FINE ANTIQUE ORIENTAL RUGS XXXIX & Tribal Art 6 There are 210 Lots.

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Showing 201 - 210 of 210 items
  • Startpreis / Startingbid

    3 400 €

    Lot: 201

    Gabon, 40 cm (1' 4")

    Gorilla representations in the form of masks hold great significance in Kwele culture. They symbolize the connection between the villagers and the animal spirits of the forest, embodying the primal power of these great apes, which is transferred into the mask. Especially for those aspiring to manhood, the gorilla, with its fearsome and powerful stature, serves as a role model. By imitating these qualities, young men strive to achieve a higher rank within the community.
    Provenance: France
    Private collection G. F. Vesely, AT

    Estimate: € 6000 - 6800
    3 400 €
  • Startpreis / Startingbid

    2 600 €

    Lot: 202

    Gabon, 35.5 cm (1' 2")

    Like their neighbors (Kota, Fang, and Punu), the Vuvi honor their ancestors through a series of rituals and ceremonies known as Bwete. These ceremonies are intended to ensure the protection and survival of the village. The masks of the Vuvi spiritual association are characterized by their relatively flat shape and the symbolic design of facial features and markings. They served as intermediaries through which the spirits of the ancestors appeared during the ceremonies. It is believed that these masks represent the spiritual entities of Kombe (the Sun), Ngonde (the Moon), Minanga (the Stars), and Ngadi (Thunder). Inside this old mask is a collection label (see photo).
    Provenance: Galerie Mazzarine, Jean Pierre Laprugne, Paris, FR
    Private collection G. F. Vesely, AT

    Estimate: € 3800 - 5000
    2 600 €
  • Startpreis / Startingbid

    1 600 €

    Lot: 203

    Gabon, 29 cm (11")

    The Adouma, a minority group from central Gabon, use these flat, polychromatic Mvudi masks. The forehead is wedge-shaped and projects forward, with the left side painted black and the right side in reddish-brown. The face is also color-divided: reddish-brown on the left and originally ocher on the right, while the nose is black. The lack of attachment holes for wearing the mask during dance suggests it is quite old. Another indication of age is the remnants of a leather covering - likely originally fur - on the top and sides of the forehead, which would have originally formed a cap-like structure for wearing the mask. Holes for raffia are present on the sides, and a piece of the string remains. The interior shows clear signs of use. A relic of old Africa.
    Provenance: Collection Charles Mauclair, missionary from 1967-1973 in Kinshasa, Congo
    Private collection G. F. Vesely, AT

    Estimate: € 2800 - 3800
    1 600 €
  • Startpreis / Startingbid

    1 700 €

    Lot: 204

    Angola-Congo, 39 cm (1' 3")

    The Mukanda men's association of the Chokwe holds a large number of masks used to communicate with the ancestors. In addition to the well-known face masks, such as the famous Mwana Pwo, animal masks are also used. Among these, the pig mask is one of the most common. The offered mask is very old and shows a wonderful patina from long use. A dark reddish-brown color gives the object a particular elegance. It is unclear whether this mask belongs to the category of Ngulu masks, as the resemblance to this animal group is not definitive. However, the artistic freedom of African carvers is quite broad. The depiction shows an animal head with an elongated snout, a slightly open mouth with visible teeth. The tubular eyes are recessed in the middle, the pupils are cap-shaped and inlaid with brass. The oval ears are attached to the sides of the head, and the snout is adorned with prominent nostrils.
    Provenance: La Galerie Johann Levi, FR
    Private collection G. F. Vesely, AT

    Estimate: € 2800 - 3400
    1 700 €
  • Startpreis / Startingbid

    1 800 €

    Lot: 205

    Congo, 47 cm (1' 7")

    The style of the Shankadi is recognizable by the horizontally grooved hairstyle. This female ancestor figure has a beautiful patina and exudes an aesthetic, almost abstract quality. The statuette is adorned with pearl earrings and a necklace and bracelet, from which five, presumably dog teeth, hang. Unlike the Luba-Hemba, little is known about the Luba-Shankadi, as precise field research was not conducted at the time, despite the great interest in these artworks.
    Provenance: Henry Coman, Belgium
    Private collection G. F. Vesely, AT

    Estimate: € 3000 - 3800
    1 800 €
  • Startpreis / Startingbid

    4 000 €

    Lot: 206

    Congo, 50 cm (1' 8")

    Many Kifwebe masks can be found on the art market, but only a fraction of them were actually used in rituals. Due to their almost graphic appearance, they are often reproduced on a large scale for the market and as decorative objects for modern homes. The mask offered here is authentic and was indeed used in rituals. The interior shows clear signs of wear from long-term use in the cult. Kifwebe or Bifwebe masks are part of the ritual objects of the secret society "Bwadi ka Kifwebe." Initiates of this society, known as "Basha Masende," are those trained in interacting with the gods. This type of mask is used in initiation, circumcision, or funeral ceremonies. An impressive original from old Africa with excellent provenance.
    Provenance: Galerie Mazzarine, Jean Pierre Laprugne, Paris, FR
    Private collection G. F. Vesely, AT

    Estimate: € 6000 - 8000
    4 000 €
  • Startpreis / Startingbid

    6 500 €

    Lot: 207

    Gabon-Congo, 69 cm (2' 3")

    The carver of these Nkisi figures was the creator, while the magician or healer, known as the "Nganga," awakened the figure into a Nkisi Nkondi by using magical substances, thereby establishing a connection to the god Nzambi. Metal nails and other metal elements were driven into the figure's body when important decisions were made, sealing them. This old power figure has dealt with many village problems, as evidenced by the number of nails. The head of the figure is adorned with a typical cap of the male Vili people, and the eyes are inlaid with glass, which has developed a strong patina due to age. Remnants of polychrome paint in reddish and white tones can be seen near the eyes. The open mouth displays the tribe's traditionally filed teeth in the upper section. In the navel area is a circular container, already opened, used to hold magical substances. The slightly forward-leaning body, with arms placed in front of the hips, stands on slightly splayed legs on a divided base. An imposing relic of old Africa.
    Provenance: La Galerie Johann Levi, FR
    Private collection G. F. Vesely, AT

    Estimate: € 10000 - 13000
    6 500 €
  • Startpreis / Startingbid

    6 500 €

    Lot: 208

    Congo, 98 cm (3' 3")

    Male "Nkisi" power figure. After being carved, such figures were handed over to a healer, who filled them with protective and healing substances and, in this case, adorned them with two protective figures. Only after these rituals was the figure awakened as a Nkisi and ready for its intended function-in this case, to protect against the smallpox epidemic that was widespread at the time, indicated by the nodule-shaped round-headed nails driven into the body.
    The patinated figure features a horn at the crown of its head, which is covered in non-ferrous metal, and brass pins were used for the eyes. Under the chest, two rounded strands made from snakeskin are attached. The navel, another focal point for medicine, is blocked with metal pins. A fur loincloth completes this impressive power figure. The base is heavily worn due to age. On the right side of the base is a worn label with the inscription "Sapo Sapo Gabon".
    Provenance: Galerie Gam, Paris, FR
    Private collection G. F. Vesely, AT

    Estimate: € 8000 - 12000
    6 500 €
  • Startpreis / Startingbid

    1 600 €

    Lot: 209

    Congo, 49 cm (1' 7")

    These half-figures were displayed on altars and served essentially the same functions as full-body representations: protecting the village from harmful threats such as illness, witchcraft, and other dangers. The present figure features an expressive face, adorned with brass nails on the cheeks and forehead. The open mouth reveals visible teeth, with the middle teeth in the lower jaw typically filed. The eyes are inlaid with copper. At the crown of the head is a twisted horn. The neck has five ridges and transitions into the base. Magical substances hang around the neck. This half-figure is a wonderfully crafted, ancient object with clear signs of ritual use.
    Provenance: La Galerie Johann Levi, FR
    Private collection G. F. Vesely, AT

    Estimate: € 3000 - 4000
    1 600 €
  • Startpreis / Startingbid

    2 400 €

    Lot: 210

    Congo, 79 cm (2' 7")

    An outstanding danced chief's mask of the Pende, used on special occasions such as the illness of the chief or during significant village crises, such as famine. The imposing size of this type of mask reflects its important role. Notable features include the characteristic tubular eyes, the oversized narrow nose, and two sienna-colored meander bands, which symbolize chieftaincy. The mask's face is adorned with numerous black and white triangular patterns, covering two-thirds of the surface. The rectangular mouth displays two rows of teeth. The interior of the mask shows clear signs of ritual use.
    Provenance: Private collection M. Jean Francois Compin, FR
    Private collection G. F. Vesely, AT

    Estimate: € 4000 - 4300
    2 400 €
Showing 201 - 210 of 210 items