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THBRare 20th C. African Gabon Kota Wood Guardian Figure
Lot 151
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
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$3,000 - $4,500
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| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
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| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Jul 14, 2022
Set Reminder
2022-07-14 10:00:00
2022-07-14 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities Ethnographica Fine Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-ethnographica-fine-art-9692
Museum-worthy examples of classical antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Viking, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine / Visual Arts, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Museum-worthy examples of classical antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Viking, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine / Visual Arts, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (380)
- Lot Description
Central Africa, Gabon, Kota peoples, Mahongwe group, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A fascinating reliquary figure known as an mbulu ngulu, hand-carved from wood to present a stylized visage with an elaborate headdress, all enveloped in a creamy white pigment. The teardrop-shaped head rests atop a lengthy, bulbous neck on a discoid base with 4 downward pointing spikes, presumably for attachment to funerary bundles. The evocative countenance gazes forward, presenting slender eyes beneath an arched brow, a triangular nose, a narrow chin, and an open mouth with 1 row of square teeth. A crescent-shaped adornment crowns the headdress, which surrounds the head with a rounded top and an undulating lower periphery. Size: 5.6" W x 15.2" H (14.2 cm x 38.6 cm); 16.3" H (41.4 cm) on included custom stand.
According to the Saint Louis Art Museum, "It is thought that the figurative form of the mbulu ngulu was intended to reinforce and communicate the reliquary's intense power. The Kota used reliquary guardian figures to protect and identify the revered bones of family ancestors. The Kota believed that the relics of important men and women retain power after death, providing protection and good fortune to an individual's descendants. The remains were preserved in containers made of bark or basketry. The mbulu ngulu stood atop this bundle, bound to it at the figure's lozenge-shaped base."
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private California, USA collection; ex Heritage Auctions
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.
#172457Losses to proper right side of base and right front and back spikes. Minor chip to nose. Some expected abrasions and stable hairline fissures. Otherwise, excellent with liberal remains of pigment.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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