Fang, Gabon, South Cameroon: a rare, white ‘asu-nkukh’ mask.
One of the rare Fang masks of the ‘asu-nkukh’ type. Carved in hard, brown wood. The entire, ‘moon-like’, oval-round face is covered with a thick coating of white kaolin (mixed with water). A vertical decorative tattoo on the forehead and the splayed eyebrow arches were originally dyed blue-black, as was the slightly protruding, oval mouth. The slits of the coffee bean eyes, with round pierced pupils, are accentuated with blue. On both temples of the mask two black arrows (scarification marks) point in the direction of the eyes. Also on both cheeks, near the broad, triangular nose, the original, typical tribal scarification marks in the form of four linear spikes pointing upwards can still be recognised. A light crack to the area of the chin and some colour scuffing to the white kaolin coating. Otherwise no damage.
Good and in parts shiny usage patina on the rear, inside.
Height: 23 cm; width: 16.2 cm. First third of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance: French private collection.
Lit.: ‘Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture’ by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 231; ‘Die Kunst des schwarzen Afrika’ by Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, ill. 576.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
06.04.2017 - 15:00
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 3,000.-
Fang, Gabon, South Cameroon: a rare, white ‘asu-nkukh’ mask.
One of the rare Fang masks of the ‘asu-nkukh’ type. Carved in hard, brown wood. The entire, ‘moon-like’, oval-round face is covered with a thick coating of white kaolin (mixed with water). A vertical decorative tattoo on the forehead and the splayed eyebrow arches were originally dyed blue-black, as was the slightly protruding, oval mouth. The slits of the coffee bean eyes, with round pierced pupils, are accentuated with blue. On both temples of the mask two black arrows (scarification marks) point in the direction of the eyes. Also on both cheeks, near the broad, triangular nose, the original, typical tribal scarification marks in the form of four linear spikes pointing upwards can still be recognised. A light crack to the area of the chin and some colour scuffing to the white kaolin coating. Otherwise no damage.
Good and in parts shiny usage patina on the rear, inside.
Height: 23 cm; width: 16.2 cm. First third of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance: French private collection.
Lit.: ‘Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture’ by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 231; ‘Die Kunst des schwarzen Afrika’ by Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, ill. 576.
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 |