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LOT 2364
African Wooden Ceremonial Face Mask
KAMBA TRIBE, MID-LATE 20TH CENTURY A.D.
17 3/4 in. (802 grams, 45 cm).
Carved wooden mask, leaf-shaped in plan with reserved nose and mouth, angled elliptical slots to the eyes, remains of pigment. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom Kenya, East Africa.
From the private collection of Mr N.J., Leicester, UK; acquired circa 2010.
From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
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AUCTIONS:
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African Wooden 'Akuaba Doll' Wedding Fertility Figure Pair
Ashanti Tribe, early-mid 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
Each with exaggerated discoid head, squat body with stub arms, standing on a conical base. 985 grams total, 36-36.5 cm
From Ghana, West Africa. Ex private Cheshire, UK, collection. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
Among the Ashanti people in Ghana, women hoping for offspring carry these ‘Akuaba dolls’ in their clothes. Traditionally, these ‘Akuaba’ have a large, round, flat head that is reminiscent of its origin as a representation of the moon goddess, which is associated with fertility. Once the ‘Akuaba’ figure has fulfilled its purpose, the mother of the desired child places it on her domestic altar, where it is worshipped in a shrine, or she passes it on to the next generation. -
African Wooden Ritual Cup
Senufo Tribe, 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Comprising a cotton-reel-shaped body with stylised figural handles carved in the round, one male and one female, each facing the other with chin resting on the rim of the cup, arms embracing the bowl, legs spread around the foot, frieze of interlocking combed triangles around the stem. 940 grams, 18.5 cm wide
From Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa. Acquired Nairobi, Kenya, 1997. Property of a Manchester, UK, collector. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman. -
African Wooden Ancestor Figure
Baule Tribe, early-mid 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
A hand-carved standing female figure with hands placed by the side, some scarification and wearing arm rings. 1.06 kg, 48.5 cm
From Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa. From an old Bristol, UK, ethnographical collection. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
The Baule are noted for their fine wooden sculpture, particularly for their ritual figures representing spirits; these are associated with the ancestor cult. The figures and human masks are often elegant, well polished with elaborate hairdressings and scarification.
