HAWAIIAN

The African Wheel: Traditional African Arts and Crafts

African Art has something very special about it. African art has not changed dramatically from the Stone Age till today and this shows in the traditional designs of every type of art, be it African masks, African fabrics, African musical instruments, African ladies Handbags, African carvings and in fact all manner of African art and crafts.

It is not that symbolic African arts and crafts are only desirable in Africa; this art form has a following worldwide. Art appreciators understand that the creation of African masks and African musical instruments have a specific legacy. Methods for the creation of these items of an artistic nature have been passed down by word of mouth from father to son and mother to daughter for eons. The principle for the creation of these pieces has been for spiritual as well as practical purposes.

Traditional African fabrics are generally created using the batik method; this essentially means that the fabrics have been printed with designs using a hand dying method. Making the fabrics unique as well as individual, much more in the line of African arts and crafts than the machine woven or dyed cloth that is prevalent in western societies.

The creation of African Masks dates way back into history and some have been know to have been created further back in time than the Paleolithic era. Generally created from wood, African masks are also manufactured using leather, metal and fabric. They are highly prized and sought after today as art pieces but the original intention for them was for ceremonial purposes. The African mask traditionally represents a god or spirit and the wearer was believed to be possessed by the spirit represented by the mask.

While African ladies handbags might be believed by some to be a more contemporary art form, they have in fact a very rich history. Although more traditionally worn by males. Generally worn hidden under clothing to contain the proceeds of an unattainable task in order to win the heart of their beloved. A Mossi (Burkina Fasso) proverb even says “What is left in the bag is superior to what has been taken away”

Interestingly African musical instruments are also much sought after by art collectors and musicians alike. Even the banjo, thought to be a western instrument is of African historical origin and hand drumming is very specific throughout the entire continent of Africa as a means to support ritual dance. Many African cultures have used African musical instruments to ward off evil spirits. African music is seen as being dynamic and very functional, unlike western music that is designed to merely dance or listen to.

African Carvings are very pertinent to African culture and takes the form of many varieties of them, the most common themes in African carving of people are a couple, a woman and child, males with a weapon or animal and a stranger or outsider. African Carving also takes the shape of common household utensils. Bowls may be carved from stone or wood. The traditional Zulu meat or nyama bowl is carved from wood.

Essentially African arts and crafts have a rich cultural history and are widely sought after by collectors and art appreciators throughout the world.

About the Author

Ranju Kumar is an assistant to Herman Wheeler who has been collecting and dealing with African art and Crafts for a number of years. Visit http://www.theafricanartwheel.com where you will find an extensive resource on African art and Crafts.

African Carving: A Dogon Kanaga Mask – PREVIEW

Rare! Carved Melon – Green Glass – Czech / Bohemian – Old African Trade Bead $39.99

Precious Child~~African Hand Carved Wood Fertility Doll~~Novica Ghana $67.95

Fine African Tribal BETE Carving Wood Mask , Ivory coast $525.00

Horned African Tribal GURO / GURU Carving Wood Mask , Ivory coast $135.00

Fine Carving Wood YAURE African Tribal Art Face Mask , Ivory Coast $210.00

Bright New Day~~Ghana Hand Carved Wood Authentic African Mask~~Novica $58.46

Older African Tribal Spider BETE Carving Wood Mask , Ivory coast $450.00

Dan or We carved ceremonial spoon from theCote d’Ivoire $120.00

RARE! WOODEN HAND CARVED AFRICAN MAN ~ NEAT ~ $15.99

Tribal Carving Wood African YAURE Art Mask , Ivory Coast $235.00

Tribal African Art Ram BAULE Carving Wood Mask Front Head, Ivory Coast $245.00

CARVED AFRICAN FACE WOODEN 2 PIECES 1 NATURAL 1 BLACK $4.27

Besmo hand carved African hair comb $14.95

Colored Chimpanzee Tribal Mask GREBO African Carving Wood , Liberia $435.00

Articulated Jaw Tribal GREBO Kaogle Animal Mask African Carving Wood , Liberia $680.00

South African Sugilite Lizard carved pendant $99.00

FREE CERTIFICATE 500 CTS NATURAL AFRICAN CARVED OVAL RED RUBY STUNNING GEMSTONE $24.99

FREE CERTIFICATE 835 CARAT NATURAL AFRICAN CARVED ROYAL BLUE SAPPHIRE GEMSTONE ~ $34.99

Carved African Ox Bone Brown Tan Horse Pendant Necklace $9.99

Fine African Mask DAN Wooden Carving Mask With Attatchments, Liberia $295.00

Hand Carved in Kenya Hard Wood African Woman – 11″ – FREE SHIPPING $14.99

3 African Women Figurines, Ox Bone, well carved ,High quality , early 20th Cen. $269.00

3 African Women Figurines lot , Ox Bone carving , early 20th Cen. $189.00

Yoruba Ibeji Twin Figures Carved Wood Statues – Nigeria $450.00

African Carved Ox Bone , Elephants , early 20th Cen. $149.00

African Carved Women Figurine, Old Ox Bone , early 20th Cen. $199.00

African Women Figurine , Ox Bone carving , early 20th Cen. $79.99

Yoruba Ibeji Twin Figures Carved Wood Statues – Nigeria $300.00

African Women Figurine , Ox Bone carving , early 20th Cen. $74.99

AFRICAN EBONY CARVED WOODEN FIGURE A/F $7.89

African Vintage Ebony Wood Carving , 2 Figurines $69.99

African Vintage Ebony Wood Carving , Family $149.00

CARVED AFRICAN QUEEN PICTURE JASPER GEMS PENDANT BEAD $2.99

African Mask Wood Hand Carved & Engraved $25.90

VINTAGE AFRICAN PRINCE AND PRNCESS CARVED WOOD BOOKENDS BOOK ENDS $45.12

Totally Bamboo Congo Parquet Cutting Board $42.00 This original, stylish board was designed for extensive use and size in mind. Featuring our elegant Parquet End Grain, exclusive to Totally Bamboo, the African Collection offers a unique aesthetic appearance while maintaining a high quality cutting surface. Aptly named, the Congo is a full sized board that gives you a broad cutting surface for any and all kitchen tasks…..

Wooden Hand Carved Animal Napkin Ring – Rhino $4.00 Excitement Awaits at Your Table! Transform your every meal into an African feast in the jungle! Dine in exotic luxury with these adorable hand-carved napkin rings. Makes a powerful impression on your dinner guests and shows your love of wildlife. Other animals available. Each napkin holder is approximately 3-4 inches tall and 3-5 inches wide. Made in Mali. Price is for 1 napkin ring. Get a matchin…

Wood Wooden Hand Carved Animal Napkin Ring – Elephant $4.00 Excitement Awaits at Your Table! Transform your every meal into an African feast in the jungle! Dine in exotic luxury with these adorable hand-carved napkin rings. Makes a powerful impression on your dinner guests and shows your love of wildlife. Other animals available. Each napkin holder is approximately 3-4 inches tall and 3-5 inches wide. Made in Mali. Price is for 1 napkin ring. Get a matchin…

Prehistoric Neolithic African Rock Art – 24H x 16W – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $33.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…

African Art Techniques: Wood, Cloth, Metal, Clay $24.95 Detailed footage of the techniques African artists use to carve wooden masks and stools, to cast brass, smelt and forge iron, to spin, dye, and weave cotton cloth, and to form and fire pottery. Filmed in Burkina Faso and Ghana from 2001 to 2009 by Christopher D. Roy, Professor of African Art, the University of Iowa.This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com’s …

African Sculpture: Carving a Crocodile Mask, Shaping a Mask of Leaves $24.95 …

African Wood Carving: Fine Art Photography Greeting Note Cards, set of 12. These Fine Art Greeting Cards feature some of the best images of Sergio’s personal portfolio. Order some Cards to write your thoughts to those special people in your life, or buy a set as an exquisite, affordable present for that person you care for. All images are also available as ready-to-frame Fine Art Prints, to tastefully decorate the walls of your home, or your friends’ home. To see Sergio’…

African Wood Carving: Fine Art Photography Greeting Note Cards, set of 4. These Fine Art Greeting Cards feature some of the best images of Sergio’s personal portfolio. Order some Cards to write your thoughts to those special people in your life, or buy a set as an exquisite, affordable present for that person you care for. All images are also available as ready-to-frame Fine Art Prints, to tastefully decorate the walls of your home, or your friends’ home. To see Sergio’…

African Wood Carving: Fine Art Photography Prints matted 8×10, frame-ready, set of 4. These Fine Art Prints feature some of the best images of Sergio’s personal portfolio. Order some Cards to tastefully decorate the walls of your home, or buy a set as an exquisite, affordable present for that person you care for. All images are also available as Fine Art Greeting Cards. To see Sergio’s complete assortment of Fine Art Greeting Cards and Prints and to learn more about the story behin…

Mouse Mats of Gafr2A-00003 from North Wind Picture Archives $14.99 Photo Mouse Pad, GAFR2A-00003. Chiefs throne inlaid with ebony and ivory, Cameroons. Printed color halftone reproduction of a photograph. Chosen by North Wind Picture Archives. Standard Size Mouse Pad 7.75 x 9.125. High density Neoprene w linen surface. Easy to clean, stain resistant finish. Rounded corners. This item is shipped from our American lab….