African Art Auction Ending 7/27

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TWO ASAFO MILITIA FLAGS. Fante people, Ghana. (A) The image on this flag warns a rival Asafo Company that entering the territory of the No. 2 Company will be as dangerous as the eagle capturing its prey. Depicted is an eagle (the No. 2 Company) in flight with a very small man (a member of a rival Company) in its talons. The unique canton shows a miniature national flag of Ghana instead of a black star in the yellow band of a larger Ghana flag. Appliqued figures are hand sewn with embroidered details. Cotton textile. 53in x 36.5in. Published in “Emblems of Power” p. 69. This book is only available from the authors at ppr2001@med.cornell.edu. Collected in Fante region of Ghana in 2005 from Baba Moustafa Yaro and Emanuel Nii-Attram. (B) This is a dramatic, very rare vertical flag. Less than 10% of Asafo flags are vertical. It was probably commissioned for the installation of a woman named Obatan as Commander (Asafohema) of the Company which owned this flag. Only rarely were women selected to lead Asafo Companies. Obatan has chosen a female bush spirit known to protect her children and friends as her emblem. Cotton textile, hand sewn, with embroidered details. Ensign is a modified Union Jack. 56.5in. x 36in. Collected in Ghana from Baba Mahama.

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COPPER ANKLETS AND COPPER ORE. Mbole, Jonga, Mongo or Hamba people, Congo. Anklets like this were used as currency and decorative items in the region of the Kasai and Lomami Rivers. The anklet was created from a rectangular, flat plate of copper by a skilled blacksmith who hammered it into the ring. Since the anklets were used as currency in important transactions, the Chief’s wives wearing them were an informal bank. (A) 7.5in diameter 5.5lb. (B) Malachite copper ore from a mine in the copper-rich Katanga province in Congo. (C) Globoid, thick-walled. 3lb. 6in diameter. (D) Unusual flattened form 2.75lb. 9in.

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ROYAL MUSICAL BRACELET. Bamum people, Cameroon. Hollow form bracelet with fenestrated, filigree design containing small stones. Created by an extraordinary feat of lost wax casting only available to royalty. Excavated in early 20th century. Copper. Diameter 5in.

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FOUR WEST AFRICAN BRACELETS, TWO ANKLETS, ONE NECK RING. All lost wax cast. Late 19th century. (A) Tubu people, Niger. 6 diamond-shaped openings. Probably made to be worn by a child, but not finished. Copper. 2.5in. (B) Yoruba people, Nigeria. Cast in the form of 3 bands bound together. Copper 3in. (C) Luba people, Congo. Cast with spike. Probably worn as a weapon by a man. Heavy. Inside very smooth from wear. Copper. 3.5in. (D) Ngere people, Guinea. Bracelet with knife-edge ridge and symmetrical decoration. On custom base. Width 4in. (E) Kasena people, Ghana. Rare anklet with different designs on edges and off-center central rib. Width 4.25in. (F) Tuareg people, Niger. Anklet with engraved designs on both sides of central ridge. Edges show wear from use. Width 4.5in. (G) Probably Tuareg people, Niger. Neck ring created by blacksmith by bending a band of copper into a circular form. Remnants of a chevron design much of which is worn away. Copper. Diameter 6in.

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TWISTED SERPENTINE RING WITH SOCKET. Mumuye people, Nigeria. Unusual form of currency used in important transactions along the upper reaches of the Benue River in the pre-colonial era (1900 or earlier). Hand forged by a highly skilled blacksmith by methods not known to modern blacksmiths. Head with open mouth, nostrils, and eyes. Tail in the form of a socket to hold decorative items such as feathers. On custom base. Iron. H 8.25in. Ex Roberto Ballarini, Galleria Africa Curio, Milan Italy.

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TWELVE BIRD GOLD WEIGHTS. Ivory Coast and Ghana. Used to weigh gold dust on a balance scale. All brass lost wax cast with base. Dated before 1920s. (A) Fighting rooster with spurs. H 2.5in 2.3oz. (B) Hornbill bird with spread wings. H 2.5in 2.6oz. (C) Duck on triangular base. H 1.75in 2.6oz. (D) Sankofa bird. This is a real bird that has a habit of looking over its back. It is the symbol of learning from past experience. 1.5oz. (E) Stork with snake in its beak. 2.3oz. (F) Two birds in palm tree. 1.9oz. (G) Hornbill bird with 2 cannons. 4.3oz. (H) Sankofa bird on base 2.3oz, (I) Hornbill bird with coiled snake on base 2.4oz. (J) Sankofa bird with long neck on base. 3.0oz. (K) Pendant with 2 small roosting birds on base. 0.6oz. (L) Hornbill bird on base 0.7oz.

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YA YA MA MA CONI CONI HELMET MASK. Sherbro people, Sierra Leone. The name of this mask means “cunning mask”. It is worn by an entranced dancer covered by a cloak of raffia, cloth and fur who whirls around wielding a knife used to attack witches. The mirrors help the dancer to detect and deflect evil spells (“evil eye”) directed at him. The mask is decorated with carved protective amulets and animal ears which can hear the spells of witches. Wood, pigment, mirrors. H 9in Published in “Masks from West and Central Africa” p.56, Fig 63. Ex Jeremiah Cole collection.

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VERY RARE LARGE DOUBLE COIL ENGRAVED MANILLA WITH FLARED FEET. Igbo people, Nigeria. Excavated in early 19th century in the Igbo-Ukwu region. Engraved designs best appreciated with a magnifying glass because of changes caused by burial. This is a masterpiece of blacksmith’s artistry. Quadrilateral cross section. On custom base. Weight 6lb.

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CORNUCOPIA SERVING DISH. Probably Lobi people, Ivory Coast. Used to offer kola nuts to guests as a sign of hospitality. Birds poised on the lip are a sign of friendship. The turtle who walks slowly but steadily is a sign of a durable relationship. Excavated in the 1940s. Shows signs of prolonged burial. Lost wax cast brass. Length 7.5in.

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TWO ASAFO MILITIA FLAGS. Fante people, Ghana. (A) Large British ensign. Flag depicts a black eagle with a bone in its beak perched in a pink tree where it is taunting a fierce dog who wants the bone. The figure (narrator) is a female Supi or commanding officer wearing a print skirt who holds a white sword as a symbol of her authority. The message to a rival Asafo Company (represented by the dog) is that no matter how tempted they are to attack the Company that owns this flag (represented by the eagle and Supi), it would be foolhardy. The appliqued figures, the canton and part of the border are hand sewn. Details are embroidered. Cotton textile. 60in. x 39.5in. (B) The message conveyed by this flag is related to flag (A). It warns that the Asafo Company that displays this flag has the supernatural power to decide the hour at which events will occur, as do certain birds. The Company is represented by the Supi or Captain holding a red Akan sword and two riflemen. The rooster above the clock and the clock bird below it both announce the dawn, the former in town and the latter in the forest. Canton is the Ghana national flag. Appliqued figures hand sewn with embroidered details. Cotton textile. 66.5in. x 43in. Both published in EMBLEMS OF POWER. ASAFO FLAGS FROM GHANA. This book is only available from the authors at ppr2001@med.cornell.edu. Collected in Ghana.

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BUNDLE OF VERY OLD QUINZE (KISSI PENNIES). Kissi people, Guinea/Liberia/Sierra Leone. Used as currency singly or in bundles until 1950s. In the Kissi region around 1900, a single quinze rod had the value of an English penny; hence the term Kissi penny. Bundles of at least 20 pieces tied mid-shaft with a cloth strip were offered as bride wealth. This bundle dates from the mid-1800s. On custom base. Hand forged iron, cloth. H 14in.

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HEADREST. Pokot people, Kenya. This rare and unusual headrest was used to protect the elaborate clay headdress of an initiated man. Uninitiated boys and men used a plain wood headrest. The beads are attached to strips of leather. On a custom base. Wood, leather, beads. H 8in.

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MEDICINE FIGURE (MINSERAH). Mende people, Sierra Leone. Important medicine figures such as this were kept in a special shrine. When the figure was consulted to cure a woman’s ailment, it was placed in a bowl with a mixture of herbs and clay. The effects of this material can be seen on the bottom surface. The head and body were also anointed with raw eggs which has produced spots on the face, chest and shoulders. Because the figure is holding her breasts, she was probably consulted in matters related to fertility and lactation. Dated to late 1800s. Wood, pigment. H 19in. Ex Jeremiah Cole collection.

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RARE FIGURE EIGHT CURRENCY. Mongo and Ngandu people, Congo. Made by a blacksmith who bends and hammers a heated rod that is tapered at both ends. Dates from the late 18th century. Not seen in Western collections until mid-20th century. Carried strung on a copper ring. Denominations determined by size. Copper. 2.5in to 3.25in. Combined weight 13.5oz.

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CEREMONIAL DANCE STAFF HEAD. Kuyu people, Congo. Male members of the Kuyu tribe belong to the secret men’s Ottote society. Characterized by an elaborate coiffure including two rows of carved cowry shells (indicating wealth). Representing male ancestors, the head was carried through the village on a tall pole during ceremonies marking the end of the Ottote society initiation period. Early 20th century. On custom base. Wood, pigment. H 23in. Ex Bonham’s Auction Nov 9, 2011 Lot #382.

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SEVEN FISH GOLDWEIGHTS. Ghana and Ivory Coast. All lost wax cast brass. Dated late 19th century. (A) Mudfish with curved tail. (B) Sawfish with curved tail. (C) Small fish pendant. (D) Slender fish pendant. (E) Small porpoise. (F) Large porpoise. (G) Crocodile standing on four legs with fish in its mouth.

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HAND-STAMPED WHITE ADINKRA MOURNING CLOTH. Ashanti people, Ghana. This cloth was made by Samuel Amankwtia Evans in Ntonso, a village famed for the art of making Adinkra cloth. Mr. Evans was one of the last skilled artists who were able to make these cloths. Today, they are almost all machine printed. Original hand-stamped Adinkra cloth is now a rarity. The white cloth is damask cotton. Multiple different stamps were used here and they were made with a hand carved wood comb that had 7 long teeth. Cotton damask cloth. 150in. x 50in. See Lot #32 for more about Adinkra stamps.

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ELU FACE MASKS. Ogoni people, Nigeria. Elu face masks are caricatures of members of the community. The white kaolin pigment refers to ancestral spirits. The jaw is articulated with teeth. The mask is part of an elaborate costume that shrouds the masker’s body. The message intended by the mask and performance is made known by songs sung during the dance. (A) The box on top of the mask is an over-sized amulet, perhaps a commentary on a person’s over reliance on this sort of charm. Articulated jaw with teeth present. Mid-20th century. Wood, pigment. H 9in. (B) Old mask with black, grooved horns. Articulated jaw. No teeth. Small face and condition of white pigment consistent with late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, pigment. H 11in.

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LARGE, COMPLEX HOE BLADE. Hausa people, northern Nigeria. A wooden handle was attached to the central spine and tied to holes in the lateral spines. Adapted for use in sandy soil in this region bordering on the Sahara Desert. Resembles a hockey goalie’s mask. On custom base. Hand forged iron. H 29.5in.

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TWISTED, KNOTTED CURRECY RING. Nigeria. Created over 100 years ago from a single heated copper rod by a blacksmith using techniques not known to contemporary blacksmiths. Note how the rod is turned at the ends to double back on itself. Because of the great skill required to make this object, it was highly prized and used as currency in only the most important transactions. Twisted, knotted rings were often buried for security and were placed in the graves of their owners. This ring was excavated in a stash uncovered during a construction project near Abuja, the capital of Nigeria in 1981. Remnants of soil attached. Copper. Diameter 4.5in. 2lb. (See LOT #35)