Tribal & African Art Appraisals

Our tribal art category encompasses the traditional art of sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania – objects such as masks, figures, headrests and staffs made from an array of materials including wood, shell, ivory, leather, feathers, beads and metal. At the top end of the market, collectors usually look for works of art which are authentic and were created prior to and including the beginning of the 20th century. There is a preference for objects often ceremonial or utilitarian, made by employing traditional techniques and materials, and that were used within the culture which produced them. Some more recent works of art, such as sculptures by Yoruba master carver Olowe of Ise (c 1875 - c 1938) and other named artists, are now also highly collectable.

Have you inherited a mask brought back from Africa by an ancestor? Maybe you purchased a curious object from a local car boot sale and want to know more about it? Or perhaps you acquired a sculpture during your own travels and would like help with attribution and dating. Getting a tribal art appraisal is easy with Value My Stuff Now. Simply upload a photograph of the item and tell us anything else you might know about it. Within 48 hours, our tribal appraiser will send you a report. 

Our Tribal & African Art Expert

Our tribal art expert has worked for a leading auction house both abroad and in London, where her focus was on traditional African and Oceanic art. She has an active interest in these specialised areas and regularly contributes articles on the art of Africa, Oceania and the Americas to a leading journal. 

The market for Tribal Art

The market for tribal art has become increasingly global, with a spread of specialised dealers, galleries and auction houses, particularly in the United States and Europe. Collectors from other categories, such as contemporary and modern art, have also been acquiring tribal artworks. Increased interest and awareness, coupled with the reduced availability of good quality, rare artefacts, have driven up prices in recent years.
Sales of tribal art were particularly strong during recent peak periods of the art market, and despite the present readjustment, prices have remained good. The latest prices include a Bamana Kono society mask sold for €1,408,750 (including Buyers’ Premium) by Sotheby’s Paris on 3 December 2009, a Bamana tji wara headdress sold for €61,000 at Christie’s Paris on 4 December 2009, €372,750 for a Maori pendant at Sotheby’s Paris on 24 March 2010 and $45,750 for another example at Bonhams on 12 February 2010.

Determining the value of Tribal Art

Collectors, as previously stated, usually look for works of art that were made before or at the turn of the last century, that employ traditional materials and techniques, and that were used within the culture that produced them. When valuing an artwork, therefore, interrelated factors such as age, signs of use, patina, material, style and provenance are taken into account. Rarity, subject matter, general condition of the object and overall aesthetic qualities also have a bearing on salability. Some highly sought-after works of art include Benin bronzes , Luba sculptures , Baule masks, Bangwa figures, Pentecost Island masks, Hawaiian feather work and the Maori figurative pendant or hei tiki.

Get your Tribal Art valued today

If you would like to get a tribal appraisal from our online specialist, simply upload a photograph and tell us any other details you know about the item. Be sure to let us know the approximate height, as scale can be difficult to judge in a photograph. Also include images of the reverse and underside of the object, if possible. Within 48 hours, our specialist will consider the information provided and then send you a tribal appraisal, including a printable certificate and a web certificate that can be used on internet-selling platforms such as eBay.

 

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