Lot 136
  • 136

Kota Reliquary Figure, Gabon

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 USD
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Description

  • wood, metal
  • Height: 17 1/2 inches (44.5 cm)

Provenance

With Pierre Matisse, New York (The Morgan Library, Pierre Matisse Gallery archive, B 123, 2, "African artwork")
Ladislas and Helena Segy, New York, possibly aquired from the above, by 1963

Literature

Ladislas Segy, "The Ashanti Akua'ba Statues as Archetype, and the Egyptian Ankh. A theory of morphological assumptions", Anthropos, Vol. 58, 1963, p. 855, fig. 15
Ladislas Segy, African Sculpture Speaks, New York, 1969, p. 214, fig. 275
Ladislas Segy, African Sculpture Speaks, New York, 1975, p. 214, fig. 275

Condition

Dents, bends, tears, cracks, and small losses to metal plating. Loss to metal covering of top of proper right eye. Top proper right point of coiffure cracked and held in place with metal plate. Diamond-shaped wood element with surface erosion, and cracked in two places and glued, with pins covered with wax patches. Metal tarnished. Marks, nicks, scratches, abrasions, and chips. Permanently fixed to modern metal base with two screws on reverse.
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.