About Home Gallery
Home Gallery opened in March of 2001 in Nairobi. It is a Treasure Trove of wonders for all who love African arts. From the moment you enter through the front door, you are welcomed into this beautiful home that is decorated with the best quality and design, Kenyan-made furniture scattered
with cushions made from unique Raffia and Kuba fabrics backed with suede. The walls are covered with fabulous paintings by
some of Kenya's top artists and, of course, a great range of African sculptures is displayed throughout. The entire house is simply filled with interesting and unique
pieces from the entire African continent, each with its own story and history.
Lisa Christoffersen , the founder and creator of the Home Gallery was born and raised in Tanzania of Danish origin. The Home Galleryis where Lisa lives with her family and hence all the art is displayed in a functional way to great effect. The idea behind the Home Gallerywas to create a haven of inspiration for all art lovers; for those looking for a specific piece and those interested in unique, high qualitypieces.
Lisa personally welcomes all visitors through her home - the Home Gallery- and is happy to explain background and function of each piece, where it originated from and what is its purpose.
The amazing arts of the African continent are full of intriguing history and lore and yet there is still so much to learn. Lisa believes that, by living with the arts, her vision and knowledge are vastly enhanced.
Many of the pieces are of East African origin and Lisa is proud to have one of the best selections of the local art. She believes that living in this part of the world, one should appreciate the vast tribal influence that surrounds us. This is clearly seen with the excellent displays of tribal stools , headrests , spears and shields , Maasai adornments , musical instruments , pipes and bowls and other household objects. A highlight are the stunning beaded corsets from the Dinka in the South of Sudan. Huge, exquisitely carved wooden doors adorn the walls in the courtyard and its clear blue swimming pool. Around the pool edges stand bronze sculptures from Benin and Cameroon. The decor is made all the more interesting by the fact that it changes frequently making it a different experience each time you visit.
There is one room that is just full of textiles , primarily raffia mats including Butale, Shoowa , Kasai and Sheshele mats. There is an extensive selection of Bakuba Cloths , Mud Cloths , Kente and Ewe cloths and many more African fabrics .
A visit to the Home Galleryis a must for all who are interested in African Arts. To visit Lisa and arrange for your private viewing, click here to send her an e-mail . Karibu Sana.
All are welcome to come
and browse and learn!
Impressions of Home Gallery
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Picture left: Entrance hallway to the Home Gallery. Above the door is a display of African masks . Below hang three old wooden carved staffs/spears from the Luba in the Congo.
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A large carved wooden door which originates from the Ache in Nigeria/Liberia. To the right of the door hangs a harvest stick figure from the Nyamwezi in Tanzania. Then we have a unique beaded marriage corset from the Dinka in South Sudan. Wrapped below the beaded Dinka corset is a geometric Bakuba cloth from the Kuba in the Congo. |
A Bakuba cloth hanging in a window to the left of a stunning red beaded female marriage corset from the Dinka in south Sudan. Above an adorned cowry shell pygmy hat from the Congo. Below the red beaded Dinka corset is a draped tie & die Bakuba cloth adorend with cowry shells from the Kuba in the Congo. |
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Picture left: An oil painting of a Dinka tribesman wearing his beaded marriage corset while herding his cattle. The painting has a wild olive wooden frame. A locally made lamp shines up onto the painting. Below the painting is a collection of old Dinka headrests from Sudan. To the right of the painting hang 2 Mrimbas - African thumb pianos - and one knife from the WaRegga in the Congo. |
A cedar wood drinks cabinet made by Marc Van Rampelberg. To the left hang two wooden carved staffs from Tanzania. To the right is a framed oil painting of a Maasai elder. On top of the drinks cabinet are wooden African stools and a colonial piece from the Congo. On the floor in front of the cabinet is a Senefu headrest from Ivory Coast. |
A tribal spear makes the perfect rod to drape and display a Bakuba cloth, which is one long cloth draped twice over the spear. Below the bakuba cloth is a chest of drawers made by Marc Van Rampelberg. To the left of the drawers a carved wooden staff/spear from the Luba in the Congo. To the right is a musical harpe from the Luba in the Congo. To the right of the harpe on the column are two wooden Makonde body masks . The column draped with a long raffia runner from the Kuba in the Congo. |
A beaded Maasai belt makes the perfect curtain tie-back.
