African
tribal arts such as original oil paintings, masks, jewellery, pottery and
sculptures figure among the most treasured possessions for any art collector.
African tribal masks, statues, and even the popular wildlife paintings have an
inherent meaning that highlight the culture of Africa
and its people.

Most
of the original pieces, whether it is a wildlife painting or a mask, signify a
part of the every day life of the African people. Not only the locals but also
people from other countries are in love with the beautiful African tribal art
forms. One can find such collectible items at various traditional and online
museums dedicated to African art.

Collecting
rare African artefacts is an interesting hobby but never forget that it is also
a challenging task at the same time.

Here
are some valuable African art collecting tips:

1.
Thorough research

Do
a bit of research on your own about the art form. For instance, dig out the
source from where a particular original wildlife painting came and who the
owner was before this dealer. Also try and find out the history behind the art
item.

2.
Originality

Give
importance on the ethnic provenance or the originality of the art piece. Until you
know the piece you are buying is an original one, it is pointless investing
money in it. Check out online galleries to look for the authentic sculptures,
masks, original oil paintings or wildlife paintings.

3.
Pedigree

Tribal
art is as old as the African civilization and the older art pieces carry higher
value in the market. African art pieces from the thirties have a higher value as
compared to the pieces of the same era found in the Western countries such as Germany, the USA,
France or Canada.

4.
Dimension

Tribal
art pieces come in a wide range of sizes and shapes. Do not give importance to
the size of a piece but try to keep your focus on its rarity and quality
aspects. No matter where you want to purchase a collectible piece, whether it
is an online art gallery or an offline one, the quality and uniqueness of the
piece must be given prime importance.

5.
Preservation

To
retain the original shine on any valuable tribal art piece, it needs extensive
maintenance. Hence avoid purchasing a piece that might need too much
restoration as touching up can decrease the value of the art item.

6.
Auction prices

Avoid
buying African tribal art pieces from an auction as it can lead to a much
higher price for a particular piece. In no way does a higher price indicates
that the quality of that very piece is of top class. In that note, buying from
an art gallery, either online or offline can be more fruitful.

7.
Look out for the Signature

Whether
you are buying an original painting online or offline, look for the signature
of the artist. It proves the authenticity of the painting.

Always
remember that apart from having an eye for the beauty and quality of African
tribal art, you must find an honest dealer or seller who has a good reputation
for handling original paintings. To start with, you can browse around some
reputed online or offline galleries to pick some original oil paintings or
masks to add to your art collection or add a touch of class to your home or
office décor.

About the Author

Tony Chalmers is an art critic and a specialist in original oil paintings and wildlife paintings of Africa. He has also written many insightful articles on art appreciation and African Paintings.

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