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LOT 2362
African Wooden Ceremonial Face Mask
CHOKWE TRIBE, 20TH CENTURY A.D.
11 1/4 in. (525 grams, 28.5 cm).
Carved and decorated with lengths of fiber representing hair, small nose, carved teeth and scarification marks. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom Western Ivory Coast and into Liberia, West Africa.
From the private collection of the late Brian Morley; acquired in the 1950s.
From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
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AUCTIONS:
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African Brass Manilla Slave Bracelet
Okombo Tribe, late 19th-early 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
Penannular in profile and round in section with integral pellet and wire detailing. 248 grams, 10.5 cm
From Nigeria, West Africa. From an old Derby, UK, specialist collection. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
Also known as okpoho, Okombo or abi. Once a form of currency for West African peoples, manillas became one of the main currencies of choice during the slave trade to the Americas. Their usage during this time in history was of such prevalence that they were often referred to as “slave trade money.” The Manilla is in very good condition and measures 105mm wide and weighs about 250gms. Manillas are typically horse shoe-shaped with flared ends and often decorated with balls on each end. Africans from each region had names for each variety of manilla and were very particular about the types they would accept. They valued the Manillas by the sound they made when struck and used them as the dominant form of currency for many things including everyday market purchases, bride price and burials. The main purpose of the manilla – the trading and purchase of slaves- fostered a system where the incoming voyage of Europeans took manillas to West Africa to obtain slaves, who were then taken to the Americas. The price of a slave valued in manillas varied depending on the time, place and type being offered. -
African Bronze Leopard Figure Pair
Edo Tribe, 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Two lost wax bronze cast decorated standing leopards. 943 grams total, 13.4-13.5 cm wide
From Benin. From the late Brian Morley collection, 1950s. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
The leopard is a motif that occurs throughout many of the Benin Bronzes as it is the animal who symbolises both the Oba (king) and justice. -
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.
