Online catalogue for the 60th tribal art auction
191 Face mask "agbogho mmwo"
This object is not available any more.
Nigeria, Igbo
wood, brown patina, traces of red paint, kaolin, helmet-shaped, an oval hollowed face with a bow-shaped crest in openwork design, combs inserted on both sides, raised scarification marks on the temples, remains of a costume in black velvet-like fabric backside, dam., crack on the left side of the head, missing parts at the comb
H: 41 cm
H: 16.1 inch
Literature
Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Afrikanische Masken aus der Sammlung Barbier-Mueller, Genf, München, New York 1997, cat. 164
Cole, Herbert M., Aniakor, Chike C., Igbo Arts, Community and Cosmos, Los Angeles 1984, ill. 224
Sold.
192 Mask "agbogho mmwo"
This object is not available any more.
Nigeria, Igbo
wood, mat, brown patina, remains of kaolin, of oval form, two circular drillings next to the eyes, the whole facial plane covered with elaborate scarification marks, pierced around the rim, small missing parts, slight signs of abrasion, on metal base; the present mask-type incarnates the ghost of a beautiful maiden and the ideal of female and youthful beauty. It appears in honour of ancestors who are associated with fertility, motherhood and feminity.
H: 21 cm
H: 8.3 inch
Provenance
Coll. G.A.L. Bisseling, Antwerp, Belgium (collected in the early 50's)
Literature
Wittmer, Marcilene K., Arnett, William, Three Rivers of Nigeria, Atlanta 1978, p. 21
Price: 1500 - 3000 €
193 Standing female figure
Nigeria, Igbo
wood, light brown patina, kaolin, black paint, a slender body with remarkable voluminous breasts, emphasized by the framing, half-circular arranged arms in front of the body, the face showing a smug expression, caused by the unusual narrow and tapering nose and the lowered lids, triangular tattoos aside the mouth, slightly dam., cracks (left side of the head, neck, breast area, back), minor missing parts (hairline, toes), on metal plate; emphasis on sexual characteristics is most often found in masquerade puppets used to indicate deviant sexual behavior, though the use of this atypical figure, which depicts an European, is uncertain.
H: 50 cm
H: 19.7 inch
Literature
Wittmer, Marcilene K., Arnett, William, Three Rivers of Nigeria, Atlanta 1978, ill. 25
Price: 1000 - 2000 €
194 Standing female shrine figure "alusi"
This object is not available any more.
Nigeria, Igbo
wood, red and black pigment, a high towering stylized figure with well-balanced forms, the head showing idealized features with the typical "ichi" scarification marks of the "ozo" society, dam., the whole surface showing severe traces of weathering and insect caused damage, crack (right breast), missing parts (coiffure, hands), places of repair (left forearm, rigth foot tip), on block-like base; these big figures, which often appear in pairs or according to the archetype of a family in a whole group of figures, were kept in sanctuaries or in so-called "m'bari" relaxation rooms for men. They were called "alusi". Scarification marks and certain attributes specify the rank of the person they represent. For big celebrations they received a new paint and were clothed in typical Igbo costumes. Since the Igbo don't have an administrative institution adjusting conflicts between single persons or whole clans, the "alusi" have the task to decide if a complaint is reasonable or not. The respondent has to swear an oath in the sanctuary and the oracle speaks, by making him ill, if he lied.
H: 107 cm
H: 42.1 inch
Provenance
Lempertz, Brussels, 26. April 2008, lot 182
Literature
Kecskési, Maria, Kunst aus Afrika, Museum für Völkerkunde München, Ausst.kat, München, London, New York 1999, ill. 103
Sold.
195 Kola nut container
This object is not available any more.
Nigeria, Igbo
wood, mat, brown patina, of rectangular form, incised with linear ornaments, two rectangular cavities inside, min. dam., slight signs of abrasion; kola nut and white chalk are two of the most frequently used and culturally important substances in the Igbo world, and both figure prominently in initial hospitality ceremonies crucial to the success of any social or ritual undertaking. Both substances are considered as having ritual power, are sacrifices, and function as faciliators of communication between men and their gods.
H: 16 cm; L: 26,5 cm
H: 6.3 inch; L: 10.4 inch
Literature
Cole, Herbert M., Aniakor, Chike C., Igbo Arts, Community and Cosmos, Los Angeles 1984, p. 63
Price: 750 - 1500 €
196 Two horns
This object is not available any more.
Nigeria, Igbo
ivory, honey brown patina, of slightly curved form, the lower part ornamentally carved, rectangular mouthpiece, dam., cracks, l: 35 cm; dark brown, partly encrusted patina, ornamental decorations, min. dam., signs of abrasion, l: 45 cm
Price: 500 - 1000 €
197 Horn
This object is not available any more.
Nigeria, Igbo
ivory, middle brown patina, of curved form, the upper third carved with band ornament, rectangular mouthpiece, the lower part strengthened by a punched metal collar, min. dam., fissures, slight signs of corrosion and abrasion
L: 46,5 cm
L: 18.3 inch
Literature
Ginzberg, Marc, Afrikanische Formen, Mailand 2001, p. 141
Price: 800 - 1500 €
198 Water spirit mask
Nigeria, Ijaw
wood, partly encrusted mat patina, kaolin, of narrow form with pointed chin and scarification marks, crowned by a projecting headgear with ornamental carvings, pierced around the rim, missing parts through insect caused damage, slight signs of abrasion, on wooden base; these masks were worn horizontal, because the water spirits have their face in one level with the surface of the water as well.
H: 37 cm
H: 14.6 inch
Literature
Anderson, Martha G., Ways of the Rivers, Arts and Environment of the Niger Delta, Los Angeles 2002, p. 143
Price: 1000 - 2500 €
199 Dance crest in shape of a human head
Nigeria, Ijaw
wood, encrusted brown patina with traces of red, black, white and yellow ochre, an elongated head, disc-shaped flattened on top, showing expressive facial features with protruding eyes and a prominent big mouth with bare teeth, opening backside for insertion of magical mass, dam., missing parts (eyes, brows, mouth, base), cracks, paint rubbed off
H: 36 cm
H: 14.2 inch
Literature
Schädler, Karl-Ferdinand, Lexikon Afrikanische Kunst und Kultur, München, Berlin 1994, p. 194
Price: 1000 - 2000 €
200 Dance crest with janus head
This object is not available any more.
Nigeria, Ijaw
conical-shaped base, carved with slender, elongated janus-heads with raised facial features and flat wing-like projecting lobes, slightly dam., traces of insect caused damage, paint rubbed off, missing parts (top of the head); the most important masquerades of the Ijaw are performed once a year in honour of the water spirits "ekine". Aside of dance crests in the shape of human heads like the present one, they use big fish- or amphibian-shaped crests.
H: 52 cm
H: 20.5 inch
Provenance
Old Collection, London, Great Britain
Literature
Schädler, Karl-Ferdinand, Lexikon Afrikanische Kunst und Kultur, München, Berlin 1994, p. 194
Sold.
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