- 36
Très beau tambour à fente, Mangbetu, République démocratique du Congo
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 EUR
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Description
- Mangbetu
- Très beau tambour à fente
- long. 101 cm
- 39 1/2 in, 19 1/2 in
nedundu, monoxyle, la caisse de résonnance en forme de demi-lune, légèrement bombée, aux lignes épurées. La fente fusiforme est flanquée de chaque côté d'une poignée sculptée dans la masse. Très beau volume et superbe patine noire, brillante.
Provenance
Ancienne collection Jeanne Walschot, Bruxelles
Ancienne collection Dr. Jean Desmedt, Bruxelles
Lance Entwistle, Londres
Exhibited
African Forms, Cornell, 2004
Condition
Good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. The very end of the handles have been broken and repaired (glued). A few superficial striations and minor cracks on the surface of drum. Superb dark deep patina.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
La beauté de sa forme abstraite fait de cet instrument une sculpture à part entière. Les tambours à fente Mangbetu étaient joués en groupe dans un ensemble orchestral comprenant notamment des xylophones, des gongs ou des hochets, lors de festivités ou de cérémonies rituelles (cf. Brincard 1990 : 119). Sculptés dans un bois très dur, noircis et minutieusement patinés, ces instruments produisaient un son qui portait très loin. Au XIXe siècle, le tambour nedundu était joué avec un maillet dans l'orchestre de cour des rois Mangbetu. Selon Burssens (1992 : 24), "il annonçait que le chef buvait du vin de palme ou de la bière pendant les danses et l'on battait le tambour chaque fois qu'il rendait visite à un autre chef. "Instruments de prestige, les tambours à fente de ce type étaient également offerts aux hauts dignitaires par les chefs Mangbetu "pour les investir d'une autorité" (Burssens, idem : 24). Un tambour comparable orné de clous de laiton est conservé au musée du quai Branly (inv. 71.1903.33.500).