It’s not too early to start thinking about adding an African touch to your holiday decor. This brightly painted ornament from Tanzania is inspired by the hoopoe bird, named for its distinctive call. The Painted Bird Ornament is handcrafted and vivid—an easy, affordable accent at $10. www.tenthousandvillages.com
Dhows—traditional Arabic-style Swahili sailing vessels—have sailed the African coast and the spice islands for centuries. Nzito Furniture extends that history by reclaiming hardwoods from retired dhows and turning them into handcrafted furniture with a rich, weathered patina. The Star Gazer Chair, which ships flat-packed in two pieces for easy assembly, echoes that maritime heritage and is priced at $120. nzitofurniture.com
Tanzania is a gem hunter’s paradise. Tanzanite, a rare and striking blue-violet gemstone, is found only in Tanzania, alongside diamonds, rubies and emeralds. URU Diamonds works exclusively with Tanzanian, conflict-free stones and donates 10% of profits to support miners’ families by funding school fees, books and supplies. Their diamond bracelets range from about $200 to $400. www.urudiamonds.com
These charming hippo sculptures are produced by Wonder Welders, a Tanzanian collective that trains and employs people with disabilities to create art from recycled metal. Each hippo is roughly 5 inches long and lacquered to resist rust; larger sizes can be ordered on request. Wonder Welders Hippos are affordably priced at about $15. www.kibibidesigns.co.uk