- 93
Kongo or Lumbo Power Object (Bumba), Republic of Congo or Gabon
Estimate
15,000 - 25,000 USD
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Description
- sitatunga
- Height: 29 1/2 in (75 cm)
incorporating a Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii) skull with horns and hair.
Provenance
Allan Stone, New York, acquired before March 1978
Condition
Very good condition for an object of this age, material, and exceptionally rare type. Encrusted with built-up ritually applied materials. Losses to earth and ritual materials built up around the skull on the left side. Marks, nicks, scratches, abrasions, chips, cracks, and flaking. Some breaks and small losses in basketry. Cracks and losses in the skull. Fabric pouches with holes, fraying, and unraveling. Small bone or shell element inserted below proper right horn broken. Fine aged dark brown glossy patina to horns.
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
The bumba is a power object (nkisi) composed of a number of magical elements, including a skull, embedded into a basketry container. While the skull usually originates from primates (baboon, gorilla, chimpanzee, gorilla), the Allan Stone bumba is a unique deviation as it incorporates a Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii) antelope skull including the horns. For further discussion of the bumba cf. Raoul Lehuard, "Le Bumba des Vili et Yombe", Arts d'Afrique Noire, No. 96, Hiver 1995, pp. 10-19.
While Lehuard (loc. cit.) assigns the production of bumba exclusively to the Yombe and Vili, Felix (personal communication, August 31, 2013) notes that similar objects were used by the Lumbo as well.