We are a foremost shop for African arts and crafts. Our gallery has stock of vintage hand woven fabr
Founded in 1975, by Gabriel Olu Oni-Okpaku and Aino Ternstedt Oni-Okpaku, Quintessence Nigeria Ltd., initially began business with the sale of state-of-the-art Hi-Fi audio equipment and furniture. Early 80’s, the business shifted its focus by creating a cultural platform to showcase the talent of local artists, artisans, musicians and fashion designers. Thus, commenced our ethos to promote local c
ontent and create an enabling environment for cultivating local craftsmanship and creativity. Over the years Quintessence has established a reputation as the world’s leading luxury department store for African arts and crafts. We are and remain the leading purveyor of quality products with exceptional craftsmanship. Our collection is a result of our experience, fieldwork and research. Imbibing a culture for exquisite creativity in Africa, we have in our stock textiles including woven fabrics like Aso-Oke, Okene cloth, Akwete and fabrics from other regions within Nigeria and Africa in general. Quintessence is proud but humbled to be the first private company to organize an exhibition of Nigerian arts and crafts in Nigeria in 1982. Over the years, we have organized international exhibitions of Nigerian arts and crafts in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, England, Germany, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, France, Portugal and at the UNESCO building in Paris, France. Quintessence has artist in-residence program from which more than 20 local artists have benefitted. For example, between 2008 and 2015, Quintessence aided artist-in-residence events in Sweden for Lagos-based artists, Dr Kunle Adeyemi, Adeola Balogun and Adewale Alimi.A lot of Nigerian artistes whose names have now become household names were mentored by our founder, late Aino Oni-Okpaku e.g., Nike Okundaye of Nike Arts Gallery. The company has also played a supervisory role in upgrading the standard of Nigerian artisans to enable them to meet international standards. Quintessence can boast of having inspired the establishment of some companies like Nike Arts Centre, Colours of Africa, Out of Africa and Enyé.’
Currently at Parkview, Ikoyi, after relocating from the old Falomo Shopping complex, Quintessence, is still committed to offering artists several opportunities and advocating for the advancement of the sector for socioeconomic development in Nigeria and Africa. Quintessence also runs a home for special needs children in Ijebu-Ode called Eruobodo House - a home for children with special needs in Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria.
