Kota Reliquary Figure, Gabon

Gaston de Havenon, New York, by 1971
Sarah de Havenon, New York, by descent from the above

Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C., The de Havenon Collection: African Art, 1971

Warren M. Robbins, The de Havenon Collection, Washington, D.C., 1971, no. 197
Alain and Francoise Chaffin, L'Art Kota: les figures de reliquaire, Meudon, 1979, p. 105, fig. 27

Good condition for an object of this type and age. Metal is oxidized, with dents, tears, bends, and small losses around edges. Lower part with surface erosion. Remains of polish in crevices on edges. Reverse with a drill hole from a previous mount at the top. Small piece of wood in top right corner is broken and loose, held in place by metal plate. Permanently fixed to a metal base with four screws. Fine aged surface to wood on reverse. The reverse with several old inventory numbers including "39[??]" in red, "13692" in green, a rectangular sticker with "L71-236", and a round sticker with "306".
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.

Gaston de Havenon was one of the pioneering New York art dealers who introduced sub-Saharan African art to an America audience after the Second World War, and maintained this charming Kota in his personal collection. It was shown in the landmark exhibition of de Havenon's collection organized by Warren M. Robbins in 1971 at the Museum for African Art in Washington, D.C.  For a closely related figure in the collection of Jean Willy Mestach, see Maurer (1991: 105, fig. 91), and for another closely related figure first published in 1934, see Sotheby's, New York, May 16, 2014, lot 375.