Chokwe, Dem. Rep. of Congo: an old dignitary staff or a sceptre, with the figure of a kneeling woman above.
Chokwe, Dem. Rep. of Congo: an old dignitary staff or a sceptre, with the figure of a kneeling woman above.
The Chokwe live in Angola and across the border in the Congo and in Zambia. According to information from the consigner of this old dignitary staff (or sceptre), someone who travelled to the Congo, this object originates from the Chokwe in the Kwilu-Kasai region of the Congo. The staff (or sceptre) and its figure were carved from light-coloured, lightweight wood and originally coloured brownish-black. The kneeling woman displays on her forehead the typical ‘cingelyengelye’ tribal mark (a sort of ‘Maltese cross’), she wears a cap and a broad neck collar, as well as decorative scarification marks on her abdomen and back. Below, the upper part of the staff displays geometric, recessed relief patterns.
On the lower half of the staff, a snake winds its way from the bottom to the top, between thick spirals. A beautiful and interesting piece. Colours scuffed as a result of long use. Otherwise no damage. With good, old usage patina. Length: 84 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
06.04.2017 - 15:00
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 300.-
Chokwe, Dem. Rep. of Congo: an old dignitary staff or a sceptre, with the figure of a kneeling woman above.
The Chokwe live in Angola and across the border in the Congo and in Zambia. According to information from the consigner of this old dignitary staff (or sceptre), someone who travelled to the Congo, this object originates from the Chokwe in the Kwilu-Kasai region of the Congo. The staff (or sceptre) and its figure were carved from light-coloured, lightweight wood and originally coloured brownish-black. The kneeling woman displays on her forehead the typical ‘cingelyengelye’ tribal mark (a sort of ‘Maltese cross’), she wears a cap and a broad neck collar, as well as decorative scarification marks on her abdomen and back. Below, the upper part of the staff displays geometric, recessed relief patterns.
On the lower half of the staff, a snake winds its way from the bottom to the top, between thick spirals. A beautiful and interesting piece. Colours scuffed as a result of long use. Otherwise no damage. With good, old usage patina. Length: 84 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 06.04.2017 - 15:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 01.04. - 06.04.2017 |