Online catalogue for the 69th tribal art auction

431 dropped

This object is not available any more.

432 Mask "kifwebe"

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D. R. Congo, Songe

wood, partly shiny patina, remains of pigments, covered with fine linear grooves, two labels backside "M.92.2 Kifwebe Mask, wood with old Patina, rare old style, Songe, Zaire, 17" high." und "9/18/80 - 14 - Mask 17" high, Songe Za.", pierced around the rim, dam., missing parts (back), traces of insect caused damage, cracks; the "kifwebe" masks embody a spirit being and belong to an association which bears the same name "bwadi ka bifwebe". The mask is supplemented by a plaited costume and a long beard of raffia fiber. It used to appear at various ceremonies, with the function of a security force or for warding off enemies in cases of war.

H: 44 cm
H: 17.3 inch

Provenance
Freddy Rolin, Brussels, Belgium/New York, USA

Price: 5000 - 10000 €

433 Mask "kifwebe"

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Songe

wood, black paint, kaolin, typical form, coated with fine linear grooves, pierced around the rim, min. dam., minor missing parts, traces of abrasion; dense parallel striations on the face and the lack of a comb prove that this mask is of female type, called "kikashi". They represent positive powers and are mainly used at masquerades taking place at night, for example at important moon ceremonies, or in case of the death of chief.

H: 39 cm
H: 15.4 inch

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434 Mask "kifwebe"

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Songe

wood, brown patina, remains of black paint, covered with linear grooves, pierced around the rim, dam., traces of insect caused damage, cracks, on metal base; representing the male "kifwebe" type "kilume".

H: 46 cm
H: 18.1 inch

Provenance
Gapereaux, Toulouse, France

Price: 3500 - 7000 €

435 Small power figure "nkisi"

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Songe

wood, brown patina, remains of pigments, wearing a "kifwebe" mask, elongated arms, min. dam., minor missing parts, slight traces of abrasion, on wooden base

H: 19,5 cm
H: 7.7 inch

Price: 1000 - 2000 €

436 Power figure "nkisi"

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Songe

wood, brown patina, typical posture, striking big hands, elaborate carved coiffure, animal horn on top of the head, min. dam., cracks, slight traces of abrasion, on base; the multiple chiefdoms forming the Songe cultural complex are particularly known for their variety and abundance of magical figures ("mankisi"; sing. "nkisi") which are used to alleviate a host of personal and communal problems. The external attachments to magical figures are intended to augment the visual impact of the "nkisi". The horn set into the cranium symbolizes power, fertility and abundance.

H: 27 cm
H: 10.6 inch

Price: 4000 - 8000 €

437 Female power figure "biteki koshi"

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Suku

wood, reddish brown patina, plant fibre loincloth with attached seed capsules, simplified facial features, slightly dam., cracks, on block-like base; such figures were supposed to be the abodes of the invisible benevolent forces of the ancestors. Accordingly they are used in ancestral rites by healers, diviners and clan chiefs.

H: 26,5 cm
H: 10.4 inch

Provenance
Elisabeth Verhey, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Gallery d'Eendt, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Price: 2200 - 4500 €

438 Male power figure "biteki"

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Teke

wood, shiny brown patina, a voluminous package of clay-like magical mass enclosing the body, the bearded head with fine striated scarification marks, min. dam., minor missing parts, slight traces of abrasion, on wooden base; such power figures served as patron for hunting and should protect against diseases and evil spirits. Their magical power was kept in a cylindrical package, called "bilongo", which includes the special ingredients put together according to the needs of the person in question. The package was fixed at the abdomen because to the Teke, magical wisdom can be swallowed and preserved in the stomach.

H: 31 cm
H: 12.2 inch

Provenance
Peter Loebarth, Hameln, Germany

Price: 2000 - 4000 €

439 Mask "kidumu"

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Teke

wood, kaolin, traces of faded black paint, disc-shaped facial plane, subdivided by a horizontal line, forming the brow zone, the whole face coated with deeply engraved geometrical patterns, pierced around the rim, min. dam., minor missing parts, cracks, traces of abrasion; flat masks are for the most part strictly confined to the Tsai group of the Teke tribe and show an abstract human face. They are used by members of the "kidumu" society.

H: 43 cm; D: 34 cm
H: 16.9 inch; D: 13.4 inch

Provenance
Old French Collection
Patric Claes, Brussels, Belgium

Literature
Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Genf, München, New York 1997, ill. 77

Price: 4500 - 9000 €

440 Power half figure "nkisi"

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Tetela

wood, encrusted reddish brown patina, textile loincloth, vestment and coiffure of animal skin, stylized facial features indicated by copper sheet, two staffs attached, min. dam., minor missing parts, on wooden base; the Tetela live in central Zaire, artistically they can be divided in the Northern and the Southern Tetela, the first group influenced by the Mongo, living in the rain forrest, and the second group influenced by the Songe, living in Savannah area. Present figure clearly shows the influence of the "nkisi" figures of the Songe.

H: 48 cm
H: 18.9 inch

Provenance
Kevin Conru, Brussels, Belgium
Joseph Christiaens, Brussels, Belgium
German Private Collection

Exposed in
BRUNEAF XII, 11. 06. 2002

Published in
BRUNEAF XII, 11. 06. 2002, p. 32; Kevin Conru, Primitive Art, Brussels 2002, ill. 15

GVR Archives Registration No.
0073107

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