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LOT 2377
African Wooden Ceremonial Face Mask
MOSSI TRIBE, EARLY-MID 20TH CENTURY A.D.
31 7/8 in. (779 grams, 81 cm).
Comprising an ellipsoid hollow face with parallel tusks; board of pierced geometric elements. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom Burkina Faso, West Africa.
Private Hampshire, UK, collection of tribal art; acquired in the 1960s.
From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
Masks were regarded as the seat of the spirit, but they might also represent the totemic animal of the clan.
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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New Guinea Wooden House Mask
Papuan, early-mid 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Carved as an elongated face with feather headdress, inlaid with cowrie shells and with hog tusks to the nose; grip handle in front of the mouth. 1.55 kg, 64 cm
Ex Bury St Edmunds, UK, ethnographical collection. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman. -
African Congo Wooden Headrest
Luba Tribe, 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
A carved headrest formed as two opposed kneeling figures each with an arm on the other's shoulder; rectangular base. 485 grams, 20.5 cm high
Ex Walter Steinberg collection; acquired London art market, 1960s-1970s. -
African Wooden Fertility Figure
Bamileke Tribe, early-mid 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Carved in the round naked female with knees flexed standing on a grotesque male head. 1.43 kg, 65 cm
From Cameroon, Central Africa. From the estate of Dr J Bynon. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
This is a carved wooden tribal figure, part of the door frame of the Chief's house, from the Bamileke tribe. A large number of prestigious items of paraphernalia were produced within the Grassland area, including large house-posts, door and window frames carved with human and animal figures, thrones, stools and tables decorated with small heads and figures, large bowls, carved horns for royal feasts, anthropomorphic terracotta and bronze pipes.
