African Art Collection Auction Ending 11/30

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WOMAN’S DANCE SKIRT PANEL. Kuba people, Shoowa tribe, Democratic Republic of Congo. Unusual features of this hand woven, cut pile, embroidered textile are the checkerboard-like elements, the use of red pigment, and the complex interlocking geometric designs. Raffia, cotton thread, pigment. L 80in. W 23in. See Gillow 2003 pp. 196-197.

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HEADDRESS MASK. Budja people, Democratic Republic of Congo. This mask is the abstract representation of a mythical animal with features of an antelope and a cockatoo-like bird. It is attached to a nest-like basket woven from plant fibers. Abrus precatorius seeds are embedded in a resinous material at the top of the crest. On custom base. Wood, pigment, plant fibers, resin, Abrus seeds. H 19in. Exhibited at Free Library Gallery Philadelphia 2012. Published in Rosen, Rosen 2013 p. 178 Fig. 251. See Bacquart 1998 p. 136.

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HEAD CREST MASK. Temne people, Sierra Leone. The base of this blue Ode-Lay Society mask displays three female faces. Arching upward is the bust of a fierce composite animal with the body of a snake, the head of a goat, and the horns of an antelope. A voluminous costume enveloping the wearer was hung from nails in the base. Wood, paint, nails. H 29in (without horns). Exhibited Free Library Gallery Philadelphia 2012. Published in Rosen, Rosen 2013 p. 73 Figs. 90-91.

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APPLIQUED WALL HANGING. Fon people, Benin. This textile displays a variety of hand sewn colorful images referring to the power of the Fon kings. The lion is the symbol of King Gelele and the shark refers to King Gbehanzin. The tradition for these wall hangings dates from the mid-18th century. Cotton cloth. L 64in. W 29in. See Gillow 2003 p.95.

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HAND AND STRING PUPPETS. Ghana. (A) Male hand puppet with calabash head and hands, cowrie shell eyes, wood pipe, and colorful wax print cloth. Custom base. H 17in. (B) Female string puppet articulated at shoulders, elbows, waist, hips, and knees. Wears wax print dress and kerchief and white sandals. H 15.5in.

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INDIGO DYED ADIRE ALEKO CLOTH. Yoruba people, Nigeria. The designs are hand drawn with lafun starch resist paste on a square grid before the cloth is immersed in indigo dye. It is signed on the reverse side “SK” with a wagon wheel-like symbol. Several squares have the inscription “O.M. OLEREAIYEO”. Cotton cloth. L 75in. W 66in. See Gillow 2003 pp. 78-82.

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CEREMONIAL WRAP (DUNA) AND WEAVING SWORD. Nupe people, Nigeria. (A) Fringed Duna cloths were used at weddings to wrap around the shoulders of the bride and groom to denote the formation of a new family. Woven by a woman on an upright loom, it consists of 2 broad strips that are joined by hand selvedge to selvedge. In addition to abstract designs of symbolic significance, there are images of ducks. Hand woven cotton cloth. L 76in. W 50in. See Gllow 2003 pp. 56-57. (B) Nupe weaving sword of the type used to weave a Duna cloth with a figural head. The notch at the pointed end is used to hold yarn when it is passed between warp threads. Excellent patina from long use. Wood L 32in.

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BRACELETS (4) AND PENDANT (1). (A) Beaded bangle. Bamana people, Mali. Collected in Dejenne. 3.25in. (B) Silver alloy bracelet with incised black designs. Taureg people, Mali. 2.5in. (C) Brass bracelet with stamped designs. Made from melted obsolete coins. Collected in Accra Ghana. 2.5in. (D) Twisted copper, brass and iron. Kenya 2.75in. (E) Pendant. Asante people, Ghana. Brass. 2.75in.

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KIFWEBE FACE MASK. Songye people, Democratic Republic of Congo. Kifwebe masks were danced at funerals for deceased members of the Bwadi Society, initiations of new members, healing ceremonies, and to intimidate enemies. More recently, they appear at entertainments. Lacking a prominent sagittal crest, this is an old female mask with finely carved channels. Much of the red pigment on the protruding mouth and the white pigment on the surface has been lost over time. Wood, pigment. H 23in. See Rosen, Rosen 2013 pp. 174-77 and Bacquart 1998 pp.168-69.

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MODEL OF COFFIN. Ga people, Ghana. This model for a fisherman’s coffin was collected from the shop of the famous coffin-maker, Paa Joe, in Teshie, Ghana east of Accra. The hinged back with dorsal fin swings open to expose the space for the body. Paa Joe is world famous for having created such novel coffins in such shapes as a Mercedes car for a taxi driver, a screw driver for a carpenter, an onion for a famer, and a Coke bottle for a soft drink salesman. His coffins have been widely exhibited in museums and galleries. Wood, paint, hinge. L 16.25in. H 7.5in.

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SEATED CHIEF. Ewe people, Ghana. Wood, paint. H 12.5in.

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MALE ANCESTOR FIGURE. Luba people, Kasongo Democratic Republic of Congo. The long beard is a sign of wisdom and age. Wood, pigment. H 13.5in.

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CEREMONIAL AX. Lobi people, Burkina Faso. The handle is in the form of a cobra. The base of the shaft is encircled by a snake, crocodiles appear mid-shaft, and frogs are at the top. The opening in the blade displays a chameleon. On custom base. Cast brass H 14.5in. Weight 2.2lbs.

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WOMEN’S INDIGO WRAPS (3). Dafing people, Burkina Faso. Made from hand sewn strips hand woven with indigo-dyed cotton yarn. All extremely soft from repeated washing yet retaining vibrant blue color. (A) Design of alternating pale stripes and bands. L 60in. W 36in. (B) Tie dyed block pattern with Xs at ends. L 60in. W 45in. (C) Pale narrow stripes and 2 broad bands. Native repairs. L 55in. W 33in.

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MAMI WATA FETISH STATUE. Fante people, Ghana. Mami Wata is called Mamme Water in Ghana. She is an African divinity worshipped throughout West and Central Africa, and parts of South and East Africa, the Caribbean Islands and parts of Latin America, she is associated with snakes and water. Her powers relate to wealth, morality and health all of which can be enhanced or denied depending on a person’s behavior and the way in which she is worshipped. On custom base. Wood, paint. H 16in. See Drewal 2008 pp. 170-87.

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CEREMONIAL AX (ZAPOZAP). Luba people, Democratic Republic of Congo. Carried as a status symbol. On custom base. Wood, iron. H 14.5in.

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KPELIYE FACE MASK. Senufo people, Ivory Coast. This finely carved mask is surmounted by a hornbill bird and the horns of a buffalo. A peg-like beard protrudes below the mouth and bent legs support the bottom. This mask appears at Poro Society ceremonies. Wood, pigment. H 12in. See Bacquart 1998 p. 74.

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ASAFO MILITIA FLAG. Fante people, Ghana. This old flag probably dates from the 1930s. It celebrates the multiple roles of the Asafo Company Chief. The seated figure refers to his judicial function and the standing figure with a sword indicates his military prowess. The third figure holds a round object covered with dots. This image refers to members of a rival Company who are often depicted as harmless ants, as in the proverb, “When an egg falls among black ants, let it lie, for they will walk all over it without causing the egg harm”. The canton is a modified Union Jack. Cotton textile, hand sewn with embroidered details. Native repairs consisting of hand sewn patches one of which is damask. L 55.5in. W 34in. Exhibited Free Library Gallery Philadelphia 2013 and SMA Fathers Museum of African Art Tenafly NJ 2014. Published in “Emblems of Power. Asafo Flags from Ghana” by MS Rosen and PP Rosen 2013 p. 85. This book is only available from the authors at ppr2001@med.cornell.edu.

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MAN’S KENTE ROBE. Ewe people, Agbozume Ghana. Old cloth consisting of 20 hand woven and hand sewn strips all having the same warp design. Set against this background are weft blocks of varying size and prominence distributed in a dramatic asymmetric pattern. Cotton. L 93in. W 66in. See Gillow 2003 pp. 38-42.

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CEREMONIAL PRESTIGE AX. Kirdi people, Nigeria/Cameroon. Reportedly used as brideprice in Obomasso village, Nigeria. Said to resemble the head of an antelope. Early 20th century. On custom base. Iron, copper wire. H 12.5in. W13.75in.