Online catalogue for the 68th tribal art auction
231 Head sculpture
This object is not available any more.
D. R. Congo, Mangbetu
ivory, shiny patina, the form of the head typical for the Mangbetu, min. dam., minor missing part (left ear), cracks, on acrylic base; presumably deriving from a harp "kundi". Harps once owned by Mangbetu court musicians incorporate valuable materials such as ivory or elaborate carvings. Mangbetu elders today claim that figural carvings on the harps head like the present, depict Queen Nenzima, who was chief adviser of four kings between 1875 and 1926.
H: 14 cm
H: 5.5 inch
Provenance
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland (1982)
Sold.
232 Figure "okifa"
This object is not available any more.
D. R. Congo, Mbole
light brown wood, dark brown patina, remains of pigments, hands and hips amalgamated, angular headgear, min. dam., traces of insect caused damage and abrasion, rest.; the religious and social life of the Mbole is controlled by the "lilwa" society. Death by hanging plays an important role in Mbole society. This penalty is applied to adulterers, evil sorcerers and members of the "lilwa" society who have betrayed the society's secrets. These "okifa" (= "hanged") called figures cannot be regarded as individual portraits. However, the motif of hanging is clearly shown. They were presented to the people who were going to be initiated in order to caution them and thus served as an emphatic warning against offences and betrayal of secrets.
H: 39 cm
H: 15.4 inch
Provenance
Reynold C. Kerr, New York, USA (1974)
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland
Literature
Schädler, Karl-Ferdinand, Lexikon Afrikanische Kunst und Kultur, München, Berlin 1994, p. 278
Sold.
233 Snake mask
D. R. Congo, Ngbaka
wood, greyish brown patina, traces of ritual blackish mass and kaolin, discoidal, the underside carved with a small ring with drilled holes for attachment, slightly dam., cracks, small traces of insect caused damage, rep.; by a medicine man worn horizontal on the head, presumably used for the healing of snake bites. Zande masks are rare! They were used in "mani" society as well as in funeral ceremonies. Stylistically they are linked to the masks of the Central African Republic, which suggests that they were imported about 1910, the same time as the "mani".
D: 28 cm
D: 11 inch
Provenance
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland
Exposed in
Exhibition Oberwil 1990
Literature
Felix, Marc L., 100 Peoples of Zaire and their Sculpture, The Handbook, Brüssel 1987, p. 202 f.
Price: 1500 - 3000 €
234 Throwing knife
D. R. Congo, Nzakara
metal, sickle-shaped blade, with a leaf-shaped projection, one side decorated with elaborate ornamental incisions, handle wrapped in leather, min. dam., slight traces of corrosion
H: 48,5 cm
H: 19.1 inch
Provenance
Hans Hess, Basel, Switzerland (1979)
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland
Literature
Fischer, Werner, Zirngibl, Manfred A., Afrikanische Waffen, Passau 1978, p. 86
Price: 650 - 1200 €
235 Helmet mask "giphogo"
This object is not available any more.
D. R. Congo, Pende
wood, polychrome paint, slit eyes and a trunk-like nose, beard with zigzag ornaments, coiffure with knob-like projection, min. dam., minor missing parts, fissures, slight traces of abrasion; the mask "giphogo" forms part of the chief's treasure, and is kept in his residence together with other sacred objects. The masked figure represents the political leader and symbolizes ancestral power.
H: 27,5 cm
H: 10.8 inch
Provenance
Harvey T. Menist, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels, Belgium (1977)
Hans Hess, Basel, Switzerland (1978)
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland
Literature
Herreman, Frank, Petridis, Constantijn (ed.), Face of the Spirits, Tervuren 1993, p. 73
Sold.
236 Mask "phumbu"
D. R. Congo, Pende
wood, polychrome paint, raffia bonnet with four cone-like projections, min. dam., traces of abrasion; present mask represents a chief and was used during masquerades supposed to entertain the village inhabitants. When the "phumbu" mask appeared, it was frequently accompanied by an assistant wearing a "tundu" mask. His task was to find a good seat for the chief with the best possible view.
H: 26 cm
H: 10.2 inch
Provenance
Leopold Häfliger, Luzern, Switzerland
René David, Zurich, Switzerland (1983)
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland
Literature
Felix, Marc L., 100 Peoples of Zaire and their Sculpture, Brüssel 1987, p. 143, ill. 7
Price: 2000 - 4000 €
237 Mask "mbuya"
D. R. Congo, Pende (West)
wood, coated with camwood powder in a thick layer, dark brown patina, elaborate raffia bast bonnet, horizontal brows and eyes with nearly closed lids, incised tattoos on the cheeks, slightly dam., minor missing parts; circumcision and initiation are mandatory for young men and culminate with some maskers representing village character types, in more than 15 different forms, all called "mbuya": including the mad man "tundu", the prostitute "ngobo", the young flirt "gabuku", the diviner "nganga", the long-bearded man "kiwoyo-muyombo" and the chief's mask "phumbu".
H: 26,5 cm
H: 10.4 inch
Provenance
Hans Hess, Basel, Switzerland (1975)
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland
Literature
Schädler, Karl-Ferdinand, Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture, München 2009, p. 499
Price: 1500 - 3000 €
238 Face mask "mbangu"
This object is not available any more.
D. R. Congo, Pende (West), Kwilu
wood, brown patina, darkened kaolin, slanting eyes and brows, the face halves painted in different colours, fine knotted raffia bast bonnet with a tuft of grass fibre above the forehead, slightly dam., minor missing parts, paint rubbed off; this mask is the depiction of a highly regarded hunter who has been stricken with facial paralysis. In performance, the "mbangu" mask is danced with a whole cast of character types, from clown to sorcerer and prostitute. The black and white painting refers to the scars of someone who fell into fire due to epilepsy or some medical condition.
H: 29 cm
H: 11.4 inch
Provenance
René David, Zurich, Switzerland (1976)
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland
Literature
Herreman, Frank, To cure and protect, New York 1999, p. 21, 9-11
Sold.
239 Face mask "minyangi"
This object is not available any more.
D. R. Congo, Pende Kasai, Pende (East)
wood, painted in red, darkened kaolin, arching brows, nose bridge and triangular tattoos accentuated with kaolin, slightly dam., missing parts through insect caused damage (above all backside); present mask type is completed by an abundant grass fibre beard and feather ornaments. According to F. Neyt the medicine man "nganga" orders the masquerade of the "minyangi" masks in case of virulent illnesses or repeated abortion. It is worn by woman from the chiefs house.
H: 23,5 cm
H: 9.3 inch
Provenance
Jean-Pierre Lepage, Brussels, Belgium (1978)
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland
Literature
Sousberghe, L., L' Art Pende, o.O. 1958, ill. 72 f.
Sold.
240 Mask "panya ngombe"
This object is not available any more.
D. R. Congo, Pende (Ost)
wood, polychrome paint, striking projecting ears and broad eyes slits, incised diamond-shaped patterns, accentuated by paint, min. dam., minor missing parts, traces of insect caused damage, abrasion; the "panya ngombe" mask type refers to the wild cow or buffalo, symbol of prestige and high rank. In shape of reliefs they decorate the lintels of dignitaries houses, indicating that its owner is of highest rank. The "panya ngombe" masks were used in context of circumcision rites.
H: 31 cm
H: 12.2 inch
Provenance
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland (1978)
Literature
Herreman, Frank, Petridis, Constantijn (ed.), Face of the Spirits, Tervuren 1993, p. 77
Sold.
 |
231-240 of 512 |  |
