Please Help -Tribal African Art Statues

Hi everyone, I really need some help identifying these life size, hand crafted/carved African Tribal figures. It is one man, one woman, and one older looking woman with horns that appears pregnant. They are very unique – I really cannot find anything like them. They are displayed on stands, and one foot has a small gold labeled carved with “Whamessa” I do not know if that is the artist, the gallery, the tribe or the region.


Can anyone that is familiar with African Tribal art assist me in trying to find where these came from and where I may display them or consign them. Anyone know of an African Gallery that may wish to display? They really need to be dusted and properly stored/and or displayed.


Thanks in advance – many more photos to come.

 

I'm sorry to say, none. They aren't African tribal, they were made to cater for a Western idea of tribal art.

 

Similar figurines and more info in this thread:
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/i...f-patina-ill-eat-my-socks.61925/#post-4048230

 

Thank you - I appreciate the input - I'm just so confused? I purchased these as a lot with about 30 masks as well as a ton of other similar items. It was from an estate of a lady - crazy wealthy - that traveled and purchased whatever she wanted and had them shipped home. Most of the masks were 'tourist' ones - but for these - even if they are Western, which is fine - I cannot find anything like them? Or the artist? They are huge, life-sized and heavy, solid wood, but are delicate to move and handle.... And they are strange - I do not get the connection of the 3? The large male and female, but the older lady that appears pregnant or malnourished? And has horns? I'm not sure how the 3 are related? Any other ideas?

 

Thank you so much, Any Jewelry, I clicked on the link - the face on the first one looks very similar, but the motorcycle one is just too 'cheesy' Also, for mine, I'm told the hair is human hair? yikes! And they are so big!! the male is over 6 foot tall. Thank you again - any item what "Whamessa" means? I've googled, but nothing....

 

Did you read the other thread? It was thought that they were made in Indonesia. Not that they are traditional Indonesian, of course, but made for export and tourist trade.

I am not familiar with this type of souvenir, and I don't think souvenirs need to be connected to each other. Souvenirs don't make up a story, they just make money.

 

Very unlikely. It looks like rope to me. Some plant fibre rope.

 

Cool, you are a great asset to this site!! Especially for us beginners - I really had no clue and thought these were something - no nails - all wood and dowels? As for the hair, my son's girlfriend is a hairdresser and when she saw these, she said, "Ewwwww, that's real hair." I honestly would not know either way..

 

an estate of a lady - crazy wealthy -

that's why they are so big......yer avg tourist brings home what they can carry !

how the 3 are related?

carved by the same guy, is all...

 

awwww, too funny - I think I may put them out on the curb - no worries - I thought someone, anyone, may want them - the weird pregnant lady with the horns??? come on, that is great work!! I'm moving and cannot take them with me - so I thought I'd give them a last-ditch effort before I throw away - oh, well, such is life.

 

Not for nothing, but they truly are frightening - I'm not into spirits or superstition, but these do give people pause when they look at them, they are very scary - not in the fun whimsical way...

 

keep em...at least until halloween has passed !!!!

 

My opinion only, but they must be collectible - maybe a person with a strange decorating style would want them. I think they're better than curbside junk. Put them on FB marketplace or Craigslist for a few hundred $$ and I'm sure you will have people interested. They're not something you see every day. They would be a cool addition to a man cave or tiki bar.

 

I found this similar life-size tribal-Aboriginal statue that sold for $400. Dust your statues and take some good photos and you might have luck selling them online. https://www.invaluable.com/auction-...arrior-sculpture-jointed-shell-7-c-5c942f681f

 

Oh my goodness!!!! You are an Angel!!!! I just posted mine on Ebay - so please wish me luck - this was part of a huge estate and I purchased a lot - now I am moving and cannot take any of this with me - maybe someone will like? Hope so - thank you for the pic!!!! Best Answer for you!!

 

Thank you everyone - I love this site/forum/all y'all!!! Ebay it is!!

 

Sorry, but these are not African, nor do they have any relationship to any tribal collectible carving. They are simply carved souvenirs made in Indonesia, and have been on the world market for about 20 years or so. They are made to appeal to the uninformed tourist, who wants a "tribal" appearing souvenir at an inexpensive, affordable price.

They come in all sizes now, and depict the same style grotesque stylized figure performing any number of tasks...surfing, hunting, playing guitars or drums, even riding motorcycles.

I don't know for sure where in Indonesia they are carved, but many appear on line described as "Java man." A web search for "Indonesian tribal java man carvings" will confirm. Apparently the addition of bare breasts has expanded the line to women now. They are usually described as "tribal figures."

There used to be several companies offering them wholesale, (under $20 for the 15-18" sizes), but I couldn't find any sites in a quick search just now. Perhaps they are available only on the secondary market now.

I would recommend not exposing yourself to unnecessary embarrassment, or possible problems, by describing them as anything other than what they actually are.

 

Cool, thank you - I'm very new at this - when I purchased them, it was from an estate, the mother had passed, the son had an estate sale and I purchased a lot mostly from Ghana, a few say Ivory Coast, some nothing, a few signed pieces. I promise I'm not trying to pass them off as something they are not - they are tourist African Tribal statues, purchased from someone's travels. Thanks for the good info and I now know this is not a huge find or old stuff.

 

@Petunia, I would urge you to re-read post #18, written by Taupou, who is VERY WELL versed in African/tribal items. . .in particular this part:

 

It has nothing to do with Aboriginal art either.