Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

We can guarantee the authenticity of both igbo crest masks.Both  (No 19.03.581) were gifts from Igbo Ukwu's traditional chief with whom I had close links in the 1960's. The base of the mask is fairly attacked by termites. One of the horns needs repair

Thanks for any further information.

We can guarantee the authenticity of both igbo crest masks.Both were gifts from Igbo Ukwu's traditional chief with whom I had close links in the 1960's. The base of the mask is fairly attacked by termites. One of the horns has been repaired.

The present funeral statue, waka, less eroded than the two other ones in our gallery, is a double-faced pole. A male representation with its sexual attributes and bearing a kalicha, the phalic symbol of the Konso, on his forehead. The back side of the pole represents a women figure, probably the wive of the warrior celebrated by the pole. The pole comes with its wooden base. A rare example of a Konso pole in estonishing good condition.

Interesting string of small brass elements (47 triangular elements) plus additional elements (see pict.). Use unknown divination? cache-sexe?. Origin maroua Cameroon. Any help for identification is welcomed.

Funeral urn? made by famous potter women, now deceased from Saket? Benin. Purchased on the Cotonou market in 1971. sme repairs on the backside. Any further information is welcomed.

Funeral urn? made by famous potter women, now deceased from Saket? Benin. Purchased on the Cotonou market in 1971. Any further information is welcomed. This is the smaller version of item 14.01.005

Bronze chameleon, a similar piece on page 148 (Glar 2015). Glar mentions the Lokho workshop as a possible origin and the use in divination or as decoration of shrines.

Bronze chameleon, a similar piece on page 148 (Glar 2015). Glar mentions the Lokho workshop as a possible origin and the use in divination or as decoration of shrines.

Beautiful large Calao bird, most probably Senufo. The statue have been collected in 1971 in Bobo Dioulaso. It is an absolute unique piece by its size and its craftsmanship.

The calao as mystic bird is frequently present in the art of various tribes in Bukina Faso. The 2 small pendants have been collected in 1971 in former Upper Volta.

The calao as mystic bird is frequently present in the art of various tribes in Bukina Faso. The 2 small pendants have been collected in 1971 in former Upper Volta.

The buffle symbolize force and is present in various tribal groups in the Volta region, as pendant or masque.The present pendant has been collected in 1971 in former Upper Volta, a very fine piece in perfect condition.

The buffle symbolize force and is present in various tribal groups in the Volta region, as pendant or masque.The present pendant has been collected in 1971 in former Upper Volta, a very fine piece in perfect condition.

According to van Cutsem (2000) and Roberts (1995), the chameleon symbolizes cosmic order and ethics, whose physical features and behavior serve as images for the religious instructor's teachings. Among the Senufo people, chameleons represent the first animal in the Senufo creation myth.  Such amulet pendants have also a protective function against sickness and from evil consequences after killing accidently a chameleon.

According to van Cutsem (2000) and Roberts (1995), the chameleon symbolizes cosmic order and ethics, whose physical features and behavior serve as images for the religious instructor's teachings. Among the Senufo people, chameleons represent the first animal in the Senufo creation myth.  Such amulet pendants have also a protective function against sickness and from evil consequences after killing accidently a chameleon.

Origin of object unknown, any complementary information is welcomed on my mailbox. The crown with its spiraled end looks like some Kirdi / Matakam currencies. the pole is in perfect condition and mounted on a stand could be a nice design item.

Origin not confirmed, any further information would be welcomed, info@etnicdesign.ch

Making a gignity stzaff for the chief was a tough job for a blacksmith. Staffs reprensent the chiefs autority. The Dogon made staffs with small bells attached to it. The bells had to wake up the spirits and make them listen to the prayers adressed to them. All staffs are connected with Nommo the Creator of the first Hogon, the blacksmith. the iron staffs were mostly place nearby the grave of the ancestor-founder of the village. (Eerhardt p. 100 - 105)

The Lobi snakes have always one or two heads. They were used as protective charms and used in transactions as money. Women who had to work in the fields attached the snakes to the legs of their calves to prevent them from snakebites.

Despite the dangers of living among snakes, many tribes in Burkina Faso have seen snakes as sacred. Killing or eating them was forbidden, while the shedding of their skin was a symbol of rebirth. The animals were more than a symbol; to some they were mediators between this world and the next. In particular, the Lobi and Gan people incorporated the snake motif into much of their brass and copper artworks, which served as decoration, protective amulets and adornment, shrine ornaments, and metal currency. (http://www.beprimitive.com/blog/welcome-to-burkina-fasssssso)