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Culture an African Look With Artifacts
A ceremonial headdress, a carved wood stool for a king ... African artifacts bring culture and significance to the home
Houzz Contributor. I love interior design and all things houses. It has been my great privilege to create spaces over the last eleven years to a varied and loyal clientele.
Houzz Contributor. I love interior design and all things houses. It has... More »
I have been collecting African artifacts for about 15 years. My collection started after a trip to Africa in 1997 with my husband. In the lobby of our hotel was a grouping of African artifacts, including masks, textiles and various carved pieces that I will never forget. The appeal was immediate: I was taken with the geometric nature of the carvings, and the handmade quality of the artifacts seemed to tell a story with every detail.
I fell in love with the artifacts of Africa and decided to learn about them and use them in spaces I design. In addition to their rich significance, they provide visual interest and can be used in modern, transitional and traditional spaces. Take a look at how these Houzz designers have imported Africa into these beautiful and curated spaces.
I fell in love with the artifacts of Africa and decided to learn about them and use them in spaces I design. In addition to their rich significance, they provide visual interest and can be used in modern, transitional and traditional spaces. Take a look at how these Houzz designers have imported Africa into these beautiful and curated spaces.
by Safari Fusion
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This sleek and modern space includes a great feather headdress from Cameroon. The feathers worn by chiefs and important dancers during celebrations symbolize prosperity and emulate the feathers of birds. The feathers are woven onto a raffia base that spray into a huge circle and look fantastic as wall art. The piece is available in many colors but makes a modern and textural statement in white here.
The variety of African stools is great and varied. Each style of carving and form represents a particular country, region or tribe. Here the sculptural, hand-carved quality of the stool on the hearth contrasts the stark white brick wall. Note how perfectly paired the stool is with the modern Saarinen Tulip chair and table.
The Kuba cloth of Zaire is woven from raffia palm leaves; among other uses, it's used for skirts during ceremonial occasions. The patterns are typically geometric, with colors derived from local plant sources. Here a beautiful piece of Kuba cloth was made into a pillow for a bold and colorful pairing with the geometric lines of the rattan chair.
Here at the foot of this bed is a Senufo stool of the Ivory Coast. Made from one piece of wood, this stool is highly functional in form in addition to having a graceful, simple profile. These types of stools make great benches and end tables.
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Tribal masks from various regions are combined for an eye-catching display in this modern, color-filled room. This room feels very sophisticated because of the bold contrast of modern pieces against the backdrop of the rustic masks and sculpture. The Warren Platner chairs in vibrant yellow seem to mirror the form of African sculpture.
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These circular forms are from the Mbole people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They were used as currency during important transactions and make beautiful, sculptural accessories when mounted and placed in a small grouping.
by Shirley Meisels
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Another example of a Juju hat in a vibrant fucshia color. I love how the designer paired this with bold black and white stripes on the wall. This is a great example of how these pieces can be used in a whimsical and unexpected display to create a transitional look.
In the foreground a Bamileke king's stool is used as an end table. These great textural pieces are also known as spider tables. The spider has great significance to the Bamileke people and, like the king, is believed to have sacred knowledge and the ability to solve problems. The king uses these tables during public ceremonies, but they look great as end tables. They are also available in larger sizes that make great coffee tables.
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This grand sculptural piece is a Tji-Wara headdress by the Bumbara people of Mali in northwest Africa. These headdresses are worn by designated farmers at planting time during a ceremonial dance. The headdress and dance are symbolic of an antelope, which is coveted as a perfect animal. Placed in an entry this piece is a dramatic introduction and a conversation starter.
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This cozy guest bedroom has multiple cultural artifacts, creating a well-traveled look. On the sofa are pillows made from Kasai velvet, another creation of the Kuba people in the Republic of the Congo. In this textile a flat stem-stitch embroidery is used between pile areas for contrast. The result is a velvety, geometric grouping of neutrals that makes a great transitional style.
Do you have any African pieces in your home? Let me know in the Comments section.
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Do you have any African pieces in your home? Let me know in the Comments section.
More:
Give Your Home Some Global Style
Refresh Your Space With Exotic Decor
Guest Picks: Handicrafts from Rwanda
Ideabook published on April 2, 2012.
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The Chandelier below is the Out of Africa from Canopy Designs. Love it!