Those objects that have been vetted as authentic by outside experts (Christophe Rolley, Edith Mbella, Daniel Mato, Rand Ningali, Phil Warish and Ethan Rider) are labelled as such. Objects made for the market are labelled accordingly, and objects in our archives or on pages no longer on our website should be assumed to be inauthentic if not otherwise labelled.
Fetish 10 |
Mask 49 |
Couples |
 Helmet Mask 9 |
 Heads |
 Head 3 |
 BAMANA Puppet 1 |
 Puppet 2 |
 Puppet 3 |
The Janus objects below have been SOLD and are left here for educational and research purposes.
Posts SOLD |
Couple 9 SOLD |
Janus Head 7 SOLD |
Janus Figure 1 SOLD |
 EJAGHAM Headdresses SOLD |
Couple 1 SOLD |
Couple 2 SOLD |
Figure 112 SOLD |
Our terms for these pieces ( Janus or Janiform heads, headdresses and figures ) are named after the Roman god Janus. There are some common themes but no direct connection between Roman mythology and African beliefs.
The first of January was dedicated by the Romans to their God of Gates and Doors, Janus. he is commonly depicted with two faces...one regarding what is behind and the other looking toward what lies ahead. Thus, Janus is representative of contemplation on the happenings of an old year while looking forward to the new. Some sources claim that Janus was characterized in such a peculiar fashion due to the notion that doors and gates look in two directions. Therefore, the God could look both backward and forward at the same time. Originally, Janus was portrayed with one bearded face and the other clean-shaven, which may have symbolized the moon and the sun, or age and youth. Later, he is most often shown with beards on both faces and frequently holds a key in his right hand. Very early statues of Janus (around the Second Century B.C.) depict him with four faces. In his role as the Guardian of Exits and Entrances, Janus was also believed to represent beginnings. The explanation for this belief being that one must emerge through a door or gate in order to enter into a new place.
The opposing sides of African janiform objects sometimes represent male and female faces. In Ejagham heads the male side was normally stained a dark color while portions of the female side were left the natural lighter color of the antelope skin. A figure with two faces was also often believed to be doubly powerful or protective, as with many fetishes or reliquary guardians.
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