Statues

 

20% off masks, statues, and artifacts this October. Excludes items already reduced.

Our hand-carved African statues come from the carving traditions of West and Central Africa.

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FAQs

Our collection spans West and Central Africa, featuring statues from Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Mali, Nigeria, and Ghana. Each piece reflects the carving traditions and cultural heritage of its region.

From Burkina Faso, you’ll find Mossi and Lobi statues – often used in ancestor veneration and protection rituals. Gabon brings Fang reliquary figures with their elongated, minimalist forms, while Ivory Coast offers Baule and Senufo statues known for detailed ceremonial carving.

Mali contributes Dogon figures – some of the most iconic statues in African art, often depicting ancestors, spiritual beings, or fertility symbols. Nigerian statues include Yoruba carvings with expressive features and ceremonial significance.

Most of our statues are rooted in traditional forms tied to ritual, protection, healing, or storytelling. We also feature contemporary African pieces by individual carvers – still handmade using ancestral techniques, but with creative freedom rather than ceremonial function.

Quality comes down to three things: authentic regional carving, hardwood that ages well, and skilled craftsmanship.

What makes a statue authentic: African statues should come from their actual region of origin – not mass-produced copies or pieces carved in unrelated countries. We source statues carved by African artisans using methods passed down through generations, working with timber from their own regions.

Timber matters: Genuine hardwoods like iroko, mahogany, and ebony develop patina over time – surfaces deepen in colour, grain becomes more pronounced, natural oils bring out warmth. Softer woods or painted finishes don’t age the same way.

Bronze statues: Follow similar principles – genuine bronze is heavy and dense for its size, holds fine surface detail, and develops a natural patina over time. Lightweight pieces coated to look like bronze are a common shortcut – authentic bronze has a cold, solid feel that’s immediately noticeable.  
Every bronze statue in our collection is genuinely cast bronze, with that cold, solid feel that’s immediately noticeable. 


Craftsmanship to look for:
Balance and proportion – even if the style is abstract or stylized, the carving should feel intentional.
Tool marks and hand detailing – signs of individual craftsmanship, not factory production.
Natural surface – wood left to age naturally rather than stained or artificially distressed.

Traditional vs. contemporary: Traditional statues follow ancestral designs tied to ritual purposes – ancestor veneration, protection, healing, storytelling. Contemporary statues are creative works by individual carvers, still rooted in cultural tradition and handmade using traditional techniques, but with artistic freedom rather than ceremonial function.
Both approaches honor their origins. The difference is intent – one serves ritual function, the other celebrates artistic heritage.
Either way, the work reflects authentic carving traditions and genuine materials.


Beyond statues, we specialise in authentic African art and functional pieces carved using traditional techniques.

African masks – ceremonial and contemporary designs from West and Central Africa, including Bwa masks from Burkina Faso, Fang and Kwele masks from Gabon, and Baule masks from Ivory Coast.

Dogon doors – intricately carved wooden doors and window shutters from Mali’s Dogon people, featuring ancestral figures, crocodiles, and symbolic patterns. These were traditionally used to protect granaries and homes.

African stools – hand-carved ceremonial and functional stools, including Ashanti stools from Ghana and Baoule stools from Ivory Coast. Many feature symbolic carvings and serve as both seating and status symbols.

Barber boards – wooden carved signs traditionally displayed outside barbers and hairdressers across West Africa. These hand-painted boards feature striking portraits and graphic designs – folk art that’s both functional advertising and creative expression.

All pieces are sourced for authenticity, craftsmanship, and cultural accuracy.

We take great care in packing and sending all our Artefacts – these are fragile and rare pieces that demand the utmost care and consideration, so they arrive at their end destination in the same condition as when they left Africa.

Shipping costs and delivery timeframes are calculated at checkout based on your location and order size.
We offer free shipping Australia-wide for orders over $90. Full details are available on our shipping page.

Two handcrafted African animal statues displayed on a timber bench in a modern home interior