Over 170 lots of African art. Items include women's indigo wraps. Marka/Dafing people, Burkina Faso; Dan headdress, Liberia; large carved Mali-style African drum; old currency spears. Tuareg people, Mali & Niger; rod puppet head of Dankalankule, the Oryx antelope; Bandaka “jellyfish” form currency. Mambila & Chamba people; pendants, Coptic Christian people, Ethiopia; leg band. Mongo & Konda people, Congo; Koranko body mask, Guinea, Sierra Leone; abstract bogolan textile. Bamana people, Mali; ceremonial snake-form bayonet/knife. Lobi people, Burkina Faso; ceremonial blacksmith’s hammer, Northern Nigeria; wedding blanket. Tuareg people, Niger & Mali; West African heddle pulleys. (A) Senufo people, Ivory Coast; maternity figure. Lokko people, Sierra Leone; male Chi Wara head crest mask. Bamana people, Mali; rare Asafo flag bearer/dancer's skirt. Fante people, Ghana & more. Items are located in Pleasant Valley, NY.
Payment is due by Monday, April 13 at 1PM. All lots are subject to seller approval.
Information with payment & pickup instructions will be emailed to winning bidders the morning after the auction ends.
Pickup is by appointment only & must be completed by Wednesday, April 15 at 3PM.
All lots sold as is, where is. There is a 18% Buyers Premium for all lots purchased. Payment methods for non-vehicle & non-equipment is cash, Visa, Master Card or Discover card.
Preview available online 24/7. Live preview is also available by appointment by calling our office at 845-635-3169, option 7.
Items are located at the Absolute Auction Center: 45 South Ave, Pleasant Valley, NY 12569.
Click More Info/Bid Now for additional photos.
Payment is due by Monday, April 13 at 1PM. All lots are subject to seller approval.
Information with payment & pickup instructions will be emailed to winning bidders the morning after the auction ends.
Pickup is by appointment only & must be completed by Wednesday, April 15 at 3PM.
All lots sold as is, where is. There is a 18% Buyers Premium for all lots purchased. Payment methods for non-vehicle & non-equipment is cash, Visa, Master Card or Discover card.
Preview available online 24/7. Live preview is also available by appointment by calling our office at 845-635-3169, option 7.
Items are located at the Absolute Auction Center: 45 South Ave, Pleasant Valley, NY 12569.
Click More Info/Bid Now for additional photos.
Auction Info
Over 170 lots of African art. Items include women's indigo wraps. Marka/Dafing people, Burkina Faso; Dan headdress, Liberia; large carved Mali-style African drum; old currency spears. Tuareg people, Mali & Niger; rod puppet head of Dankalankule, the Oryx antelope; Bandaka “jellyfish” form currency. Mambila & Chamba people; pendants, Coptic Christian people, Ethiopia; leg band. Mongo & Konda people, Congo; Koranko body mask, Guinea, Sierra Leone; abstract bogolan textile. Bamana people, Mali; ceremonial snake-form bayonet/knife. Lobi people, Burkina Faso; ceremonial blacksmith’s hammer, Northern Nigeria; wedding blanket. Tuareg people, Niger & Mali; West African heddle pulleys. (A) Senufo people, Ivory Coast; maternity figure. Lokko people, Sierra Leone; male Chi Wara head crest mask. Bamana people, Mali; rare Asafo flag bearer/dancer's skirt. Fante people, Ghana & more. Items are located in Pleasant Valley, NY.
Payment is due by Monday, April 13 at 1PM. All lots are subject to seller approval.
Information with payment & pickup instructions will be emailed to winning bidders the morning after the auction ends.
Pickup is by appointment only & must be completed by Wednesday, April 15 at 3PM.
All lots sold as is, where is. There is a 18% Buyers Premium for all lots purchased. Payment methods for non-vehicle & non-equipment is cash, Visa, Master Card or Discover card.
Preview available online 24/7. Live preview is also available by appointment by calling our office at 845-635-3169, option 7.
Items are located at the Absolute Auction Center: 45 South Ave, Pleasant Valley, NY 12569.
Click More Info/Bid Now for additional photos.
Payment is due by Monday, April 13 at 1PM. All lots are subject to seller approval.
Information with payment & pickup instructions will be emailed to winning bidders the morning after the auction ends.
Pickup is by appointment only & must be completed by Wednesday, April 15 at 3PM.
All lots sold as is, where is. There is a 18% Buyers Premium for all lots purchased. Payment methods for non-vehicle & non-equipment is cash, Visa, Master Card or Discover card.
Preview available online 24/7. Live preview is also available by appointment by calling our office at 845-635-3169, option 7.
Items are located at the Absolute Auction Center: 45 South Ave, Pleasant Valley, NY 12569.
Click More Info/Bid Now for additional photos.
Categories:
FOUR NIGERIAN HOE BLADES. Hoes were vitally important utilitarian tools in African agrarian societies since survival literally depended on the food farmers grew and could sell. Hoe blades were forged by local blacksmiths in forms that were traditional for a particular tribe and best adapted to local soil conditions. Most hoe blades were attached to short handles that were carved by blacksmiths. (See Lot #17). Hoes were also valued as a form of currency in important transactions like bride wealth. The four offered in this lot show the diverse artistic qualities of Nigerian hoe blades. Each on a custom base. (A) Hausa people, northern Nigeria. This unusual blade is adapted to the sandy soil on the border of the Sahara desert. It was attached to a wooden handle (see picture). Hand forged iron. H 14in. (B) Gombe people. The sharp spine of this cup-shaped blade was inserted into a wooden handle (see picture). In addition to being a useful tool known locally as kwadempe, it was exchanged as bride wealth in marriage contracts. Said to date from early 1900s. Ex Roberto Ballarini collection, Milan Italy. Hand forged iron. H 5.5in. (C) The blade has a serpentine form when seen from the side. Shows considerable wear from use. Old hand forged iron. H 7in. (D) Shovel form. Hand forged iron. H 9in.
More Details
FOUR NIGERIAN HOE BLADES. Hoes were vitally important utilitarian tools in African agrarian societies since survival literally depended on the food farmers grew and could sell. Hoe blades were forged by local blacksmiths in forms that were traditional for a particular tribe and best adapted to local soil conditions. Most hoe blades were attached to short handles that were carved by blacksmiths. (See Lot #17). Hoes were also valued as a form of currency in important transactions like bride wealth. The four offered in this lot show the diverse artistic qualities of Nigerian hoe blades. Each on a custom base. (A) Hausa people, northern Nigeria. This unusual blade is adapted to the sandy soil on the border of the Sahara desert. It was attached to a wooden handle (see picture). Hand forged iron. H 14in. (B) Gombe people. The sharp spine of this cup-shaped blade was inserted into a wooden handle (see picture). In addition to being a useful tool known locally as kwadempe, it was exchanged as bride wealth in marriage contracts. Said to date from early 1900s. Ex Roberto Ballarini collection, Milan Italy. Hand forged iron. H 5.5in. (C) The blade has a serpentine form when seen from the side. Shows considerable wear from use. Old hand forged iron. H 7in. (D) Shovel form. Hand forged iron. H 9in.
Closes On: Apr 9, 2026
08:03:30 PM – 08:04:00 PM EST
Starting Bid:
$1.00
Auction Type: One Lot
Quantity: 1
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