- 6
Sceptre en ivoire, Kongo/Vili, République Démocratique du Congo
Estimate
25,000 - 40,000 EUR
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Description
- Sceptre en ivoire, Kongo/Vili
- ivory (loxodonta Africana)
- haut. 33 cm
- 13 in
Provenance
Collecté par le Dr. Edouard Pechuël-Loesche entre 1873 et 1876
Collection Jay C. Leff, Pensylvania
Sotheby’s, New York, 24 mars 1979, n°135
Collection privée
Collection Jay C. Leff, Pensylvania
Sotheby’s, New York, 24 mars 1979, n°135
Collection privée
Exhibited
Pittsburgh, Carnegie Institute, The Art of Black Africa: Collection of Jay C. Leff, 24 octobre 1969 - 18 janvier 1970
Literature
Pechuël-Loesche, Die Loango Expedition, 1907, p. 365
Carnegie Institute,The Art of Black Africa: Collection of Jay C. Leff, 1969, n°267
Lehuard, Art Bakongo. Insigne de pouvoir, le sceptre, 1998, p. 1024-1027, n° V1 et V2
Felix, White Gold, Black Hands, 2011, p. 72, n°602 a et b
Carnegie Institute,The Art of Black Africa: Collection of Jay C. Leff, 1969, n°267
Lehuard, Art Bakongo. Insigne de pouvoir, le sceptre, 1998, p. 1024-1027, n° V1 et V2
Felix, White Gold, Black Hands, 2011, p. 72, n°602 a et b
Condition
Good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. Some few dents to the rim at the top of the sceptre. A small loss to the tip at the bottom.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Entre 1873 et 1876, époque de son expédition sur la côte du Loango, le Dr. Edouard Pechuël-Loesche collecta chez les Vili cet insigne en ivoire - premier sceptre Kongo à entrer dans une collection européenne (Lehuard, 1998, p. 926). Il en reproduisit le dessin dans le quatrième tome de son ouvrage Die Loango Expedition (publié en 1907), sous la désignation de "fétiche de guerre" - identification communément reprise jusqu'à la fin des années 1930.
Sur le dessin de 1907 figure encore, à l'extrémité, la charge magico-religieuse bilongo, sacralisant le sceptre nkama ntinu - le plus important insigne de royauté des peuples Kongo implantés au nord du fleuve Congo. A l'élégance de la courbe, ponctuée par la représentation de coquillages cauris (signes de richesse), répond la finesse de la sculpture, exaltant la dignité du chef investi : coiffé de la barrette cheffale, vêtu d'une veste de type européen, assis sur un animal et tenant une canne torsadée.
Sur le dessin de 1907 figure encore, à l'extrémité, la charge magico-religieuse bilongo, sacralisant le sceptre nkama ntinu - le plus important insigne de royauté des peuples Kongo implantés au nord du fleuve Congo. A l'élégance de la courbe, ponctuée par la représentation de coquillages cauris (signes de richesse), répond la finesse de la sculpture, exaltant la dignité du chef investi : coiffé de la barrette cheffale, vêtu d'une veste de type européen, assis sur un animal et tenant une canne torsadée.