Mongo, Dem. Rep. of Congo: A large, heavy anklet made of bronze, called ‘konga’.
The blacksmiths of the Mongo, in central Congo, cast these heavy anklets in bronze, an alloy of copper and tin. To this purpose, a flat wooden shape is pressed into the sandy ground. A liquid metal cast is then poured into the negative form. Once it has cooled down, the piece is subsequently hammered into the desired cylindrical form by using a wood trunk, and finally adapted to the woman’s leg. Only wealthy women of the Mongo upper class used to wear these anklets. The women’s legs are wrapped in fabrics at the lower edge of the heavy anklet in order to prevent injuries. In central Congo, the ‘konga’ of the Mongo people are also used as valuables and as a form of currency (‘primitive money’). A very old, rare object with noticeable usage patina. Good condition, only slight damage (a short crack, resulting from the act of ‘taking off’ the anklet, a smaller loss on the back). Between c. 1900 and the first third of the 20th century; H: 16 cm, DM: c. 10 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Lit.: ‘The perfect Form’ by Roberto Ballarini, ill. p. 268, 269.
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
05.11.2014 - 13:00
- Stima:
-
EUR 1.200,- a EUR 1.400,-
Mongo, Dem. Rep. of Congo: A large, heavy anklet made of bronze, called ‘konga’.
The blacksmiths of the Mongo, in central Congo, cast these heavy anklets in bronze, an alloy of copper and tin. To this purpose, a flat wooden shape is pressed into the sandy ground. A liquid metal cast is then poured into the negative form. Once it has cooled down, the piece is subsequently hammered into the desired cylindrical form by using a wood trunk, and finally adapted to the woman’s leg. Only wealthy women of the Mongo upper class used to wear these anklets. The women’s legs are wrapped in fabrics at the lower edge of the heavy anklet in order to prevent injuries. In central Congo, the ‘konga’ of the Mongo people are also used as valuables and as a form of currency (‘primitive money’). A very old, rare object with noticeable usage patina. Good condition, only slight damage (a short crack, resulting from the act of ‘taking off’ the anklet, a smaller loss on the back). Between c. 1900 and the first third of the 20th century; H: 16 cm, DM: c. 10 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Lit.: ‘The perfect Form’ by Roberto Ballarini, ill. p. 268, 269.
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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Hotline dell'acquirente
lun-ven: 10.00 - 17.00
kundendienst@dorotheum.at +43 1 515 60 200 |
| Asta: | Tribal Art |
| Tipo d'asta: | Asta in sala |
| Data: | 05.11.2014 - 13:00 |
| Luogo dell'asta: | Wien | Palais Dorotheum |
| Esposizione: | 31.10. - 05.11.2014 |