African Tribal Art News
What Auction Houses Seek For in Tribal Art: Understanding Value Beyond the Hammer Price
Why This Matters Major auction houses do not sell tribal art because it is exotic. They sell it because it meets rigorous standards of authenticity, condition, provenance, and aesthetic coherence. Understanding these standards allows collectors to see value before the catalog does. This is not about predicting prices. It is about learning how specialists think. […]
The Zulu Headrest (Isigqiki): Symbolism, Amasumpa Motifs, and Ancestral Design
In our ongoing series on Zulu heritage, building on our previous exploration of Iziqu Necklace of Valor; we turn our focus to a profound functional masterpiece: the wooden headrest, known as the Isigqiki. Design as a Guardian of Identity During the height of the independent Zulu Kingdom, the Isigqiki was a central fixture of daily […]
The Iziqu: Zulu Necklace of Valor – A Timeless Symbol of Bravery
In the rich visual and symbolic language of Zulu material culture, few objects convey martial prestige as powerfully as the iziqu, often described as the “necklace of valor.” Rarely encountered outside of museum collections and early historical records, these wooden necklaces were not ornaments in the conventional sense, but prestigious awards bestowed upon Zulu warriors […]
Unveiling the Prestige Zulu Armlet: The inGxotha
The Zulu Status Armlet, known as the inGxotha is a striking brass armband, often referred to as a gauntlet, was more than mere adornment; it was a badge of honor bestowed by Zulu kings upon those who had proven their loyalty and valor, particularly in service to the monarchy through warfare or other distinguished acts. […]
The Inhlendla: Prestige Zulu Spear Staff Variant
More than a mere walking aid, this all-wood prestige staff was a potent emblem of ubukhosi (chieftainship) a “Royal Weapon” carried exclusively by kings, high-ranking chiefs, and those granted special dispensation by the monarch. Historical Context: A Symbol of the Zenith The Inhlendla emerged during the meteoric rise of the Zulu state under the legendary […]
Popular Posts
Sign Up to receive the latest Updates and News
Useful Links
Categories
TribalArt.com © 1997-2026. All rights reserved. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Ethics & Compliance
