African Art Auction Ending 2/18

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Ethiopian processional cross with painted icons of Saints. Carried in procession and displayed on altars. Painted icons on front under hinged covers. Metal alloy (nickel, copper, silver, etc). 19in.

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Ethiopian processional cross depicting angels. Carried in procession and displayed on altars. Similar designs on both sides. Metal alloy (nickel, copper, silver, etc.) 16in.

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Ethiopian personal processional cross. Carried in procession and displayed on personal altar. Similar designs on both sides. Metal alloy (nickel, copper, silver, etc.) 9in.

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Ethiopian hand-held cross with rectangular amulet-like form at custom base. Similar designs on both sides. Metal alloy (nickel, copper, silver, etc.) 11.25in.

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Slingshot depicting female figure on custom base. Ivory Coast. 6.5in tall. See “Potomo Waka” by Jean Paul Delcourt and Giovanni Scanzi for illustrated discussion of African slingshots.

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Slingshot depicting elongated female figure on custom base. Initials of owner (“IFF”) incised below legs on front. Ivory Coast. 8in. tall. See “Potomo Waka” by Jean Paul Delcourt and Giovanni Scanzi for illustrated discussion of African slingshots.

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Anthropomorphic heddle pulley used for weaving strip cloth cotton textiles. In tact with wooden spool on custom base. Senufo people, Ivory Coast. 6in. tall. Exhibited at Pen and Brush Gallery, New York 2006.

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Ladder. Mossi people. Burkina Faso. H 53in. W 17in. at top.

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Head crest mask (Wan-Noraogo). Mossi people, Burkina Faso. 18.5in. Mask depicts a rooster and is worn on top of the head. Exhibited in Free Library Gallery, Philadelphia 2012. Published in “Masks from West and Central Africa” by Mary Sue and Paul Rosen, 2014, Fig 134 p. 101.

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Passport masks (2). Dan people, Liberia. 4.75in. 4.0in.

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Passport masks (2). Dan People, Liberia. 4.0in., 3.75in.

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Asafo Militia flag depicting a three-headed dragon representing a No.1 Asafo Company that has defeated and beheaded a member of a rival Company. Message: Whether you run away or hide, we will destroy you. Proverb: Will you fly or will you vanish? Either way you cannot escape. The appliquéd figures are hand sewn with embroidered details. The canton is a British Union Jack. Cotton textile. 53.5in.X 39.5in. Exhibited Free Library of Philadelphia Gallery, 2013. Published in Emblems of Power: Asafo Flags from Ghana by Mary Sue and Paul P Rosen p. 68, Fig. 52.

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Asafo Militia flag depicting a European steamship with two masts that is able to overcome storms as it crosses vast oceans, a metaphor for the readiness of the Company to respond when threatened. The sailor standing on the bow sounding the depth of the water challenges a rival Company to test the No.1 Company as does the Captain on the bridge of the ship speaking through a horn. Message: With this flag, the No.1 Asafo Company announces that it is ready to confront any domestic or military challenge. Proverb: Our ship can carry a load of any size. The field consists of two pieces. There is a patch in the lower corner of the field at the fly end. The figures are hand sewn with embroidered details. Cotton textile. 56.5 in. X 36.5 in. Exhibited Free Library of Philadelphia Gallery, 2013. Published in Emblems of Power: Asafo Flags from Ghana by Mary Sue and Paul P Rosen p. 73, Fig. 61.

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Asafo Militia flag depicting three members of the No. 1 Asafo Company carrying a rifle, drum and sword, respectively, as they confront a rival Company. The No.1 Company appears to be offering a bowl and pot to their rivals as symbols of peaceful intent. Messages: We don’t give up, and we are proud of how far we have come. Although we come in peace, don’t be fooled, as we are prepared for war. Proverb: Yabaan Ramayaaban (We have come and we are sure we have come). The canton is the Ghana national flag. Appliquéd figures hand sewn with embroidered details. Cotton textile. 59in. X 45.5in. Exhibited Free Library of Philadelphia Gallery, 2013.

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Asafo Militia flag that depicts a dog tied to the leg of a chair and five children in playful poses. One child holds a pot, possibly containing palm wine, over his head. The dog represents an Asafo Company elder who is metaphorically inattentive and therefore has failed to maintain order in his organization. Message: Effective leadership is necessary to avoid chaos in the community. Proverbs: When there is no elder in the house, children will misbehave. When a grown-up threatens to punish but fails to do so, the children do not fear him. The canton is a replica of the Ghana national flag. All elements hand sewn with embroidered details. Cotton textile. 47in. X 30.5in. Exhibited Free Library of Philadelphia Gallery, 2013. Published in Emblems of Power: Asafo Flags from Ghana by Mary Sue and Paul P Rosen p. 82, Fig. 80.

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Rare vertical Asafo Militia flag depicting a hen with her flock of seven brown and white chicks. The hen represents the Captain of an Asafo Company, and the chicks are the advisory council traditionally composed of seven elders. Message: Without a strong leader, the Company is as weak as a flock of chicks. Proverb: The hen may step on its chicks, but it does so to protect them, not to harm them. Dating from the early to mid-20th century flag has a narrow solid red border and no fringe. The appliquéd figures are hand sewn with embroidered details. Canvas and cotton textiles. 48in. X 34in. Exhibited Free Library of Philadelphia Gallery, 2013. Published in Emblems of Power: Asafo Flags from Ghana by Mary Sue and Paul P Rosen p. 86, Fig. 87.

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Asafo Militia flag from a No.1 Company depicting a Chief holding an Akan sword standing beneath seven stars and a waning (inverted) crescent moon on a dark blue field that represents the night sky. The seven stars may stand for the members of the Chief’s council that is usually seven in number. Message: Strike when the opportunity is present or success will pass you by. Proverb: The stars are always shining over the town, but the moon is only there a few days before it dies. Appliquéd elements are hand sewn. Cotton textile. 60 in. X 35 in. Exhibited Free Library of Philadelphia Gallery, 2013. Published in Emblems of Power: Asafo Flags from Ghana by Mary Sue Rosen and Paul P Rosen p. 94, Fig. 104.

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Asafo Militia flag depicting a Chief in a patterned robe pointing to an odum tree which is the source of his spiritual powers and authority. A member of the Asafo Company is looking on. Message: All members of the Company are protected by the Chief. Proverb: A Chief is like an odum tree; he has no front or back (he is responsible for everyone). The canton is an unusual modification of the Union Jack. The figures are hand sewn with embroidered details. Cotton textile. 59.5in. X 30.5in.

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Asafo Militia flag depicting a man standing at the top of a ladder brandishing a sword in his left hand and the head of a slain enemy in his right hand over a fire.The red stitching around the sword as well as on and below the right arm that is blood. In the nineteenth century and earlier, it was not unusual to cut off the head of an enemy soldier killed in battle. Message: The flag warns enemies not to mess with this Company. Proverb: Will you fly or will you run? Either way, you can’t get away. The canton is a modified Union Jack. The figures are hand sewn with embroidered details. Cotton textile. 54in. X 34in.

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Asafo Militia flag depicting two No.1 Asafo Company soldiers in procession carrying rifles on their shoulders and baskets on their heads Message: The No. 1 Asafo Company tells a rival that it comes in peace, but it is prepared to deliver a punishing response if provoked. Proverb: Our intent is peaceful, but we are prepared for war. This unusually shaped flag has no canton. Figures hand sewn with embroidered details. The green field has a subtle pattern of horizontal stripes. Cotton textile. 53in. X 41.5in. Exhibited Free Library of Philadelphia Gallery, 2013.