Boîte à trésor, Maori, Nouvelle-Zélande

Collection Jacob Epstein, Londres
Collection Carlo Monzino, Castagnola
Wayne Heathcote, Bruxelles
Ron Nasser, New York
Collection privée

 

Bassani & McLeod, Jacob Epstein Collector, 1989, p. 145, n° 527

Sous le couvercle : une étiquette ancienne avec, inscrit à l'encre noire, "Cradle and Cenotaph from Salomon Island"

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."

Cette superbe - et imposante - boîte wakahuia provenant de la collection de Jacob Epstein était destinée à conserver les ornements en néphrite et les plumes précieuses de l'oiseau huia, ornant la tête des chefs Maori. Suspendue au faîtage, elle dévoilait la beauté de sa panse gravée.
A chaque extrémité s'impose un tiki très finement sculpté, la tension remarquable des courbes et des contre-courbes décuplant la puissance exprimée par la tête projetée en haut relief, formant les poignées. Très belle patine d'usage, profonde, brun rouge et brillante sur les parties saillantes.