Antique Moba Tribe Totem Togo

$1,000

Description: This rare ancestral totem originates from the Moba people of northern Togo, and has museum-worthy provenance. Known for their abstract wooden figures called 'tchitcheri', these pieces were carved by spiritual leaders rather than artisans, and were created for sacred use—commissioned to honor the spirits of ancestors and placed at family shrines to protect the lineage, land, and home. Minimal in design yet powerful in presence, this figure features a long, cylindrical body with subtly carved arms and a rounded head bearing quiet, expressive facial features. Its striking simplicity reflects the Moba belief that spiritual force need not be visually elaborate. Estimated to be around 100 years old, the totem shows a rich patina, surface erosion, and ritual wear consistent with decades of outdoor exposure and ceremonial use. Made from a single piece of dense, native wood, it carries both cultural weight and visual modernity—echoing the influence these forms had on 20th-century artists such as Brancusi and Giacometti. A unique piece of West African spiritual heritage, this totem is both an object of protection and a profound work of ancestral memory. This particular piece was extracted from an abandoned palace in Ivory Coast. One of one. Suggested for art collector's and history aficionados.
Measurements: L4 x W4 x H17 in
Condition: Pre-owned
Color: Brown
Seller: X Ʌ N I K Ʌ
Xanika Covington is an interior designer, artist, and collector whose work centers on tribal history and soul. After living in Africa, she founded X Ʌ N I K Ʌ - a curation of collectible antiques sourced through a network of artisans, dealers, and friends made during her travels through Africa.