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African tribal

African Tribal Art Highlighted in Jasper52 Auction on Aug. 21

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Art carved wood Teke mask from Congo, est. $200-$300. Jasper52 image
Art carved wood Teke mask from the Congo, est. $200-$300. Jasper52 image

 

NEW YORK – Nearly 40 hand-carved wooden African tribal masks are featured in an Aug. 21 no reserve, online-only auction delivered by Jasper52. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available exclusively through LiveAuctioneers.

Lot 37 is a colorful wooden mask carved by the Teke people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Tribal members responsible for organizing celebrations and sacred rituals are often the wearers of the Teke masks. This example of a Teke mask (above) enters with an estimate of $200-$300.

The large (18 1/2 inches high by 10 inches wide) mask featured in Lot 10 is a Bamileke Mask from Cameroon. The Bamileke people also donned masks during rituals and celebrations including: planting and harvesting seasons and at the beginning of annual hunts. This large-scale mask (below) has an estimate of $500-$600.

 

Large carved wood Bamileke mask from Cameroon, est. $500-$600. Jasper52 image
Large carved wood Bamileke mask from Cameroon, est. $500-$600. Jasper52 image

 

The Kuba cloth featured in Lot 43 (below) is one of four such art textiles in this auction. It features various geometric shapes, which are commonly represented in Kuba cloth weavings. It has been said that the patterns depicted in textiles made by the Kuba people serve as inspiration for artists of the modernism movement. Its estimate is $300-$400.

 

Kuba cloth measuring 109 inches long x 25 inches wide, est. $300-$400. Jasper52 image
Kuba cloth measuring 109 inches long x 25 inches wide, est. $300-$400. Jasper52 image

 

The people of the Yaka tribe reside in the southwestern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A number of carved wooden items, like the gong presented in Lot 41, are utilized for various purposes. The gong measures 11 inches high by 2 1/4 inches wide and has an estimate of $200-$300.

 

Art carved wood Yaka gong, est. $200-$300. Jasper52 image
Art carved wood Yaka gong, est. $200-$300. Jasper52 image

 

Lot 42 is one of two fertility dolls offered in Sunday’s auction. Namji dolls like the one pictured here are given to young females of the Namji tribe of Cameroon. The hand-carved dolls were most often adorned with beads, metal rings, shells, and other materials. Not only are the dolls ceremonially presented to assure fertility, but also as a means of teaching young females to care for the doll as they would a baby. This doll (below) has an estimate of $200-$300.

 

Carved wood Namji doll, est. $200-$300. Jasper52 image
Carved wood Namji doll, est. $200-$300. Jasper52 image

 

Jasper52 sales are no-reserve events. Bidding on all lots begin at $1. View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live on LiveAuctioneers.