AFRICAN & OCEANIC & PRE-COLUMBIAN ART

Showplace is actively buying a wide range of ethnographic art including African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian pieces.

Have a piece from our list? Not sure what you have? Or don’t see your item or artist on the list? We’ve got you covered! Send us a picture (insert link to sell with us) or contact one of our representatives today at 212-741-8520 or at sell@nyshowplace.com. We are actively seeking other items of similar age, style, and decorative design.

Showplace buys African masks; African sculptures; African textiles; African jewelry and beadwork; Tribal Art including artifacts and objects associated with various African tribes, such as fertility statues, divination tools, and ritual items; African ceramics and pottery, metalwork including brass, bronze, or iron sculptures and jewelry; textile arts including woven rugs, tapestries, and baskets; contemporary African photography; and contemporary African art.

Oceanic art refers to the artistic traditions of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Islands, including Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Collectors value Oceanic art for its cultural significance, craftsmanship, and aesthetic appeal. Here are some of the most collected types of Oceanic art: Woodcarvings: Intricately carved wooden sculptures, masks, and figures are highly sought after. These can represent ancestral spirits, deities, mythological beings, or cultural heroes. Shields and Weapons: Decorated shields, spears, clubs, and other weapons showcase the artistic skills and symbolic meanings of Oceanic warfare and defense traditions. Canoe Art: Elaborately carved canoes, prow figures, and model canoes are collected for their association with seafaring and navigation traditions in the Pacific Islands. Tapa Cloth: Tapa, also known as bark cloth, is made from the inner bark of trees and decorated with intricate patterns and designs. It is collected as both traditional and contemporary artwork. Storyboards: Storyboards or narrative boards are carved or painted panels that depict traditional stories, legends, or historical events. They often consist of multiple scenes arranged in a sequential narrative. Sculptural Adornments: Objects such as headdresses, masks, necklaces, and armlets made from materials like shell, bone, or feathers are collected for their ceremonial and decorative purposes.

Ritual and Ceremonial Objects: Items used in religious and ritual contexts, such as ritual bowls, staffs, drums, and figures, are valued for their cultural and spiritual significance. Bark Paintings: Paintings created on tree bark with natural pigments depict ancestral spirits, totemic animals, or mythological narratives. Bark paintings are unique to specific regions within Oceania. Navigation Charts: Elaborate maps or charts made of sticks, shells, or other materials, known as stick charts or rebbelibs, represent traditional Pacific Island navigation techniques and are collected for their cultural and historical value. Body Adornments: Jewelry, tattoos, and body decorations made from shells, feathers, pearls, or bones are highly collected for their craftsmanship and traditional significance. Mats and Baskets: Intricately woven mats and baskets, often incorporating natural fibers, are collected for their utilitarian and artistic value. Stone Carvings: Stone sculptures, such as ancestor figures or stone tools, highlight the skill and artistry of Oceanic artisans and are highly sought after by collectors. These are some of the most collected types of Oceanic art, reflecting the diverse artistic traditions and cultural heritage of the Pacific Islands. Each type carries its own unique significance, symbolism, and artistic techniques, making Oceanic art a captivating and sought-after category for collectors and art enthusiasts.

Pre-Columbian art refers to the artistic traditions of the indigenous cultures of the Americas before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492. Collectors value Pre-Columbian art for its historical significance, cultural representation, and artistic quality. Here are some of the most collected types of Pre-Columbian art: Pottery: Ceramic vessels, often intricately decorated with geometric patterns, human and animal figures, and mythological motifs, are highly collected.

Different regions had distinctive pottery styles, such as the Moche, Maya, and Nasca cultures. Sculptures: Stone sculptures, including freestanding figures, relief carvings, and steles, are sought after for their artistic quality and portrayal of gods, rulers, warriors, and mythological beings. Gold and Silver Artifacts: Precious metal objects, such as jewelry, masks, pendants, and ceremonial ornaments, showcase the exceptional goldsmithing and metalworking skills of Pre-Columbian cultures like the Aztecs, Incas, and Chimu. Textiles: Woven textiles, often made of cotton or wool, feature intricate patterns and designs.

Examples include Andean textiles with vibrant colors and intricate weaving techniques. Jade and Stone Carvings: Carved jade and stone objects, including figurines, pendants, and ceremonial objects, are highly valued for their symbolism, craftsmanship, and association with rituals and elite status. Mosaics: Mosaic artworks made from shell, stone, or other materials depict religious symbols, mythological scenes, and human figures. Examples include the Aztec feathered serpent mosaic and the Mixtec codices. Metates and Grinding Stones: Stone tools used for grinding grains and other materials, often adorned with carvings or decorative motifs, are collected for their functional and artistic qualities. Figurines: Small-scale figurines made of various materials, such as clay, stone, or metal, depict human figures, animals, or mythological beings and provide insights into daily life and religious practices. Masks: Ritual and ceremonial masks made from wood, stone, or other materials are collected for their artistic quality, symbolism, and cultural significance. Architectural Elements: Architectural fragments, such as carved lintels, doorways, and stelae, provide glimpses into the grandeur and artistic achievements of Pre-Columbian civilizations like the Maya and Olmec. Codices and Manuscripts: Handwritten or painted books on bark paper or animal skins, known as codices, depict religious rituals, historical events, and astronomical knowledge of Mesoamerican cultures. Ceremonial Weapons: Decorated weapons, including spears, clubs, and ceremonial blades, often made of stone or metal, highlight the martial traditions and craftsmanship of ancient American cultures. These are just a few examples of the most collected types of Pre-Columbian art. Each type represents the remarkable artistic achievements and cultural diversity of the indigenous civilizations of the Americas. It is important to note that collecting Pre-Columbian art should be done responsibly, ensuring adherence to legal and ethical guidelines regarding the acquisition and preservation of cultural heritage.

Or call us - 212-741-8520

Mireille Mosler

2023-08-29

Showplace was so easy to deal with! After a first email with pictures, I immediately got a response with an estimate. Selling all my furniture in one go was a huge relief. Hassle free and quick. Shawn Leventhal walked me through the process and within a week, they picked up my furniture. Highly recommend for estate sales or just redecorating your home.

Strategic Innovation

2023-08-26

The whole team made the process of selling incredibly easy. Andrea and Clare are super to work with. Thank you.

Adriel Friedlender

2023-08-23

Had an incredible experience selling my mother’s art deco furniture in her Park avenue apartment. We had a tight timeline to get all the furniture out and Showplace was able to get me an offer and pick everything up within days of initially calling them. The moving crew was very professional and efficient! They were able to disassemble, wrap and move out our office, living room set, 3 beds, and a vanity all within 3 hours. Andrew was very responsive and helpful in the days leading up to the pick up, and Sean was a joy to work with on the day of the pick up. They bought everything outright, so no need for me to wait for anything to sell before receiving a check. 10/10 would recommend Showplace to anyone looking to sell antique furniture in the city!

Joyce Nelson

2023-05-18

We were downsizing and closed our New York apartment on Park Avenue. We had art, antiques and miscellaneous objects for sale. The Showplace Team was a dream to work with.They were patient as we determined which items we wanted to sell. Andrea was exceptionally responsive, professional, and accommodating. There were issues with the building but the Showplace team remained cool and professional and made everything work smoothly.

Carlos Arias

2023-03-27

My experience with dealing with Showplace was excellent. Shawn showed great and experienced behavior while helping me with the sale of my items. Was always very kind and also made sure the pickup of them was done properly and helped to make sure all was well done. Apart this, he was very nice and helpful when I later visited your showroom and expressed my desire to purchase one of your items. He showed me around and checked that my choice was good and the item I purchased worked and any repairs necessary were done. I would recommend your Showroom and the good services of Shawn.

Tony Aiuto

2023-03-18

Years ago we had inherited a large home’s worth of pieces – crystal, African masks, signed prints, water colors, tiny sculptures. It was mostly not our vibe, but we could not figure out how to part with it. The variation in types and value would have required us to sell each of about 100 pieces individually, through different channels. Some through consignment, some auctions, some EBay. That was too daunting to cope with. We turned to Showplace. We sent pictures of everything in advance to give them an idea of what we had. Shawn came to our house one day, looked each item over, taking most (but rejecting a few). Then he offered a price that we found equitable for the bundle. Then yhey packed it all up and wrote me a check. At the end of the day, we felt relieved they had helped us part with so many things that no longer sparked joy, and were hopeful that they will find a place in a home where they do.

Edie Friedman

2023-02-27

Dealing with Amos and Andrea from Showplace to sell the contents of my mother’s estate was a first class, stress-free experience. I met with auction houses, other estate buyers, silver specialists, vintage designer clothing buyers and people that arrange tag sales to sell my mother’s vast collection of designer clothes, bags, furs, paintings, sculptures, silver, furniture, tableware and accessories. Amos made my life easier by buying everything at once and paying up front. Amos and Andrea struck just the right note of gentleness and sympathy while dealing with us at a difficult time. I highly recommend Showplace for buying estates or even for downsizing.

Benjamin Dixon

2023-02-06

These guys are fantastic. I am a real estate broker and needed to empty a large loft quickly . Showplace was easy to work with and got the job done quickly!

Dilip Yogasundram

2023-01-27

Showplace Fine Art & Estate Buyers were a real pleasure to deal with, and we received a very satisfying sale price for my late mother’s estate contents. Andrea and Amos spent far more time examining my mother’s jewelry, artwork, ornaments and furniture than any of the other prospective estate buyers, and were quick to address any questions we had. In the end, their offer was well informed and significantly better than the competition. I have no hesitiation in recommending them highly.

Gabrielle Segal

2022-11-30

As an art appraiser and consultant, I often refer clients to Showplace when they have items they are looking to sell on short notice. They are extremely friendly and professional, they pay immediately, and are a pleasure to work with. They will even arrange for broom sweep services which is a godsend for estates. I recommend them highly.

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