It’s no secret that I’m a total fanatic of African objects. Their handmade masks and stools are my favorites, and I love sitting in a space surrounded by them pretending I am somewhere deep inside the Dark Continent. I’m so excited that we have discovered a few wonderful new African pieces to add to our collection. Most are vintage one-of-a-finds and our Hand Carved Ashanti Stool is a contemporary style, which is surely to become a favorite on the site for some time to come.
Our contemporary Ashanti Stool ($375.00 + Free Delivery) is hand carved by artisans from a single block of wood from the Cedrela tree. Like traditional stools, it has a crescent-shaped seat and flat base, but a simple central circle replaces the more typical Adinkra symbol in the middle.
Stools are spiritual and practical objects in the Ashanti culture of West Africa. They are understood to be the seat of the owner's soul and when not in use are leaned against a wall so that other souls passing by will not settle on it. Click here to learn more.
Our two new vintage Nupe Stools (above) are $279.00 + Free Delivery and $175.00 + Free Delivery, respectively. Most Nupe are Muslim and their art is therefore abstract, with only some stylized animals in relief on their doors and some pots. Their stools come in many forms yet are all carved from single blocks of wood. Amazingly, the grain of the wood runs horizontally, even across the legs. All share a richly carved top surface.
This vintage Punu mask ($175.00 + Free Delivery) from Gabon features many of the common characteristics from the region, including protruding lips. It is also painted in the traditional white with kaolin clay to represent the spirit of a dead ancestor. Click here to learn more about this One-Of-A-Kind piece now.
The Fang people used masks in their secret societies. Members of this male society wore the Ngil masks during the initiation of new members and the persecution of wrongdoers. Masqueraders, clad in raffia costumes and attended by helpers, would materialize in the village after dark, illuminated by flickering torchlight. Our
vintage Fang mask ($279.00 + Free Delivery) is enormous at 50 inches long and is a one-of-a-kind piece.
Click here to learn more about it.
Labels: Africa, Antiques, Art, gifts, handicrafts, home accessories, New Arrivals, Product Preview, Stools
We have just added a few new styles to our One-Of-A-Finds online, and as it may very well not surprise anyone who has been following us for a while, they are from Africa.
Vintage Mask From Gabon - $149.00 + Free Delivery
Our beautiful, hand-carved vintage masks from Gabon ($149 + Free Delivery) feature many of the common characteristics from the region, including arched eyebrows and a long and narrow shape. They are also painted in the traditional white with kaolin clay to represent the spirit of a dead ancestor. We have a few in stock and each is slightly different than the other. If you would like to see the actual mask that you will be receiving, please contact us at 1-866-804-1909.
our masks have the traditional white painted finish
Antique African Money - $85.00 + Free Delivery
Iron work had great value in African cultures. Beginning in the 18th century the availability of iron in sub-Saharan Africa increased and it eventually developed into a high end trading commodity. Objects created in iron are today known as African money and include such items as swords and bracelets. We currently have a few swords, each is slightly different than the other. As with the masks, please give us a call if you want to see the actual one you would be receiving, before placing your order online.
the iron swords were once attached to a wooded handle
Posted By: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)
Labels: Africa, Antiques, handicrafts, New Arrivals, New In Store, Pfeifer Finds
If you can’t make it to Albuquerque, then how about Brazil, Africa, Japan, Vietnam, Haiti, or even the Middle East? Pfeifer Studio runs across some pretty cool one-of-a-kind finds in our travels, and for the first time ever we are making a few of them available on our website. Of course you’ll still want to stop into the studio, since there are always one-of-a-kinds you just can’t shop for online.
Our one-of-a-kind collection is filled with vintage finds, because we love their uniqueness of course. But, according to treehugger.com they are also eco-friendly and "can be the most green" of all and "require no additional resources to manufacture, are pre-off gassed and ease the load on the landfill."
For a little Tribal Influence, check out our seriously interesting vintage masks. Whether a single mask or a grouping on the wall, they are rich in history, full of spirit, and the artistic details in the colors and carvings will make anyone take a second look.
Vintage Bambara Tribe Mask - $199 + Free Delivery
Vintage Bozo Tribe Mask - $125 + Free Delivery
For the kid inside, this Japanese Paper Kite is from the famous Hayashi family, who has been making kites in Tokyo since the Edo period. Completely handmade, it features hand painted wood block printing, and the packaging it comes in is just as fabulous.
Japanese Paper Kite - $99 + Free Delivery
Crazy about textiles and color, I adore the Vintage Hmong Textiles in addition to this very preppy-in-spirit Hmong Textile Bag. Created from part of a garment worn by Hmong women in Vietnam, it features cross-stitching and indigo block printing.
Vintage Hmong Fabric Bag - $79 + Free Delivery
Though I am definitely pining for the contemporary Handmade Ceramic Vase by Artist Mike McDowell next to Pfeifer’s Oval Leather Stool Table, I am completely drawn to the Vintage Stool from Cameroon.
Handmade Ceramic Vase - $279 + Free Delivery
Oval Leather Stool Table - $259 + Free Delivery
The Cameroon stool, carved from a solid tree trunk is estimated to be from the mid-20th Century. There are areas where cracks in the wood have been patched with what appears to be clay, and other areas where nails are used for support. But what intrigues me most about the stool is how it reminds me of crossed legs and hands intertwined together as a symbol of communal strength.
Vintage Stool From Cameroon - $129.00 + Free Delivery
Posted By: Angela (loftshoppe@gmail.com)
Labels: Africa, Antiques, Art, Asia, Eco-Friendly, End and Side Tables, gifts, handicrafts, leather tables, New Arrivals, New In Store, Pfeifer Finds, Product Preview, Stools
One of my favorite types of African Masks come from the Punu people who reside along the upper Ngoumie River in Gabon. The Punu are well known throughout Central Africa partly because the women are thought to be very beautiful. Traditionally, only Punu men were allowed to carve tribal masks and then only of Punu women. The masks that portray Punu women are so well liked that they can be found on currency that belongs to several Central African countries.
Punu Mask From GabonThe beautiful mask that we have just found exhibits all the features of the classic Punu style. She has the traditional high-domed hairstyle, diamond-shaped scarification marks on her forehead and eyes that display ‘Oriental’ characteristics. Her other common features are a pointed nose, protruding lips, arched eyebrows, narrow eyes and a closed mouth.
The elaborate Punu hairstyle, a coiffure with two side braids, suggest that the woman is wealthy as her hair has not been flattened by the need to carry goods. Our Punu mask is also painted white with kaolin clay to represent the spirit of a dead ancestor.
Scaring On The Forehead
Masks of this type were used to entertain audiences during festivals or celebrations. On rare occasions the masks are used during a ritual.
We are not sure of the exact age. Truly antique African masks of this style can easily sell for over $1000. We estimate ours to have been made within the past 30 years and have it priced at a very accessible $109. Stop by the shop to have a look for yourself or give us a call to learn more about it at 866-804-1909.
Posted By: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)
Labels: Africa, Antiques, handicrafts, New Arrivals, New In Store, Pfeifer Finds
These handcrafted vintage stools from Cameroon just landed in our showroom hot off an African trader's ship...well, the back of an African trader's van to be exact. They are both from Cameroon and have a bit of age on them. The larger style (13 diameter x 14 H inches - $199) appears to be at least 50 years old and has some interesting sections where the cracks were repaired with what looks like clay. We have not seen that before.
The smaller style ($59) measures in at an adorable 7.5 diameter x 8 H inches and is the perfect size to use as a little platform. Like the Bamileke Stool Table from our collection, they are carved from solid trunks of wood.
They are one-of-a-kind items and available only in our showroom. Stop by soon to see them for yourself or call us at 1-866-804-1909 if you are farther away and want to learn more.
Posted By: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)Labels: Africa, Antiques, Bamileke Stool, handicrafts, New Arrivals, New In Store, Pfeifer Finds, Stools
We found these great vintage school chairs a few months back and immediately brought them into the shop for our local clients. They proved to be such a hit that we though they deserved a place in our online collection as well.
They are reclaimed pieces from China and were first used in the 1960's. A range of paint colors were not available when they were first made. The bright, distressed painted finishes were recently added.
Colors vary and the options change frequently. Available colors include orange, green, baby blue, teal and white. Want a specific color? Please call 1-866-804-1909 to speak with a representative about the current options.
Chinese School Chairs - 13 x 13 x 24 H inches (approx.) $89 + Free Delivery
The Distressed Painted Finishes are new (and lead-free!)
Fun for young and old alike
Posted By: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)
Labels: Antiques, Asia, gifts, New Arrivals, Product Preview
We love mixing vintage and antique pieces in with our collection at our showroom and the selection changes often. We were understandably excited when we happened to come across these two great vintage stools on the same day, and from different sources. They are from separate cultural traditions, but look great together nonetheless.
The African stool ($149) on the right is a traditional Nupe artifact from Nigeria. Stools are viewed as among the most important art forms in Africa and connote a variety of significant things, such as an individual's status, power, the succession of chiefs or kings and communication with the ancestors. Like other Nupe stools, ours is sculpted from a single block of wood with a richly carved abstract surface.
We are not entirely sure of the origination of the woven stool ($99) on the left, since similar styles come from a region spanning from India to the Middle East. But it definitely reminds us of our larger woven rope bed, a traditional Indian charpoi handmade exclusively for us at our workshop in Delhi. This much smaller version will make a perfect footstool for one lucky shopper who happens past.
Posted By: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)
Labels: Africa, Antiques, handicrafts, India, New Arrivals, New In Store, Stools
Our Reclaimed Copper Bowls are even more beautiful today than when they were first created in India in the early 20th Century, thanks to a rich natural patina that has developed over the decades.
What's more, they are vintage, which, according to treehugger.com "can be the most green" of all home accessories because "vintage.. requires no additional resources to manufacture, is pre-offgassed and eases the load on the landfill."
Each bowl is one-of-a-kind and was made in Rajasthan, where Indian craftsmen have used use metals in their decorative arts for thousands of years. The city of Jaipur is the main center for metal work, where ethnic designs and geometric patterns are hammered or embossed on the surfaces of decorative home accessories and jewelry designs.
Priced at $39.00 each with free delivery, they will go fast. Click here to order yours today.
Labels: Antiques, Eco-Friendly, gifts, handicrafts, home accessories, India, New Arrivals
One of our favorite things about having a retail studio is that we can bring in great one-of-a-kind pieces that are not offered on the web site. Our latest shipment has just arrived and includes some absolute treasures.
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Most notable is a collection of copper pots, plates and vessels from the early 20th Century. Hand made in India, our copper antiques are representative of a long tradition of metal working on the Asian sub-continent. Several pieces feature embossed copper details with Mogul and Tibetan imagery...true gems. Also just in are new tribal jewelry styles, hand made silk sari bags and vintage gazelle skulls from Africa.
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For those of you not able to visit our retail studio in New Mexico, please don't hesitate to contact us for images of our shop exclusives. We would be happy to assist you find something unique. And as always, we offer free shipping on all styles to the USA.
Labels: Antiques, handicrafts, home accessories, India, New In Store, Our Shop
