Jarre anthropomorphe en terre cuite, Mangbetu, République Démocratique du Congo

Collecté par les Sœurs Dominicaines Missionnaires de Namur, ca 1937
Collection des Sœurs Dominicaines Missionnaires de Namur, Namur, 1959
Collection privée, Bruxelles

Good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. Very beautiful and well preserved carving. Some scratches throughout. Exceptional varied patina, with some shiny reliefs and areas of encrustation; deep nuanced brown and earth tones throughout. 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.
"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."

Cette jarre illustre superbement un art Mangbetu voué à l'exaltation de la beauté. Transcendant la fonctionnalité de l'objet, le buste/réceptacle s'épanouit dans les rondeurs de la panse, le mouvement du col offre à la tête son port altier et la surface traduit la richesse des parures corporelles. Dans le premier quart de XX^e siècle, quelques artistes - dans le village de Niangara et à la cour du roi Okondo - initièrent la tradition d'une céramique anthropomorphe qui s'est imposée comme l'une des expressions les plus sensibles de l'art Mangbetu. En 1913, Herbert Lang collectait à Niangara une jarre très comparable, aujourd'hui conservée à l'American Museum of Natural History (New York, inv. n°90.1./4671).