collection, £525. © Kenn MacKay

Pre Columbian Chimu Snake Vessel, H 23cm, ex UK collection, £345. © Kenn MacKay

Scarce pair of Yoruba Ibeji figures, 29 cm, Oyo llorin region, ex US collection. POR © Kenn MacKay

Pre Columbian La Tolita-Tumaco Head, Circa BC 200, Ecuador-Columbia © Kenn MacKay

Rare Ivory Figure of a Princess, 19th Century, Ceylon-Sri Lanka, 13cm © Kenn MacKay

• David Malik, tribal objects, focusing on the martial culture of Central and Western Africa - http://www.davidmalikarts.com/ 

Ibeji Twin Female Figure, Yoruba, Nigeria, 25cm, wood, pigment, encrusted patina, offering remains, beads. © David Malik 

Provenance: Private Collection, Paris, France
Auction House, Paris, France
Ken Garwood, Hastings, UK
Private Collection, Naples, FL, USA

Salampasu Idangani Society ‘Mufuampo’ Mask, D.R.C., 35.5 cm, woven fibre, pigment, raffia, conical headdress in four parts on custom metal stand © David Malik

Provenance: Collection of Morton and Rebecca Lipkin, Arizona, USA

Unlike other tribes of the savannah, the Salampasu’s use of masks was unique. Through mask ownership, personal status, property gains and individual reputations flourished. Young Salampasu men were not apprentice farmers or hunters, but apprentice warriors.
This particular example of an old Mufuampo (raffia) mask is from the Idangani society. The Idangani restricted membership to certain families, then made costly to obtain. Unlike other Salampasu possessions, the right to purchase this mask was passed down from father to son, rather than mothers brother to son. The character appeared at various occasions such as birth – puberty – marriage and death, as well as at Matamba – a fierce warrior dance.
It most likely portrays a female character with five horns representing an old hairstyle once popular among Salampasu women. Horns were made of split palm reed and woven fibre – then attached.

Ibeji Twin Male Figure – Ogbomosho Oyo, Yoruba, Nigeria, 24cm, wood, pigment, encrusted patina, offering remains, metal, beads. © David Malik

Provenance: Private Collection, Paris, France
Auction House, Paris, France
Ken Garwood, Hastings, UK
Private Collection, Naples, FL, USA

Group Of Eight Ovambo (Omakipa) Ornaments, Namibia, Angola, 5 cm. to 8.5 cm. long. © David Malik

Provenance: Private collection Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Private collection, London, UK

Published: Lempertz Brussels, 2015

Ekipa, of circular, oval and rectangular form, one of shell, the others of ivory and bone, incised and blackened geometric ornament, fine creamy to golden patinas with traces of red tukula powder.

The ekipa is a prestigious ornament of the Ovambo people from Namibia and southern Angola.The material used for the Omakipa is elephant or hippo ivory, bone, occasionally wood and the fruit of the Makalane Palm. The Omakipa were crafted by the men of the society. The ivory was cut into chunks, buried in the sand, which was drenched with urine of domestic animals, to soften the ivory and give it a golden brownish colour. For carving, the men used a simple knife (omikonda). The borders were engraved with different geometrical patterns. Then the Ekipa was polished with sandstone and rubbed with an aloe extract and/or dolf-wood [Kiaat – Pterocarpus angolensis] powder (olukulu) to enhance the carved lines. The underside of the Ekipa is mostly smooth and flat or slightly curved with two or four holes so that it could be attached to leather belts. Although the underside of the Ekipa’s are normally very plain, there are odd ones that have a number of engravings. Mostly woman wore Ekipa’s attached to a leather belt or thong with the number of Omakipa they possessed being an indication of the wealth of their husbands. The Omakipa were passed on from mother to daughter. They were also worn as ornaments around the neck or upper arm.

• Louis Nierijnck (Maastricht), tribal art, textiles & adornment from Africa, the Himalayas & South East Asia 

• Adam Prout (Co-Organiser), tribal art and artefacts from all regions of the globe 

• Bryan Reeves (Co-Organiser), expert in African tribal art and adornment 

• Jeremy Sabine (South Africa), specialising in South African artefacts - jeremysabine@gmail.com

A very rare Southern Sotho brass neckring. C19th. © Jeremy Sabine

A Zulu dance stick by the ‘Baboon Master’ Late C19th or early C20th. © Jeremy Sabine

• Lisa Tao & Reuben Reubens, fine ethnographic photographs and complimentary ethnographic art - http://www.photofromthe1st.com

Women of the Chieftains, Family , Solomon Island , C1930 . Size 7.25 x 5 in. By Dr Hugo A. Barnatzik. © Lisa Tao & Reuben Reubens

 Maori Chief with Moko tattoo. Photographer Iles, Auckland, Period c1890. Process Gelatin Silver Print. Size 7.5 x 5.25 in. Price £1000. © Lisa Tao & Reuben Reubens

Fine Carte de visite of a Maori Girl with Moko, and three Tiki. Photographer Foy Bros; Period c1880. Process Albumen Print. Size 3.5 x 2.25 in. Price £ 450. © Lisa Tao & Reuben Reubens

Australian Aborigine . N.S.W. By H.King. Sydney. C1885. Albumen Print. Size 8 x 6 in. P.O.R. © Lisa Tao & Reuben Reubens

• Rob Temple (Belgium), artefacts from Africa, Asia and Oceania - http://www.robtemple.com/ 

Fine Dan mask, C1900. 23cm. Ex UK collection. © Rob Temple

Northwest Coast shaman’s amulet, probably Haida, Canada, 19th Century. 2.75″ / 7cms long. © Rob Temple

• Charles Vernon-Hunt, specialist dealer in tribal art books 

• And the leading specialist collectors’ publications: Tribal Art Magazine, and HALI the magazine of antique textiles, carpets and Islamic art. 

With interest in non-Western and primitive art growing among collectors, the Fair is an exciting precursor to Parcours des Mondes in Paris, which is the world’s largest tribal art event (6-11 September 2016). International buyers make a special stop to visit Tribal Art London en route. 

Admission to the Fair is free.