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THB20th C. Central African Kuba Wood Portrait Cup
Lot 109
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Categories
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$800 - $1,200
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Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Feb 10, 2022
Set Reminder
2022-02-10 10:00:00
2022-02-10 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-art-through-the-ages-8873
Join us for Part Two of a spotlight on two fabulous collections, one from Lumberton, Texas, and the other from Whisnant Gallery in New Orleans. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Join us for Part Two of a spotlight on two fabulous collections, one from Lumberton, Texas, and the other from Whisnant Gallery in New Orleans. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (349)
- Lot Description
Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kuba peoples, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A fascinating carved-wood cup in the form of a human head. Sitting upon a circular base, the curious visage presents a pair of huge, almond-shaped eyes under an arched brow, a prominent nose, full lips held closed, and a pointed chin, all flanked by a pair of high-set, circular ears. Several striations of incised grid pattern representing ceremonial scarification adorn the face, lining the brow, cheeks, and sides of the head. His coiffure is intricately carved with geometric, striated, and zigzag motifs, while the top of his head opens up to the rim of the vessel. The head is supported by a thick neck that forms the base and features additional designs of scarification, as well as a hollowed-out area on the verso. Size: 3.9" W x 8.1" H (9.9 cm x 20.6 cm); 9.8" H (24.9 cm) on included custom stand.
The Kuba kingdom was founded in the early seventeenth century and consisted of an elaborate, merit-based system of courtly titles in which positions of power were awarded rather than inherited. Due to this, aristocratic members of the Kuba kingdom frequently commissioned refined personal accessories, such as this example, to display their achievements. Anthropomorphic cups like this one would have been used by the elite to demonstrate their wealth and generosity by distributing large quantities of palm wine to their friends and associates. This wonderful vessel exhibits several traditional Kuba characteristics, such as a closed mouth reflecting the belief that thought should precede speech, raised cicatrizes on the temples representing cultural refinement, and a shaved hairline that frames the forehead, which was believed to be the seat of wisdom and insight.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Ali and Florence Hall Abssi collection, Texas, USA
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#169124Chipping to rim as well as expected nicks and abrasions throughout. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice patina and impressive detail.Condition
- Shipping Info
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All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Gallery will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please inquire BEFORE bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.
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