Luba-Hemba, Rep. of Congo: A Janus figure, called ‘kabeja’.
These double figures, called ‘kabeja', always represent a man and a woman, back to back. They represent the ‘ancestor’ couple of the Hemba people and are preserved exclusively in the houses of the clan and village chiefs, as legitimation of the latter’s status and power as well as for the protection of the clan members. The present ‘kabeja sculpture’ is made of a piece of hard, heavy wood and dyed black. It is stylistically perfect and displays convincing, very old, partly shiny and partly encrusted, black patina! An age-related crack on one side, between both heads. Between c. 1900 and the first third of the 20th century; (ME)
Provenance: French private collection.
Lit.: ‘African Art in American Collections’ by Robbins & Nooter, ill. 1188, 1189, 1190; ‘Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture’ by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 312.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
05.11.2014 - 13:00
- Estimate:
-
EUR 2,400.- to EUR 3,000.-
Luba-Hemba, Rep. of Congo: A Janus figure, called ‘kabeja’.
These double figures, called ‘kabeja', always represent a man and a woman, back to back. They represent the ‘ancestor’ couple of the Hemba people and are preserved exclusively in the houses of the clan and village chiefs, as legitimation of the latter’s status and power as well as for the protection of the clan members. The present ‘kabeja sculpture’ is made of a piece of hard, heavy wood and dyed black. It is stylistically perfect and displays convincing, very old, partly shiny and partly encrusted, black patina! An age-related crack on one side, between both heads. Between c. 1900 and the first third of the 20th century; (ME)
Provenance: French private collection.
Lit.: ‘African Art in American Collections’ by Robbins & Nooter, ill. 1188, 1189, 1190; ‘Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture’ by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 312.
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: | 05.11.2014 - 13:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 31.10. - 05.11.2014 |