- 97
Statue, Téké, République du Congo
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 EUR
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Description
- Téké
- Statue
- wood, shell (Throcus Shell - Throcus niloticus), metal, resin
- haut. 61 cm
- 24 in
Provenance
Collecté par Auguste G. Pouplier, avant 1902
Collection privée
Collection privée
Exhibited
Joinville, Château du Grand Jardin, Arts Premiers : Chroniques du Sacré, 10 octobre - 20 décembre 2009
Literature
Frey, Arts Premiers : Chroniques du sacré, 2009, p. 59
Condition
Please refer to the department, + 33 1 53 05 52 67, alexis.maggiar@sothebys.com
"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
Chef de colonne du corps expéditionnaire commandé par Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, Auguste G. Pouplier publie, en 1902, Musée du Congo, Port Navalo Morbilhan. Description sommaire de la collection des objets rapportés de l'Afrique Occidentale par M. A. G. Pouplier. Une ancienne carte postale montrant Pouplier dans une salle de ce musée qu'il créa avant 1902 à Port Navallo témoigne de la richesse de ses collectes, dont l'impressionnant ensemble d'armes d'Afrique Centrale fut acquis par le musée d'art africain de l'Abbaye de Langonnet.
Au caractère historique de sa collecte s'ajoute la rare dimension de la sculpture (la plupart des grandes statues Téké n'excédant pas une cinquantaine de centimètres), la charge rituelle conservée (rare), la profondeur de la patine attestant son ancienneté au moment de son acquisition, et surtout, la remarquable qualité de l'œuvre. A la dimension imposante répond la puissance des volumes anguleux, et la force du visage aux traits resserrés, dont le court front bombé renforce l'excavation des yeux aux pupilles serties de nacre. Stylistiquement, elle se rattache au style dit "classique" des Téké de la rive droite du Congo, dont elle constitue l'archétype, caractérisé par une large tête surmontée d'une coiffure en crête, le menton pourvu d'une barbe en trapèze (cf. statues collectées par Robert Hottot entre 1906 et 1908, conservées au British Museum in Féau, 1998, p. 132-133). La coiffure à cimier médian - portée par les chefs et notables de haut rang - de même que sa très grande dimension, autorisent à présumer de l'importance et du rang de l'ancêtre représenté.
Teke figure, Republic of the Congo
A column leader in the expeditionary force commanded by Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, Auguste G. Pouplier published in 1902, Musée du Congo, Port Navalo Morbilhan. Description sommaire de la collection des objets rapportés de l'Afrique Occidentale par M. A. G. Pouplier. (A brief description of the collection of artefacts brought back from West Africa). An old postcard showing Pouplier in one of the rooms of the museum he created before 1902 in Port Navallo gives an indication of the richness of its collections, amongst which an impressive set of weapons from Central Africa that was acquired by the Museum of African Art at Langonnet Abbey.
In addition to its historic character the collection also showcases a rare dimension of sculpture (indeed, most large Teke statues do not exceed fifty centimetres), a (rare) preservation of ritualistic charges, a depth of patina attesting to its age at the time of acquisition, and most importantly, the remarkable quality of the artwork. The impressive dimensions of the pieces match the forcefulness of the angular outlines, and the powerful, tightly drawn face, whose short rounded forehead brings out the hollowed out eyes with their pearl-studded pupils. Stylistically, it relates to the style known as "classic" Teke from the right bank of the Congo River, and it is the archetype of this style, with its large head crowned by a crest hairstyle and its chin bearing a trapezoid beard. (cf. statues collected by Robert Hottot between 1906 and 1908, at the British Museum in Féau, 1998, p. 132-133). The median crested coiffure - worn by chiefs and high ranking notables - as well as its great size, are an accurate indication of the rank and importance of the ancestor depicted.
Au caractère historique de sa collecte s'ajoute la rare dimension de la sculpture (la plupart des grandes statues Téké n'excédant pas une cinquantaine de centimètres), la charge rituelle conservée (rare), la profondeur de la patine attestant son ancienneté au moment de son acquisition, et surtout, la remarquable qualité de l'œuvre. A la dimension imposante répond la puissance des volumes anguleux, et la force du visage aux traits resserrés, dont le court front bombé renforce l'excavation des yeux aux pupilles serties de nacre. Stylistiquement, elle se rattache au style dit "classique" des Téké de la rive droite du Congo, dont elle constitue l'archétype, caractérisé par une large tête surmontée d'une coiffure en crête, le menton pourvu d'une barbe en trapèze (cf. statues collectées par Robert Hottot entre 1906 et 1908, conservées au British Museum in Féau, 1998, p. 132-133). La coiffure à cimier médian - portée par les chefs et notables de haut rang - de même que sa très grande dimension, autorisent à présumer de l'importance et du rang de l'ancêtre représenté.
Teke figure, Republic of the Congo
A column leader in the expeditionary force commanded by Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, Auguste G. Pouplier published in 1902, Musée du Congo, Port Navalo Morbilhan. Description sommaire de la collection des objets rapportés de l'Afrique Occidentale par M. A. G. Pouplier. (A brief description of the collection of artefacts brought back from West Africa). An old postcard showing Pouplier in one of the rooms of the museum he created before 1902 in Port Navallo gives an indication of the richness of its collections, amongst which an impressive set of weapons from Central Africa that was acquired by the Museum of African Art at Langonnet Abbey.
In addition to its historic character the collection also showcases a rare dimension of sculpture (indeed, most large Teke statues do not exceed fifty centimetres), a (rare) preservation of ritualistic charges, a depth of patina attesting to its age at the time of acquisition, and most importantly, the remarkable quality of the artwork. The impressive dimensions of the pieces match the forcefulness of the angular outlines, and the powerful, tightly drawn face, whose short rounded forehead brings out the hollowed out eyes with their pearl-studded pupils. Stylistically, it relates to the style known as "classic" Teke from the right bank of the Congo River, and it is the archetype of this style, with its large head crowned by a crest hairstyle and its chin bearing a trapezoid beard. (cf. statues collected by Robert Hottot between 1906 and 1908, at the British Museum in Féau, 1998, p. 132-133). The median crested coiffure - worn by chiefs and high ranking notables - as well as its great size, are an accurate indication of the rank and importance of the ancestor depicted.