Source of inspiration
published: 2008, October 24
Today, their pioneering role is no longer controversial: non-European art from Africa and Oceania supplied an inexhaustible source of inspiration for modern art. This is set one more in the upcoming tribal art auction.
The catalogue offers a diversity of interesting objects, including a large number of outstanding provenance.
Among them, the 'akuma' mask of the Jukun, Nigeria (Lot 307). Reduced to its essentials, it once belonged to the collection of Jacques Kerchache, Paris. Kerchache, who had taken a decisive influence on the realization of the Musée du Quai Branly, chose this mask for the famous exhibition on the occasion of the Olympic Games, 1972, in Munich. Masks of the Jukun are very rare. The excellent patina also proves its long use in the cult.
Also very expressive, a wild-looking guardian figure 'byeri', Fang, Gabun (Lot 391). It has long been used in the rite and at the moment of ritual, statues were smeared with several different unguents of blood and oil. Very rarely among Fang figures is the visible round cavity at the back, filled with magical substancesis.
Dated around 1900, this male ancestor figure 'blolo bian', Baule, Ivory Coast, is characterised by its early, subtle archaic form and a very fine dark brown patina (Lot 178). The special formation of its eyes locates this figure as one of the Sakassou region. Before entering a private collection in Germany, it once belonged to Philippe Guimot, Brussels, one of the major tribal art dealers.
The head fragment of this 'nkisi' fetish figure (Lot 471) of the Songe, D.R. Congo, impressed by its masterly fine preparation and finishing. A comparable object, with the utmost probability made by the same hand, was auctioned at Sotheby's London, lot 258, on December 11, 1978 (see Yale, GVR-Archives, Registration Nr. 0034360~01). Accordingly, the present figure can be imagined as half figure with fabric loin cloth and a further opening for insertion of magical substances in the area of the abdomen. Collected in situ before 1974 the head fragment was part of a belgian private collection.
This pair of figure (Lot 386) is located to the eastern Bangwa, Cameroon Grassfields, and has been collected around 1930 by Aloys Faust, gallery owner from Cologne, for his private collection. Cult objects of the Bangwa, also saved as couple, are rare and have realized remarkable knock down prices in the last years.
Carved of an outstandinig good quality, this postfigure (Lot 412) of Basikasingo, D.R. Congo, is characterised by minimalism, stripped down to its fundamental features. Cult objects of Basikasingo can only be found relatively rare in the art market.
Rare as well and due to the small ethnical group, this female figure of Mbala (Lot 457) is made of high-quality. It originated a chiefs' treasure.
Imagine this figure lying on the backside, you will realise an unusual drinking receptacle for palm wine of the Koro, Nigeria (Lot 309). Even the old collection label of the Swiss gallery owner, Ulrich von Schroeder, Zurich, can be seen at the bottom "AF 242 VON SCHROEDER” of the vessel.
Compact, rough, earthy, but full of noblesse at once: seeing this ancestor figure of the Kaka, Cameroon, one is reminded of the art world by Art Brût (Lot 388). It represents the great African expressionist movement that extends from the Bénué to the Cameroonian Grassfields. Traces of libation indicate a long use in cult. Exceptionally as well is the motif of a male figure with a child on his back.
From the private collection, Dr. phil. Roland Hartmann (*1922 – 2007), St. Gallen, Switzerland, there will be auctioned some 34 objects, beginning with (Lot 73) to lot 106. Trading in antiquarian bookseller, Roland Hartmann was one of the well-known experts of ancient folios and books. As passionate connoisseur of old cultures and writings as well as member of the commission of the Ethnological Museum St. Gallen, he has gained high respect and reputation far beyond the borders of his country.
Focusing his main research on the combination of art and ritual, the objects of Yoruba, Nigeria, took a special place in his collection, among them the Eshu cult, shown on a variety of oracle boards 'opon ifa', which are documenting at the same time the diversity of their regional styles. The Shango cult is represented by a couple of dance staffs. Already by the sixties he acquired the granary shutter, Dogon, Mali (Lot 74), documenting his exceeding knowledge in rituals and the notion to form and substance.
The catalogue offers a diversity of interesting objects, including a large number of outstanding provenance.
Among them, the 'akuma' mask of the Jukun, Nigeria (Lot 307). Reduced to its essentials, it once belonged to the collection of Jacques Kerchache, Paris. Kerchache, who had taken a decisive influence on the realization of the Musée du Quai Branly, chose this mask for the famous exhibition on the occasion of the Olympic Games, 1972, in Munich. Masks of the Jukun are very rare. The excellent patina also proves its long use in the cult.
Also very expressive, a wild-looking guardian figure 'byeri', Fang, Gabun (Lot 391). It has long been used in the rite and at the moment of ritual, statues were smeared with several different unguents of blood and oil. Very rarely among Fang figures is the visible round cavity at the back, filled with magical substancesis.
Dated around 1900, this male ancestor figure 'blolo bian', Baule, Ivory Coast, is characterised by its early, subtle archaic form and a very fine dark brown patina (Lot 178). The special formation of its eyes locates this figure as one of the Sakassou region. Before entering a private collection in Germany, it once belonged to Philippe Guimot, Brussels, one of the major tribal art dealers.
The head fragment of this 'nkisi' fetish figure (Lot 471) of the Songe, D.R. Congo, impressed by its masterly fine preparation and finishing. A comparable object, with the utmost probability made by the same hand, was auctioned at Sotheby's London, lot 258, on December 11, 1978 (see Yale, GVR-Archives, Registration Nr. 0034360~01). Accordingly, the present figure can be imagined as half figure with fabric loin cloth and a further opening for insertion of magical substances in the area of the abdomen. Collected in situ before 1974 the head fragment was part of a belgian private collection.
This pair of figure (Lot 386) is located to the eastern Bangwa, Cameroon Grassfields, and has been collected around 1930 by Aloys Faust, gallery owner from Cologne, for his private collection. Cult objects of the Bangwa, also saved as couple, are rare and have realized remarkable knock down prices in the last years.
Carved of an outstandinig good quality, this postfigure (Lot 412) of Basikasingo, D.R. Congo, is characterised by minimalism, stripped down to its fundamental features. Cult objects of Basikasingo can only be found relatively rare in the art market.
Rare as well and due to the small ethnical group, this female figure of Mbala (Lot 457) is made of high-quality. It originated a chiefs' treasure.
Imagine this figure lying on the backside, you will realise an unusual drinking receptacle for palm wine of the Koro, Nigeria (Lot 309). Even the old collection label of the Swiss gallery owner, Ulrich von Schroeder, Zurich, can be seen at the bottom "AF 242 VON SCHROEDER” of the vessel.
Compact, rough, earthy, but full of noblesse at once: seeing this ancestor figure of the Kaka, Cameroon, one is reminded of the art world by Art Brût (Lot 388). It represents the great African expressionist movement that extends from the Bénué to the Cameroonian Grassfields. Traces of libation indicate a long use in cult. Exceptionally as well is the motif of a male figure with a child on his back.
From the private collection, Dr. phil. Roland Hartmann (*1922 – 2007), St. Gallen, Switzerland, there will be auctioned some 34 objects, beginning with (Lot 73) to lot 106. Trading in antiquarian bookseller, Roland Hartmann was one of the well-known experts of ancient folios and books. As passionate connoisseur of old cultures and writings as well as member of the commission of the Ethnological Museum St. Gallen, he has gained high respect and reputation far beyond the borders of his country.
Focusing his main research on the combination of art and ritual, the objects of Yoruba, Nigeria, took a special place in his collection, among them the Eshu cult, shown on a variety of oracle boards 'opon ifa', which are documenting at the same time the diversity of their regional styles. The Shango cult is represented by a couple of dance staffs. Already by the sixties he acquired the granary shutter, Dogon, Mali (Lot 74), documenting his exceeding knowledge in rituals and the notion to form and substance.
