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FINE ANTIQUE ORIENTAL RUGS 42 & TRIBAL ART 7 There are 177 Lots.
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Startpreis / Startingbid
800 €Lot: 176
Yombe female figureDemocratic Republic of Congo, 30 cm (1')
The Yombe live in western Congo, north of the mouth of the Congo River. Their artistic style is similar to that of their neighbors, the Vili. This dark reddish-brown standing female figure has her mouth slightly open and her eyes inlaid with glass, as in the nikisi-nkonde power figures. The board-like hairstyle is typical of the tribe, her hands hold a dance panel above her breasts, and her back and buttocks are decorated with dimpled scarification. The legs are adorned with carved anklets and rest on an oval base. A shiny patina covers this small, beautiful statuette.
Estimate: € 1600 - 2000800 € -
Startpreis / Startingbid
3 000 €Lot: 175
Trumpet "Loango Horn" of the BakongoDemocratic Republic of Congo, 69 cm (2' 3")
Before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th/16th century, Congo was a vast kingdom stretching from the lower Congo River along the Atlantic coast from southern Gabon to northern Angola. It had a powerful, functioning monarchy, characterized by the royal court and its rich art. The use of these trumpets dates back to the early days of the kingdom with all its traditions. This transverse horn is made of dark reddish-brown wood, elaborately designed and richly decorated.
At the upper end is a male figure holding a calabash in both hands. A pangolin rests beneath their feet. The background shows diagonal pearl patterns between hatched lines. Three bracelet-like rings entwine the horn.
The mouthpiece is surrounded by three upside-down figures holding hands. The figures on the left and right each hold a pangolin. Below them is a diagonal decoration winding through suggested strings of beads. Two crocodile depictions and two agamas eating snakes are located above the meander band, which also forms the lower end of this ceremonial horn. A representative object of the highest traditional art of Congolese carvers.
Estimate: € 6000 - 80003 000 € -
Startpreis / Startingbid
2 000 €Lot: 160
Senufo "Kpelihe" maskIvory Coast, 34 cm (1' 1")
The cultic life of the Senufo people is determined by the Poro cult. In this cult, this type of mask is used in dances at festivals and important ceremonies. This is a very early type: the upper part of the face is framed by two horns, and in the center is an upright, implied palm nut stalk. The forehead has three rows of scarified incisions, and the eyelids and the hatched patterns below them are partially dyed with indigo. On both sides are stylized ears with hinted earlobes, as well as the downward-pointing cones typical of this type, which can be interpreted either as chicken legs from sacrificial animals or symbolically as pointing to the earth - and thus as an expression of connection to it. There is a lip peg under the mouth. Original repairs to the mask show how important it was to the secret society.
Estimate: € 4000 - 60002 000 € -
Startpreis / Startingbid
2 000 €Lot: 161
Senufo yellow cast maskIvory Coast, 28 cm (11")
The ritual life of this people is determined by the Poro cult, in which this type of mask is also used. The mask presented here was cast by an experienced artist in his field - the yellow cast is of excellent quality. The oval shape of the mask is decorated on the forehead with six linear semicircles separated by a crossbar. Two wavy decorative bands run from the left and right of the eyes to the mouth; the temple area and cheeks are decorated with four linear semicircles. There are seven circular ornaments below the mouth. The forehead is crowned with a small mask surrounded by six rod ornaments. The rear edge of the mask is bordered by a ring-shaped, openwork decorative band. A brown patina ennobles this important mask.
Estimate: € 4000 - 60002 000 € -
Startpreis / Startingbid
7 000 €Lot: 174
Songye-Luba "Kifwebe" MaskDemocratic Republic of Congo, 50 cm (1' 8")
Many Kifwebe masks can be found in the art trade today - but only a fraction of them were actually used in rituals. Due to their almost graphic expressiveness, they are often carved on a large scale for the market and offered as decorative objects for modern homes.
The mask presented here, however, has been used in rituals and is authentic. The inside shows clear signs of wear, indicating long ritual use. Kifwebe or Bifwebe masks are among the ritual objects of the secret society of the same name, Bwadi ka Kifwebe. Initiates of this society, the so-called Basha Masende, were considered knowledgeable in dealing with the gods.
This type of mask was used in initiation, circumcision, or funeral ceremonies. An impressive original with a balanced artistic design from the colonial era in Africa.
Estimate: € 14000 - 180007 000 € -
Startpreis / Startingbid
1 500 €Lot: 173
Anthropomorphic rattle for the Kabwelulu...Democratic Republic of Congo, 42.5 cm (1' 5")
Ritual rattles such as this one served as essential tools for diviners or healers in oracles, healing rituals, or initiation rites. The object presented here features a beautifully crafted face; the rattle handle, heavily patinated from long use, protrudes from the center of the head. The hairstyle is designed in the typical Luba-Hemba style.
The figure is female and holds her arms below her breasts. Elaborately ornamented decorative scars run from her navel to her lower back. The legs are joined with the calabash and covered with ritual substances. This object is also ennobled by a wonderful patina of age.
Estimate: € 3000 - 40001 500 € -
Startpreis / Startingbid
1 500 €Lot: 172
Half-figure of the Luba-Hemba "Kakudji"Democratic Republic of Congo, 36 cm (1' 2")
These statuettes were kept in baskets and used in divination rituals. They were closely associated with the Bugabo secret society and were tools used by fetishists (mugangas), who were responsible for healing, hunting, fighting, and administering justice in the early colonial period.
The object shown here has two small antelope horns from a dik-dik on its head. The masterfully carved hairstyle is in the typical Hemba style, and the neck is adorned with a string of beads. The elongated body is decorated with an elaborately carved scar pattern from the navel upwards. Next to the breasts are the angled arms resting on the shoulders. A wonderful patina of age ennobles this beautiful old object.
Estimate: € 3000 - 40001 500 € -
Startpreis / Startingbid
4 000 €Lot: 168
Fang "Bikeghe" maskGabon, 42.5 cm (1' 5")
The Bikeghe mask type originated from the famous large white Ngil masks. It depicts a European and was used in ritual dances to track down dangerous spirits in the village and hand them over to the community's jurisdiction.
The mask is elongated and oval in shape with a flat forehead. The sides are flat and burnt, decorated with carvings and ornamentation typical of the tribe. The front is white, as with the Ngil masks; the eyebrows and nose are prominently highlighted, while the ears and mouth are small. The lower edge of the face has seven holes in which the beard raffia was attached. An extremely rare object.
Estimate: € 8000 - 120004 000 € -
Startpreis / Startingbid
1 500 €Lot: 167
Igbo dance maskNigeria, Afikpo, 65 cm (2' 2")
Dance masks of this type are used in Igbo male initiation ceremonies; in the Igbo mindset, they embody male strength. They are part of the Okumkpa masquerade, in which costumed dancers perform their ritualized dances in front of the villagers.
The mask is crowned by a lyre-like attachment; both this attachment and the mask itself are painted polychromatically in kaolin white, black, and laterite colors. The oval mask is convex and has six openings, two of which are designed as eyes. The center of the mask's face is adorned with four protruding pegs painted in white and black. On the sides are the oversized, typical decorative scars of the Igbo. The mounting mesh for the dancer is completely preserved. A beautiful patina of age covers this expressive carving.
Estimate: € 3000 - 40001 500 € -
Startpreis / Startingbid
6 000 €Lot: 169
Fang (Pahouin, Pangwe) "Nlo Byeri"...Gabon/Cameroon, 49 cm (1' 7")
The Fang, a people with many sub-tribes, belong ethnically to the Equatorial Bantu. Splinter groups live scattered across southern Cameroon, Gabon, and Rio Muni. Their works are highly sought after and are considered outstanding examples of African art.
As with many peoples, ancestor worship is a central aspect of the Fang's existence. Figures such as the one described here sat on bark containers and guarded the relics stored inside. The statuette features the stake intended for this purpose.
Apart from the artistic quality of this object, its visual impression is also impressive: a black-brown patina covers the figure, evidence of long ritual use. The eyes are represented by round brass discs, the arms are bent and brought together under the chest; the legs and pole are wrapped in rattan. As with all figures of this type used in cults, the anus is also depicted.
Estimate: € 12000 - 160006 000 € -
Startpreis / Startingbid
2 000 €Lot: 166
Guro mask "Gu"Ivory Coast, 28 cm (11")
The name 'Gu' means "beautiful woman" and is reflected in this mask: the delicate brown skin tone and elaborately styled hairstyle indicate the sophistication of this figure in an otherwise wild world. This type of mask is mounted on a mesh and worn on the forehead. To make it lighter for the dancer, the hairstyle has been hollowed out.
It is a very old type with small original hairline repairs made with thin rattan. The mask is covered with a wonderful patina of age - a precious gem of the Guro people.
Estimate: € 4000 - 60002 000 € -
Startpreis / Startingbid
2 000 €Lot: 165
Bird Mask "Grebo"Liberia, 20.5 cm (8")
This mask captivates with its finely crafted details. Seven carved lines, some indicated by short strokes, connect with the eyebrows and adorn the forehead. The beak is prominently designed and decorated on both sides with three relief lines each. The lower part of the beak is connected to it - this is not the case with some masks. The mask figure acts as a guardian in the initiation camps in the bush and appears at important festivals. Numerous mounting holes surround this old mask, testifying to its use in cult rituals.
Estimate: € 4000 - 60002 000 € -
Startpreis / Startingbid
1 500 €Lot: 164
Dan maskIvory Coast, 24 cm (9")
A dark brown face mask with slit eyes; the surface has a shiny patina, as does the inside, which shows beautiful signs of wear. The mask has a braided hairstyle and small braids on the sides, giving it the appearance of a spirit being. The prominently designed mouth with downturned corners suggests a significant personality who stands above things. This spirit being provided food and drink to the initiates isolated in bush schools and was thus the mediator to the outside world.
Estimate: € 3000 - 40001 500 € -
Startpreis / Startingbid
1 500 €Lot: 163
Baule maskIvory Coast, 34 cm (1' 1")
An oval mask face with an elaborately carved hairstyle, adorned with three guinea fowl heads at the crown. The eyebrows are designed in the typical Baule style, converging in the middle with four small tattoo bumps; there are similar decorations on the temples. The cheeks are decorated with a hint of a pointed beard on the sides, as is also common among their neighbors, the Yaure, and end in a beard braid. A beautiful brown patina covers the entire mask and ennobles this noble face.
Estimate: € 3000 - 40001 500 € -
Startpreis / Startingbid
2 000 €Lot: 162
Horned girl mask from the BauleIvory Coast, 28 cm (11")
This lovely mask from the Baule has a decorative border resembling a beard, similar to those used by the Yaure. The mask is crowned with two horns set in a hairstyle embossed with triangles. The nose and eyebrows are connected to form a single unit, as is customary in ancient masks of this ethnic group. The patina on the inside and outside bears witness to long ritual use.
These masks danced in honor of "Goli", the buffalo god, from the animistic beliefs of this people.
Published: "THE GERHARD F. VESELY COLLECTION," page 18
Estimate: € 4000 - 60002 000 € -
Startpreis / Startingbid
7 000 €Lot: 170
Guardian figure, Kota - Ndasa, "mbulu ngulu"Congo, 58 cm (1' 11")
Similar to other ethnic groups in Gabon, ancestor worship is one of the most important elements of their religious life. The beliefs and extraordinary imagination of the artists created representations that are unique and fascinating - so much so that famous contemporary artists enthusiastically incorporated this diversity of ideas into their own works. The collecting world was - and still is - deeply impressed by them.
The illustration shows an outstanding example of the Ndasa type. The exquisitely crafted front is decorated with wonderful reliefs made of brass and copper; the eyes, nose, and mouth are made of brass, while the inside of the eyes and the tear ducts are made of iron. The magnificent back shows a relief-like depiction of a lizard alongside a pronounced patina of age. A representative, masterfully crafted object.
Estimate: € 14000 - 180007 000 € -
Startpreis / Startingbid
6 000 €Lot: 171
Sango "mbumba bwete" reliquary figureGabon, 32 cm (1' 1")
Such reliquary figures sat in baskets and served as guardians of the ancestral relics stored inside. The light reflections created by polishing the copper and brass sheets attached to them emphasized their power to ward off the evil eye and keep all bad influences away from the ancestors.
The figure presented here is a wonderful example of this category. The face is trapezoidal in shape and decorated with alternating brass and copper strips; the round eyes are covered by arched iron eyebrows (one of which is missing). The bulge behind the head is also covered with brass sheet metal; there is a break in the wood (documented in the photo).
The long neck - sometimes interpreted as a snake - is also covered with non-ferrous metal; at the lower end there is a narrow copper ring. The angled, patinated legs are decorated with thirteen brass nails. An impressive, special object.
Estimate: € 12000 - 160006 000 €