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LOT 2343
African Wooden Ceremonial Face Mask
SALAMPASU TRIBE, EARLY TO MID 20TH CENTURY A.D.
15 3/8 in. (855 grams total, 39 cm including stand).
Piriform and hollow to the reverse, with white-painted lower face, long nose, a square red-painted mouth with carved teeth; mounted on a custom-made stand. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the frontier between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola, Central Africa.
From a private London, UK, ethnographic collection.
From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
Salampasu masks were integral part of the warriors’ society whose primary task was to protect this small enclave against invasions by outside kingdoms.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Central African Brass Smoking Pipe Bowl
Early-mid 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7
Comprising an elongated bowl with rounded rim and bands of integral geometric ornament to the sidewall, drum-shaped foot, angled hoe to accept the drawing pipe. 336 grams, 88 mm
From Cameroon, Cental Africa. From an old Dorset, UK, specialist collection. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
Cameroon had by far the most elaborate smoking culture in Africa and the tobacco pipe was a highly respected item, both as a daily commodity and as an object with solemn ceremonial function. -
Vunikau War Throwing Club
Fiji, 19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
A natural root club with a good patina of age and wear; hide thong for suspension. 391 grams, 34.2 cm
From Fiji, South Pacific. From an old Northern Ireland collection. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
“The club was the Fijian warrior's favourite weapon. He had his spears, from ten to fifteen feet long and often richly carved, efficient bows and arrows, and slings for throwing stones; but, although these had each its special use, none approached the club in popularity.” R. A. Derrick, “Notes on Fijian Clubs, (With a System of Classification)”. -
African Wooden Fertility Figure
Baule Tribe, early-mid 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
A carved standing figure with an elaborate hairstyle tied back with a band; scarification to the face. 904 grams, 35 cm
From Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa. From a Glasgow ethnographical collection; formed 1940s-1950s. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
Baule statues are usually standing on a base with legs slightly bent, with their hands resting on their abdomen in a gesture of peace, and their elongated necks supporting a face with typically raised scarification and bulging eyes.
