Unlike European sculpture, African sculptures were not originally made solely for artistic expression. A great portion of the sculptures so admired today were originally created to convey a religious or otherwise mystical intent. A religious person would imbue the sculpture with the spirit of a local deity to empower the sculpture to provide protection, increase fertility, bring luck, or ward off evil sprits.
Some other items important to the artisans creating the sculptures include a finely detailed, balanced representation of an idealized human form made with the highest craftsmanship possible. The human form depicted should be healthy, in the prime of life, and convey a sense a vitality, strength, health, and composure and dignity when nobility is represented.
The media for African sculptures is usually as close to its natural state as possible. For example, sculptures will be made in clay, but normally are not highly ornamented when complete. The beauty of the figure itself will speak to the artistic value of what is represented. For example, an image of a woman dancing will not need to have the details of her dress painted on the sculpture, but the lines and detailing within the figures structure will convey the entire message. Because of this, the majority of sculpture is monochromatic. The primary medium for sculpture is wood or bronze.
Another popular form of African art usually linked with sculptures includes the tribal masks commonly used for community purposes. Masks are used within African communities for coming of age ceremonies, seasonal celebrations, weddings, and religious ceremonies. The form and ornamentation of a mask was for a specific purpose. For example, the mirrors used in masks were to reflect bad spirits away from the wearer, whereas beads were to increase the power of the mask. Feathers were used to add protection from danger, and incorporating animal fur or human hair was thought to help the mask better connect to the wearer. The mask is worn by dancers performing specific movements to the sound of tribal music, and masks are either burned at the end of a ceremony or stored for later use. Traditionally masks were never discarded as they were thought to contain a spirit. As a result, finding an authentic African mask may be challenging, although many replicas are readily available.
Pricing for African sculptures can vary wildly based on the age, rarity, and authenticity. Due to the ceremonial importance of some items they are rarely sold by the original craftsman. Many of these items will be from archaeological discoveries and the original will be in a museum. However, it is common for replicas to be available starting around $40 depending on the size. Other items were originally designed to convey the owners’ wealth and status within the culture. As is common for all status symbols, if the owner falls on hard times, it is not unusual to sell the item. These sculptures are generally depictions of the individual with their prized possessions on them, and can be found available for purchase through reputable dealers.