Online catalogue for the 68th tribal art auction

201 Crucifix

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Bakongo

brass with patina, three accompanying figures, partly with praying gesture, min. dam., slight traces of corrosion

H: 29 cm
H: 11.4 inch

Provenance
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland

Literature
Felix, Marc L. (ed.), Kongo Kingdom Art, China 2003, p. 204 f.

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202 Crucifx

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Bakongo

brass with patina, stylized forms, cavity on the back, min. dam., slight traces of corrosion

H: 15 cm
H: 5.9 inch

Provenance
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland (1978)

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203 Janusheaded ritual implement

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Basikasingo

wood, red pigment, kaolin, sacrificial traces, a long conical neck carved with two identical bearded faces, face halves dyed in different colours, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion; the sculpture presumably represents "kalunga", one of the aquatic spirits "miha". The creation of such a figure was ordered by the soothsayer in order to counteract misfortune, which the spirit might inflict on the people. "Miha" received ritual chicken sacrifices to keep him well-disposed.

H: 26 cm
H: 10.2 inch

Provenance
Edi Remondino, Bajumbura, Burundi
Toni Dähler, Basel, Switzerland
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland

Literature
Biebuyck, Daniel P., Statuary from the pre-Bembe hunters, Tervuren 1981, p. 153, ill. 42

Sold.

204 Helmet mask "kalunga"

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Bembe

light brown wood, black and white paint, carved with two pair of eyes with cross-shaped pupils, pierced around the rim, surface with traces of insect caused damage, missing parts; the mask symbolizes "kalunga", a Bembe society that functions as mother society and intervenes in tribal disputes; the society also decides tribal positions toward outside interventions. Today this mask is used in various celebrations. It supports a large, complex array of plumes and is worn with a costume that completely covers the dancer.

H: 44 cm
H: 17.3 inch

Provenance
René David, Zurich, Switzerland (1981)
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland

Literature
Cornet, Joseph, A survey of Zairan Art, The Bronson Collection, Raleigh 1978, p. 350 f.

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205 Male masks with horns

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Bembe

wood, black patina, painted with red and white pigment, narrow elongated form, a pair of eyes in concave vaulted oval planes, small conical-shaped mouth, triangular patterns, drilled holes around the rim, traces of use; M. L. Felix refers to the mask in connection with "elanda" masks, which are used at initiation and circumcision rites.

H: 65,5 cm
H: 25.8 inch

Provenance
Hans Hess, Basel, Switzerland (1972)
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland

Sold.

206 Anthropo-zoomorphic face mask "eluba" or "emangungu"

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Bembe

wood, dark brown patina, white and red pigment, of elongated, slightly hollowed form with two pairs of eyes in white oval planes, a tiny mouth, incised triangular patterns, slightly dam., paint rubbed off; circumcision rites are described by the Bembe as being their most authentic tradition. These rites were also, however, adapted to the "bwami" circumcision, and are under the supervision of high-ranked "bwami" members. A distinction is drawn between two kinds of circumcision rites whereby only the "butende bwa eluba" makes use of a particular mask type: the "emangungu" mask. M. L. Felix suspects that two pairs of eyes refer to the male and female, or to opposing forces of nature. Above the forehead are often two excresences which represent the tufts of an owl. The masks are attached to a costume of banana leaves and bark, or to a small conical hat of bark. They are worn by the initated boys while begging for food in the village during the seclusion period.

H: 45 cm
H: 17.7 inch

Provenance
Hans Hess, Basel, Switzerland (1973)
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland

Literature
Herreman, Frank, Petridis, Constantijn (ed.), Face of the Spirits, Tervuren 1993, p. 184 f.

Sold.

207 Seated colon figure

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Bembe

light brown wood, blackened in parts, scarification marks on the body, the eyes inset with white glass beads, crypto fetish, min. dam., minor missing parts, cracks, slight traces of abrasion; usually there are European pieces of dress and indifferent facial traits typical for the prevailing local style. A figure resembling a European because it is equipped with a sun helmet, a uniform, a tie, a wrist watch or similar items may just as well represent an African. Africans dressed in European style can be shown as early as the time of Louis XIV when the ambassador of the King of Ardra was received in the Tuileries.

H: 29 cm
H: 11.4 inch

Provenance
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland

Literature
Kecskési, Maria, Kunst aus Afrika, München, London, New York 1999, ill. 143

Sold.

208 Anthropomorphic bell mask "tshimwana"

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Biombo

wood, dyed with red pigment, kaolin and greyish brown patina, abundant grass fibre cuff, nose bridge and brows accentuated with nails, band ornaments with triangular deepenings, sackcloth bonnet, slightly dam., small place of rep.; the Biombo live at the confluence of the Lulua and Kasai Rivers. Their culture is strongly similar to that of the Kete and the Bushoong. Just as the "bwoom" mask of the Kuba the "tshimwana" mask too has a bell shape. The facial decoration with geometric patterning in its turn refers to the Kasai-Pende. The "tshimwana" mask is female and it appears together with other masks at initiation and funerary rituals.

H: 38 cm
H: 15 inch

Provenance
Hans Hess, Basel, Switzerland
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland (1972)

Literature
Herreman, Frank, Petridis, Constantijn (ed.), Face of the Spirits, Tervuren 1993, ill. 58
Himmelheber, Hans, Negerkunst und Negerkünstler, Würzburg 1960, p. 345 f.

Sold.

209 Mask

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Bwaka

wood, slightly encrusted greyish brown patina, heart-shaped facial plane, framed by small circular drillings, separate worked teeth, dam., missing parts, cracks; Bwaka masks are used during circumcision rites when the initiates return to the village, but they are worn by members of the anti-witchcraft society as well.

H: 23 cm
H: 9.1 inch

Provenance
Hans Hess, Basel, Switzerland
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland

Sold.

210 Pig mask "ngulu"

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D. R. Congo, Chokwe

wood, reddish brown patina, elongated stylized forms, accents with kaolin, slightly dam., minor missing parts (ears), crack; rare ! the dancer generally performs on all fours, imitating the pig's behaviour, poking about with its snout, scratching itself and trampling around clumsily. Sometimes it dances in the company with "katoyo"(representing the white man) and "pwo" (representing the female ancestor). Like these masks it too wears a beaded waistband and rattles. The dance masks are used by itinerant dancers, who keep them in a basket. The profession is hereditary, and is handed down form uncle to nephew. After the performance, the dancers receive gifts in return for the magical strength which they have dispensed to the community.

H: 37 cm
H: 14.6 inch

Provenance
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland

Literature
Bastin, Marie-Louise, La sculpture Tshokwe, Gossau 1982, p. 86 f.

Price: 1500 - 2000 €