Antique tribal items and textiles mostly from West Africa.
How did you get into collecting Antiques?
“Our Business at Tribal Arts and Textiles started in 2002 after a decade of collecting and learning. Having no artistic background I was introduced to the subject of African Tribal Art by two Glasgow artists who studied Art at the Glasgow School of Art and The Edinburgh school of Art . They introduced me to the Museum of Mankind in Mayfair in 1990 and from that moment I was mesmerised by the faces, the forms and sculpture of African Art. My knowledge of the subject in 1990 was negligible. It took me 10 years of research and finally travelling to Africa to understand the significance of African Art not only to the indigenous peoples who revered these objects but also to the developed world and especially the artists such as Picasso, Vleminck and Modigliani.”
What draws you to an item?
“Initially I was drawn to the myriad of faces in African art, from the Yoruba Ibeji faces to the serene Baule masks to the more aggressive Bakongo fetiche faces all have great significance ritually and artistically. When I look at a piece I am firstly drawn to the sculptural quality of the piece then to the wood used as the carving. These two points indicate initially indicate to me ritual use.”
Is there a theme behind the collection?
“I built up a fine collection over a 15 year period and in 2008 started to be more commercial in my approach selling 5 or 6 rare pieces per year. In 2010 I took a small space at Portobello Road market and then my business moved on to another phase. Many people were interested in the subject but didn’t know who to speak to never mind buy a genuine item.”
“In 2015 I first was invited to exhibit at Tribal Art London and it was a very successful show which motivated me further. From 2012 I started looking very closely at Antique textiles from West African and whilst I do collect figurative and non figurative work my focus is on textiles from West Africa. The Kente from the Volta region of Ghana to the Baule and Guro of Cote d’Ivoire all stunning and painstakingly woven. In 2019 I started to understand where the textiles would compliment an Interior Design Concept and in October 2021 we were delighted to exhibit at our first Battersea Fair which was a resounding success. Selling to Collectors, Interior Designers and clients looking for the original.”
Do you have any tips for new customers and collectors?
“The subject of African Art and Antiques is a complex one. For anyone looking to buy an original ritually used piece a dealer with decades of experience must be the first port of call. The buyer must ask themself, why they like the piece in the first instance, then obtain a full description if the item and provenance.”
Available on Shop Decorative
A selection of products available from Tribal Art & Textiles on Shop Decorative. Click here to see more products.
