Worlds within Worlds | Works from the Collection of Peter Petrou

South West Mauritania, Probably Mederdra, Maures Peoples, circa 1900 | Travelling Coffer

VAT applies to buyers outside the UKUK: Greenford Park Warehouse

Lot Closed

September 21, 05:15 PM GMT

Estimate

10,000 - 15,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

South West Mauritania, Probably Mederdra

Maures Peoples, circa 1900

Travelling Coffer

wood, cut and pierced iron overlaid in brass and copper

20cm. high, 51cm. wide, 25cm. deep; 8in., 1ft. 8in., 9 ¾ in.

‘Please note that where the buyer is from within the UK the lot is sold with no VAT symbol. Where the buyer resides outside the UK the lot is invoiced as if it bore the “†” symbol.’

Formerly in the Collection of Marc and Denyse Ginzberg

Jean Gabus , Au Sahara, Arts et Symboles, Neuchatel, 1958;

Catherine et Patrick Sargos, Arts et Traditions d'Afrique du Profane au Sacré, pub. Paris, 2010

The nomadic Maures travelled throughout an area now politically divided into Mauritania, Western Sahara and Senegal, carrying their possessions on their camels. Wood coffers with iron frames and metal locks were traditionally made by the blacksmiths in which to store and carry their tools and were adopted for other possessions. The tea ceremony is of the utmost importance in Mauritania and as such has a number of precious objects associated with its preparation so coffers would be made for their transportation. Holy books too required a sturdy locking box.