Tribal Art Fair

Tribal Art Fair at De Duif in Amsterdam

Every year on the last weekend of October, the former church De Duif on the Prinsengracht in Amsterdam is the setting for the TAF where dealers exhibit their best objects from Africa, Asia, Oceania and South America. The range ranges from African masks and statues and jewelry and cloths from Asia, to wickerwork, shields and ancestor statues from Oceania. Enchanting works of art can be found in all price categories.

Objects with a story

How does a Luba fortuneteller from Congo use a kakishi, an openwork wooden figure, to ask the right questions? Why does the Abelam of Papua New Guinea carrying a karahut give them the strength of a wild boar? For example, tattoos made with wooden carved stamps are important to the Dayak from Borneo. But what is the function of these body decorations in the afterlife?

If you are curious about what these objects-with-a-story look like, come to the TAF in Amsterdam. At the fair, traders display their best objects from Africa, Asia, Oceania and South America. The range varies from shields and utensils from New Guinea, jewelry and textiles from Asia and statues and masks from Africa. Unique works of art and utensils can be found in all price categories.

The 19th-century church De Duif, in combination with the most beautiful objects from all over the world and a lecture programme, makes this fair an inspiring experience every year. “These objects really deserve more fame,” says organizer Finette Lemaire. “The collectors are often also specialists, which is partly why it is so nice to meet each other in this attractive place.” Experience shows that those who have visited the TAF often return the following year.

Lecture programme

The fair also has a lecture program this year. There will be a book presentation of Papua Blues, a book in which anthropologist Koos Knol returns to his birthplace in New Guinea. Based on his diaries and memories, Knol wrote fascinating short stories.

After the success of last year's symposium on the authenticity of ethnographic objects, there will be a follow-up on this subject this year. Albert Zonneveld will talk about his recently published book, Traditional Weapons of Nias: The Island of Warriors.