Why we do it

That is why we collect African art.  Obviously many one-of-a-kind pieces are investments because of inherent age and rarity (patina, age cracks, oils, soiling, traditional use and form), and naturally we pay a premium for this. Some will become valuable for less obvious reasons, for example, Zulu beer baskets. There simply are not that many traditional weavers in Zululand who make them any more.

Buying and collecting African art only because it has an “investment” value, and is "traditional", is very unfair to the many, many thousands (literally) of talented artists and artisans who have made this their only means of income. For these fine people, what they create with their hands is vital to them and their families, and very important to their ability to independently sustain themselves and grow their business. It plays a significant role in what is referred to as the informal sector in African economies.

All our products are made on the principles of Fair Trade which is a market based approach to alleviating global poverty and promoting sustainability by paying fair prices as well as maintaining social and environmental standards.