Skip to content
faces of tribal art

Jasper52 sale June 10 reveals many faces of tribal art

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
faces of tribal art
Songye neckrest, Democratic Republic Congo, wood, 7¼in x 7¾in x 2½in. Estimate: $2,000-$2,500. Jasper52 image

NEW YORK – A tribal auction that features rare masks and figures from tribes across Africa will be conducted by Jasper52 on Wednesday, June 10. This collection of 122 hand-picked artifacts exhibit significant use in tribal ceremonies and rituals. Bid absentee or live online exclusively through LiveAuctioneers.

The Songye people living in the wooded savannas in the southeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo are artistically known by their fetishes, their kifwebe masks, their caryatid seats, their axes, shields and headrests. A carved wood Songye neck rest is a superb example and supports a $2,000-$2,500 estimate.

Also from the Songye is a large, old kifwebe mask from the collection of a Belgian dealer of African art. The male Kifwebe masks are real modern sculptures with audacious architecture and exuberant shapes that instantly evoke Cubism. Despite defects and repairs it remains a superb mask (est. $1,500-$2,000).

faces of tribal art
Large Songye male Kifwebe mask Democratic Republic Congo, wood, 27½in high. Estimate: $1,500-$2,000. Jasper52 image

Adept at crafts and art, the Yombe people of the Mayombe region on the west coast of Africa produced a carved figure representing a young woman struggling with a gigantic snake. The serpent is said to be the representation of Mbumba, the rainbow, who is the master of the terrestrial waters. The 10-inch-tall figure has a
$2,000-$2,500 estimate.

faces of tribal art
Yombe female figure and snake, Democratic Republic Congo, wood, about 10in high. Estimate: $2,000-$2,500. Jasper52 image

The Dan people of the Ivory Coast are also known for their art, especially mask rituals. A beautiful Dan mask exhibits original asymmetry, especially visible at the chin. The wooden mask measures about 9¾ inches high and has a $2,500-$3,000 estimate.

faces of tribal art
Ivory Coast Dan mask, wood, 9¾in high. Estimate: $2,500-$3,000. Jasper52 image

Cast in bronze using the lost-wax process, a large equestrian statue represents a dignitary of the Kingdom of Benin or one of his guests. Made during the second half of the 20th century, the figure stands nearly 30 inches high and has a $1,200-$1,500 estimate.

faces of tribal art
Large bronze equestrian statue, Nigeria, second half of the 20th century, 29¾in high, 38 pounds. Estimate: $1,200-$1,500. Jasper52 image

The Jasper52 online auction of tribal art will be conducted on Wednesday, June 10, beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern time.

[av_button label=’View the fully illustrated catalog and bid on LiveAuctioneers.’ link=’manually,https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/169855_unique-tribal-art/’ link_target=’_blank’ size=’medium’ position=’center’ label_display=” title_attr=” icon_select=’no’ icon=’ue800′ font=’entypo-fontello’ color=’theme-color’ custom_bg=’#444444′ custom_font=’#ffffff’ av_uid=’av-7ghyyk1′ id=” custom_class=” admin_preview_bg=”]

View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/

 

faces of tribal art