The power of spirit
published: 2008, June 16
Some 550 art objects will be offered in the 54th tribal art auction on July 5th, 2008.
Among them there is a remarkable and rare mask type of the Kwele, Gabon, from the early 19th Century (lot 418). It belongs to an old french colonial collection that came to Europe during the colonial era. Comparable authentic pieces can be found only in Paris museums like Dapper and Quai Branly, as well as in private collections. A similar mask was auctioned at Guy Loudmer 1991 in Paris for 400,000 French francs (limit price 60,000 €).
Another old and authentic piece is to be found among item 327. This Ejagham (Ekoi) headdress with male face is one of the few Ekoi objects, that really were used in cult and made of excellent quality as well. It is published and documented by Simonis, Düsseldorf, one of the outstanding provenance in Germany (limit price 8,000 €).
The sculptures of the Hemba belong to the most important works of art in Black Africa (lot 454). "Singiti" figures always depict important persons, such as war lords, clan founders or local chiefs. They provide a literal and symbolic link between past generations and current clan leaders, whose families are entrusted with their ownership and care. They were kept in special ceremonial huts. Provenance: Old Belgian Collection as well as Alain Lecomte, Paris. (Limit price 25,000 €).
In the Lower Sepik Area, it is generally accepted that long pointed noses represent spiritual beings while short naturalistic ones portray true ancestors. This remarkable and well-carved quite old mask of a spiritual being (lot 23) could represent a mythical spirit called "tangbwal". These spirits were called forth to regulate the food supply in preparation for ceremonial feasts. It comes from a private collection in France and will be called at 12,000 €.
Equal five german private collections will be auctioned. Among them some forty objects from the Stuttgart property of a private collection of contemporary and non-European art, including fine and old works from West Africa and Papua New Guinea (lot 177 until lot 214). Most objects were acquired in the 60s and 70s by Serge Briogni, some refer to the Stuttgart Linden-Museum.
Serge Brignoni (1903 - 2002), important representative painter and sculptor of the avant-garde of the 20th Century, he himself was first attracted to non-European art when he went to study art in Paris. Over the years her set-up one of the most important collections in Europe
After the regular auction the silent auction for literature will be hold: it includes a selection of some 200 important books on African art.with objects from Africa, Asia and Oceania.
Among them there is a remarkable and rare mask type of the Kwele, Gabon, from the early 19th Century (lot 418). It belongs to an old french colonial collection that came to Europe during the colonial era. Comparable authentic pieces can be found only in Paris museums like Dapper and Quai Branly, as well as in private collections. A similar mask was auctioned at Guy Loudmer 1991 in Paris for 400,000 French francs (limit price 60,000 €).
Another old and authentic piece is to be found among item 327. This Ejagham (Ekoi) headdress with male face is one of the few Ekoi objects, that really were used in cult and made of excellent quality as well. It is published and documented by Simonis, Düsseldorf, one of the outstanding provenance in Germany (limit price 8,000 €).
The sculptures of the Hemba belong to the most important works of art in Black Africa (lot 454). "Singiti" figures always depict important persons, such as war lords, clan founders or local chiefs. They provide a literal and symbolic link between past generations and current clan leaders, whose families are entrusted with their ownership and care. They were kept in special ceremonial huts. Provenance: Old Belgian Collection as well as Alain Lecomte, Paris. (Limit price 25,000 €).
In the Lower Sepik Area, it is generally accepted that long pointed noses represent spiritual beings while short naturalistic ones portray true ancestors. This remarkable and well-carved quite old mask of a spiritual being (lot 23) could represent a mythical spirit called "tangbwal". These spirits were called forth to regulate the food supply in preparation for ceremonial feasts. It comes from a private collection in France and will be called at 12,000 €.
Equal five german private collections will be auctioned. Among them some forty objects from the Stuttgart property of a private collection of contemporary and non-European art, including fine and old works from West Africa and Papua New Guinea (lot 177 until lot 214). Most objects were acquired in the 60s and 70s by Serge Briogni, some refer to the Stuttgart Linden-Museum.
Serge Brignoni (1903 - 2002), important representative painter and sculptor of the avant-garde of the 20th Century, he himself was first attracted to non-European art when he went to study art in Paris. Over the years her set-up one of the most important collections in Europe
After the regular auction the silent auction for literature will be hold: it includes a selection of some 200 important books on African art.with objects from Africa, Asia and Oceania.
