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African Curios Showcase

African Excellence - what curios should be!

Curios comes from the word curiosity - which is a great word when describing weird and wonderful items that come from around the world. We are interested African curiosities - those strange items that come from the strangest and most wonderful of continents.

knife-strength-mask

Do you have an item that is different, unknown, or just plain weird?

This is the place to show it. If it modern or ancient it has a place here. As long as it has something African about it - whether that be the styling, the origin or the sound.

We accept music, art, sculpture, jewellery, comedy ..... you name it we are interested in showcasing it!

Being a jeweller I have started with a few of my own pieces. I have also showcased some of my fathers work.  If you would like to add a piece let me know and I am happy to add it to the site. If you wish to sell it - let me have the price - we add 5% to help maintain the site. If you just want to show it off -  that's also good.

I have also included a few poems by my dad and myself.

Any type of African related material will be accepted - as long as it is original and exotic. I am not interested in typical African curios!

Some of the categories are listed below - but I can add more - just let me know. We offer free displays and free product listings.

Categories:

African music, African sculpture, African poetry, African jewelry, African art, African comedy, African music, African books.

 

African Corporate Giftsafrican cuff links

Corporate Gift

Corporate gifts are always a difficult choice. Spend too little and the corporate gift ends up in the dustbin. Spend to much and you break your budget. How many times have you received a corporate gift only to think to yourself "why did they bother" and you end up giving it to your kid or tossing it in the bin.wine holder corpoarte gift

If a gift can be useful this helps give the gift legs - even if it lies in a draw - it will not be thrown away, If it is useful and beautiful you begin to have a corporate gift that will do justice to your budget spend. The ideal outcome is to have the person receiving the gift use it and display it on their desk or wall. Hopefully your branding is done tastefully and subtly - whilst still showing the brand.

Any item you give that has intrinsic value will always be kept - no one in their right mind will throw away a solid sterling silver pen or pair of cuff links.

Men's gifts are usually a lot easier to find - men are not really opposed to wearing a branded pair of cuff links. Woman's gifts are a lot harder. I have yet to see a lady wear a branded pair of earrings or a necklace with a company logo. There is also the problem of like gifts for men and woman - one does not want to be seen as sexist in the type of gift you givecorperate gift.

This challenge can be solved by giving a unisex corporate gift such as a pen and pen stand, a diary marker or a business card holder. If the item is in silver and is stylish it fill the 3 criteria for a good corporate gift - it is valuable, it is useful and it is good to look at.

corporate giftOf course usefulness can be tossed aside when it comes to executive toys - such as a desk ornament such as a balancing man. The urge to give it a spin every time you sit down at your desk is irresistible. A striking scul;pture or wall piece is equally effective - as long as it gets put up - and once it has been mounted you have the perfect exposure for your company. Calenders are a cheap option for this type of gift.Key ring corporate gift

Key rings make another good gift for both men and woman. If it comes with a great story and is in precious metal you have a winner.

 


Damascus and silver corporate gift knifeMade from sterling silver and damascus - these knives measuring 7cm - 14cm  make perfect gifts for men!

 

Great Runic Jewelry and gifts.

runeThe Runes are thought to have originated with the Vikings who left these symbols at the places they plundered.

They predate Christianity and were used by people who need to write stuff down - recipes, spells, amongst others. Most of the knowledge and history of the rune symbols has been lost. What we have left are 24 symbols, each with it's own meaning - how much of this meaning is original is debatable.

 

oracle spinner ringYou can see more esoteric jewelry at African Gold - here we make Yin Yang's, African masks amongst other beautiful South African made jewelry

These beautiful spinner rings made from titanium and silver or titanium and gold have runes inscribed around the outside - you can choose which rune you like  focusing your mind on where you want to be.

What has evolved is a series of symbols with ideas and concepts behind them.

rune ring in titanium and white gold with diamondsThey are used as a form of oracle, not divination - which is for telling the future. Oracle on the other hand works with your own knowledge and resources. There are an infinite number of possible outcomes to your choices. This tool will help guide you.

It is not a form of fortune telling as some people think. It gives new insight into your subject or issue. Once you have spent time on your subject you draw a rune. Whether you consider it pot luck or guided by your inner self you bring new knowledge into your reality - you cannot not be influenced,  whether you act or not, whether you  believe or not. You could see a witch doctor to tell the future or just do it your self!

What a great self tool - no gurus, dogma, religion. Just you. Dealing with your life. All and any symbols will help change your life,  as long as you attach the right meaning to the symbol you use you will be where your mind is - on the meaning, working in your subconscious. Universal concepts such as power, perception and serenity can be life changers if applied correctly

.These African Masks show examples of  African Symbols.

Rune the self pendant

THE SELF

This is the Rune MANNAZ. It represents THE SELF.
The starting point is the self. It’s essence is water. Only clarity, willingness to change, is effective now.

A correct relationship to your self is primary, for from it flow all possible correct relationships with others and the Divine.
The Traditional Meanings are: Man; the Human Race.

Partnership Gebo rune symbolPARTNERSHIP

This is the Rune GEBO. It represents PARTNERSHIP.
The Traditional Meanings are: A Gift; Offerings from the Gods or from Chiefs to Loyal Followers.

SIGNALS
This is the Rune ANSUZ. It represents SIGNALS.
The Traditional Meanings are: God; the God Loki; Mouth (Source of Divine Utterances; Rivermouth.

SEPARATION
This is the Rune OTHILA. It represents SEPARATION.
The Traditional Meanings are: Property or Inherited Possessions; also Native Land; Home.

STRENGTH
This is the Rune URUZ. It represents STRENGTH.
The Traditional Meanings are: Strength; Sacrificial Animal; the Aurochs (bos primigenius); species of wild ox.

INITIATION

This is the Rune PERTH. It represents INITIATION.
The Traditional Meanings are: Uncertain Meaning; a Secret Matter (Rune of Mystery).

CONSTRAINT
This is the Rune NAUTHIZ. It represents CONSTRAINT.
The Traditional Meanings are: Need; Necessity; Constraint; Cause of Human Sorrow; Lessons; Hardship.

FERTILITY
This is the Rune INGUZ. It represents FERTILITY.
The Traditional Meanings are: Ing; the Legendary Hero; later a God.

DEFENSE

This is the Rune EIHWAZ. It represents DEFENSE.
The Traditional Meanings are: Yew-tree; a Bow Made of Yew; Rune Magic; Avertive Powers;

PROTECTION

This is the Rune ALGIZ. It represents PROTECTION.
The Traditional Meanings are: Protection; Defense; the Elk; Sedge or Eelgrass.

POSSESSIONS
This is the Rune FEHU. It represents POSSESSIONS.
The Traditional Meanings are: Cattle; Goods; the Vital Community Wealth.

JOY
This is the Rune WUNJO. It represents JOY.
The Traditional Meanings are: Joy; also in Cynewulf’s Runic Passages; Absence of Suffering and Sorrow.

HARVEST

This is the Rune JERA. It represents HARVEST.
The Traditional Meanings are: Year; Harvest; A Fruitful Year.

OPENING
This is the Rune KANO. It represents OPENING.
The Traditional Meanings are: Torch; Skiff; Ulcer; Associated with Cult of the Goddess Nerthus.

WARRIOR
This is the Rune TEIWAZ. It represents WARRIOR.
The Traditional Meanings are: Victory in Battle; a Guiding Planet or Star; the God Tiw.

GROWTH
This is the Rune BERKANA. It represents GROWTH.
The Traditional Meanings are: Birch Tree; Associated with Fertility Cults; Rebirth; New Life.

MOVEMENT

This is the Rune EHWAZ. It represents MOVEMENT.
The Traditional Meanings are: Horse; Associated with the Course of the Sun.

FLOW
This is the Rune LAGUZ. It represents FLOW.
The Traditional Meanings are: Water; Sea; a Fertility Source (See Grendel’s Mere in Beowulf).

DISRUPTION
This is the Rune HAGALAZ. It represents DISRUPTION.
The Traditional Meanings are: Hail; Sleet; Natural Forces that Damage.

GATEWAY
This is the Rune THURISAZ. It represents GATEWAY.
The Traditional Meanings are: Giant; Demon; Thorn.

BREAKTHROUGH
This is the Rune DAGAZ. It represents BREAKTHROUGH.
The Traditional Meanings are: Day; God’s Light; Prosperity and Fruitfulness.

STANDSTILL
This is the Rune ISA. It represents STANDSTILL.
The Traditional Meanings are: Ice; Freezing; in the Prose Edda the Frost-Giant Ymir is Born of Ice.

WHOLENESS
This is the Rune SOWELU. It represents WHOLENESS.
The Traditional Meanings are: The Sun.

UNKNOWABLE
This is the Rune ODIN. It represents THE UNKNOWABLE.
The Traditional Meanings are: The Rune of Destiny.

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