Online catalogue for the 69th tribal art auction

171 Zoomorphic board mask "bayiri"

This object is not available any more.

Burkina Faso, Bwa

wood, slightly encrusted patina, polychrome paint, a circular facial plane with concentric eyes, rectangular board-shaped superstructure with four hook-shaped protrudings on each side, crowned by a sickle-shaped element, dam., cracks, traces of abrasion, minor missing parts; according to Roy this mask represents a spirit of nature and new life names "bayiri".

H: 132 cm
H: 52 inch

Provenance
Peter Schnell, Zurich, Switzerland (1981)
Richard Rüegg, Zurich, Switzerland

Literature
Roy, Christopher D., Land of the flying masks, München 2007, ill. 142

Sold.

172 Standing figure "bateba phuwe"

This object is not available any more.

Burkina Faso, Lobi

wood, greyish brown patina, sacrificial traces, closed contours, slightly asymmetrical stature and facial features, crowned by a "phisa" coiffure, min. dam., fissures, minor missing parts, on metal plate; the Lobi differentiate between four types of "bateba" protective figures: "bateba phuwe" (the so-called "ordinary bateba"), "bateba bambar" ("paralyzed bateba"), "bateba ti puo" ("dangerous persons") and "bateba ti bala" ("the extraordinary persons"). Present figure belongs to the type of "ordinary bateba", because it shows no special gesture or any physiological symptom.

H: 66 cm
H: 26 inch

Provenance
Richard Rüegg, Zurich, Switzerland

Sold.

173 Fertility doll "biiga"

This object is not available any more.

Burkina Faso, Mossi

wood, dark brown patina, cylindrical arm- and legless trunk with accentuated breasts, a long neck supporting a flat head with crested coiffure, min. dam., cracks, slight traces of abrasion, on base; girls as well as boys used to take care for such dolls, in order to be prepared for their later role as parents.

H: 36 cm
H: 14.2 inch

Provenance
Richard Rüegg, Zurich, Switzerland

Sold.

174 Three fertility dolls "biiga"

This object is not available any more.

Burkina Faso, Mossi

wood, typical form, incised ornaments, one doll coated with leather, min. dam., slight traces of usage

H: 18 cm - 32 cm
H: 7.1 inch - 12.6 inch

Provenance
Richard Rüegg, Zurich, Switzerland

Sold.

175 Standing female figure

This object is not available any more.

Burkina Faso, Mossi

wood, brown patina, strings of glass beads, metal earrings, scarifications, sacrificial traces, rep. (right arm, back), cracks, on base; while masks exclusively were used in rural areas, the figural sculptures belonged to the scope of the sovereigns, the "nakomsé".

H: 41,5 cm
H: 16.3 inch

Provenance
Richard Rüegg, Zurich, Switzerland

Sold.

176 Standing female figure

This object is not available any more.

Burkina Faso, Mossi

wood, matt, brown patina, scarification marks on the upper part of the body, eye sockets filled with blackish mass (left one missing), metal tags (breast, coiffure), partly missing, min. dam., minor missing parts (left heel), fissures, on base; probably an ancestor figure, which were guarded and protected by the Mossi chiefs and kept in special ancestral spirits' houses. The nude figures represent the political power of the Mossi chiefs. They were dressed before being displayed in public once a year.

H: 44,5 cm
H: 17.5 inch

Provenance
Richard Rüegg, Zurich, Switzerland

Sold.

177 Female ancestor figure "blolo bla"

This object is not available any more.

Ivory Coast, Baule

wood, blackish brown patina, min. traces of kaolin, inclined upper part of the body and lowered head, delicate carved facial features and scarification marks, elaborate grooved coiffure, beautiful detail: the accurate worked belt with attached loincloth, old collection number handwritten on the back "1208", slightly dam., crack, paint rubbed off, slightly dam. (nape), on block-like base; embodyment of the ideal female in Baule culture; elaborate coiffure and scarifications are signs for her beauty.

H: 32 cm
H: 12.6 inch

Provenance
Richard Rüegg, Zurich, Switzerland

Sold.

178 Standing female figure "blolo bla"

This object is not available any more.

Ivory Coast, Baule

light brown wood, partly shiny, blackish brown patina, carved loincloth, the hands resting on the abdomen, painted pupils, fine carved coiffure, min. dam., cracks, slight traces of abrasion, on wooden base

H: 27 cm
H: 10.6 inch

Provenance
Richard Rüegg, Zurich, Switzerland

Sold.

179 Female figure "blolo bla"

This object is not available any more.

Ivory Coast, Baule

wood, shiny blackish brown patina, strings of white miniature beads, raised scarification marks, cross-shaped tattoos on the cheeks, elaborate coiffure, min. dam., fissures, slight traces of abrasion

H: 27 cm
H: 10.6 inch

Provenance
Richard Rüegg, Zurich, Switzerland

Sold.

180 Standing female figure "blolo bla"

This object is not available any more.

Ivory Coast, Baule

wood, partly encrusted brown patina, remains of pigments, raised scarification marks on body and face, partly accentuated by white paint, strings of white glass beads around the hips, elaborate coiffure, min. dam., fissures, on wooden base

H: 45,5 cm
H: 17.9 inch

Provenance
Richard Rüegg, Zurich, Switzerland

Price: 1500 - 3000 €