African Art Collection Auction Ending 10/6

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NKONDI NAIL FETISH. Kongo people, Democratic Republic of Congo. This sculpture represents an anthropomorphic spirit who punishes a sorcerer who has cast a spell on a person. The power of the sculpture is enhanced by its intense gaze resulting from glass eyes. The nails hammered into the wooden figure, the mirror, and various magical objects, called Nkissi, are attached at the direction of a ritual specialist seeking assistance from the spirit. H28in. W10in. Wood, metal, mirror, glass, cloth, fiber. See “The Tribal Arts of Africa” by J-B Bacquart 1998 pp. 128-129.

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CEREMONIAL GONG. Grasslands people, Cameroon. The two bells of differing sizes are joined by an arching leather-clad iron handle. It was rung at various ceremonial occasions such as announcing the arrival of a King. H 29in. W19in. Made from hand forged, locally smelted native iron ore and leather.

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IBEJI TWINS. Yoruba people, Nigeria. Prized by collectors, these miniature female and male figures clad in robes adorned with cowrie shells represent deceased twins. Because the spirits of twins strongly influence the lives of Yoruba people, the sculptures are honored with libations and prayers. The taller female twin has braided hair pulled in an arch over her head. Beneath the robes are fully sculpted female and male bodies. H11.25in. W6.5in. H10.75in. W6in. Wood, cowrie shells, cloth, pigment.

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ARCHER’S WRIST GUARD. Tutsi people, Rwanda/Burundi. On custom base. H12in. W5in. Wood with copper inserts.

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ASAFO MILITIA COMPANY FLAG. Fante people, Ghana. This flag shows members of a No. 2 Company cooperating in moving a load. Stocking caps they are wearing, part of the regalia of some Asafo Companies, are rarely seen on flags. The canton is inspired by the British Union Jack. H38in. W66in. Cotton textile. Hand sewn appliquéd figures with hand embroidered details with identical images on both sides of the flag. See “Emblems of Power. Asafo Flags from Ghana” by Mary S. and Paul P. Rosen 2014. This 103 page color illustrated book can be purchased exclusively from the authors at ppr2001@med.cornell.edu. Post paid price in U.S. $25.00; post paid price outside U.S. $35.00.

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CALABASH STRING PUPPET. Ghana. Calabash puppets are used for entertainment in Ghana, including televised programs for children and adults. This puppet is clad in wax resist dyed cloth made in Ghana labeled “American Wax”. Mounted on a custom base. H19in. W10in. Calabash, string, cloth, bamboo, cowrie shells.

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PICTORIAL BOGOLAN (MUD CLOTH) TEXTILE. Bamana people, Mali. This textile depicts a scene from traditional village life. On the right, a man with a hoe on his shoulder is striding to his fields accompanied by a dog with a bone in its mouth. On the left a woman is stirring a pot of food and in the center an elder man sitting against a tree points to a bowl of millet that sustains the family. This image was hand drawn and hand painted on hand woven cotton country cloth. H64in. W39in. See”Bogolanfini Mud Cloth” by S. Hilu and I. Hersey 2005 for other examples of pictorial bogolan textiles.

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NDOMA PORTRAIT FACE MASK. Baule people, Ivory Coast. This finely carved mask depicts the face of an idealized beautiful woman with her hair gathered in 4 buns tied together at the top of her head. Masks such as this are worn in entertainment dances. Traditional scarifications are present on the face. The mask is held in place by a rubber strap and a wooden bar the wearer grasps in his mouth. H16.5in H7in. Wood, rubber, pigment.

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OKUY FACE MASK. Punu people, Gabon. This mask depicts the face of a deceased female ancestor who returns as a guardian spirit when the mask is danced. The masker is a member of the Okuy Society who performs acrobatic feats on stilts at funerals and other ceremonies. H12.5in W7.5in. Wood, pigment. See “Masks from West and Central Africa” by Mary S. and Paul P. Rosen 2013 pp.164-169.

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WOMAN’S WRAP. Dogon people, Mali. Made from 8 hand woven, hand sewn dark indigo resist dyed strips. Exceptionally soft, tightly woven textile with hand sewn fringes at the ends. W40in. H60in. Cotton.

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STRING PUPPET. Ewe people, Ghana/Togo. Collected in Lomé, Togo. The puppet is dressed in contemporary African wax print cloth. H11in. W5.5in. Wood, cloth, string, metal, leather.

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KIDUMU SOCIETY FACE MASK. Teke people, Democratic Republic of Congo/Gabon. These masks are worn at various ceremonies including funerals of Chiefs. H12.5in. W13.5in. Wood, pigment.

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ELU FACE MASK. Ogoni people, Nigeria. The mask has an articulated jaw that can be opened and closed by the masker. Various objects appear on top of Elu masks, such as the bird in this case. The mouth is shaped like a bird beak. Teeth are represented by a nail. H13in. W9.5in. Wood, pigment, nail, leather. See “Masks from West and Central Africa” by Mary S. and Paul P. Rosen 2013 pp.108-117.

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NGIL FACE MASK. Fang people, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon. Worn by members of the Ngil Society, these masks appear at night illuminated by torchlight. This mask is less abstract than the Ngil mask in Lot #2 and it probably served a different ceremonial purpose. Scarifications are indicated on both cheeks. W10.5in. H6.5in. Wood, pigment. See “Masks from West and Central Africa” by Mary S. and Paul P. Rosen 2013 p.172.

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OLD WEST AFRICAN CURRENCY BRACELETS (3). (A)Twisted flat copper wire circle 3.5in. (B) Cast copper arch with striations and wide flanged ends having diamond-shaped , decorations 3in. (C) Cast brass arch with central knot and asymmetric arms. 3in. Each bracelet mounted on a custom base.

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AQUATIC GOLD WEIGHTS (3). Ivory Coast/Ghana. Fish 3in. Crocodile pin 4in. Coiled mudfish 2.25in. All cast brass. See “A History of Art in Africa’” 2001 pp.204-205.

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TERRESTRIAL GOLD WEIGHTS (3). Ivory Coast/Ghana. Land turtle with object in its mouth 3in. Seated horse on pedestal 2in. Pair of long-legged shore birds 2.5in. All cast brass. See “A History of Art in Africa” 2001 pp. 204-205.

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SUN PENDANT. Bamana people, Mali. This prized hollow, circular pendant with radial spokes representing the rays of the sun is suspended from a leather loop. Designs on the spokes represent flames and the heat of the sun. Creating this hollow symmetrical object in brass by the lost wax casting process is a feat of craftsmanship. H2.5in.

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WEDDING BLANKET. Fulani people, Mali/Niger. The blanket is made from 11 hand woven, hand sewn strips. The numerous embroidered tufts and tassels are a characteristic feature of these textiles which are given as wedding presents. Fulani wedding blanket textiles are rarely available to collectors. H93in. W61in. Cotton textile.

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LULUA MATERNITY FIGURE. Lulua people, Democratic Republic of Congo. These figures were used by members of the Bwanga Bwa Cibola Society to ensure fertility and assist a mother during and after the birth of a child. Lulua sculptures are noted for an elongated neck and head, as well as arms that are much longer than the legs. This finely carved figure is mounted on a custom base. H16in. W3.75in. Wood, pigment. See “The Tribal Arts of Africa” by J-B. Bacquart 1998 pp.180-181.