African Art Auction Ending 4/9

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TORQUE OR NECK RING. Yoruba/Nupe people, Bida region of Nigeria. Although the word “torque” means a necklace or neck ring, among Africanists it has come to refer to a specific form of neck ring in which the ends have been drawn into points that nearly come together to form a complete ring. The torque is considered to be one of the aesthetically perfect forms of African metalwork. This example dates from the mid to late 19th century. On custom base. Brass. H 7.5in Wt 7.8lb.

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TWO ELU FACE MASKS. Ogoni people, Nigeria. These masks are worn by members of various men’s societies who perform at religious and social functions. Many of the masks mimic members of the community. The masker is able to open the articulated jaw and snap it shut with an audible click by movements of his mouth. Some, but not all, Elu masks have teeth. Both early 20th century. Each on custom base. (A) Dark brown face with hair combed and parted to one side. Teeth present. Wood, pigment. H 9in. Ex Bonham’s Auction #19412 Nov 9 2011 Lot #401. (B) White face darkened with age. Hair combed and parted to one side. Scarification on forehead and temples. Wood, pigment. H 8.5in. Ex Rago Tribal Art auction March 1, 2008 Lot #172.

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NINETEENTH CENTURY GOLD COAST EQUIPMENT TO STORE AND WEIGH GOLD. This material includes: (A) a portable, light weight hand held balance scale (nsania) consisting of two thin brass pans (this lot) suspended by strings from a balance beam (see picture showing such a scale hanging on the wall in a jeweler’s shop); (B) small brass box for storing gold dust (adaka ketwa) with crocodile gold weight lid; (C) large container for storing gold dust or gold weights with mammary-form top; (D) a long-handled spatula (saawa) with punched designs used to remove adulterating debris from gold dust; (E) a funnel-shaped scoop resembling a dust pan (famfa) used to examine large amounts of gold dust for impurities; (F) two small scoops used to transfer gold dust from the famfa to the scale. These scoops have punched designs and one has a fish tail handle.

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Handwoven Raffia Basket Kuba, Democratic Republic of Congo. 8" tall. Provenance - Exhibition: “Texture & Form The Art of Personal Objects Selections From The Rosen African Art Collection.” The Pen and Brush Gallery, New York City 2004.

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This animal rod puppet head has the horns and ears of an antelope and a sharply dentate mouth suggestive of a carnivore. The significance of "Parti du Mali" is unclear in this context. Literally translated as "Party of Mali", the phrase could refer to a political organization. In a phrase such as "prendre parti" the word "parti" can mean to choose or to be on the side of something, in this instance Mali. "Parti" could be a misspelling of or pun on the word "Patrie," meaning country or homeland. The articulated mouth is held in place by string. H 31.5 in. Wood, paint, string.Page number 135 figures 148 A, B in the book: The colorful Sogo Bò Puppets of Mali, Mary Sue Rosen Paul, Paul Peter Rosen.

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Headcrest Mask, Ijo, Nigeria. 12.5" tall. Provenance - Exhibition: “More Than A Pretty Face: Masks from West and Central Africa From the Rosen African Art Collection.” Free Library Gallery, Philadelphia, PA 2011. Page number 128 figure 176 in the book: Masks From West and Central Africa A Celebration of Color and Form. Mary Sue and Paul Peter Rosen. Atglen, PA, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2013.

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This Koreduga horse rod puppet carved from a single piece of wood has brass applique on its face, a mane and tail of hair, and a saddle. Mild insect damage is present. H 36 in. Wood, brass, hair, rope. Page number 107 figures 117 A, B in the book: The colorful Sogo Bò Puppets of Mali, Mary Sue Rosen Paul, Paul Peter Rosen.

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Koranko Body Mask, Guinea, Sierra Leone. 37.5" tall. Provenance - Exhibition: “More Than A Pretty Face: Masks from West and Central Africa From the Rosen African Art Collection.” Free Library Gallery, Philadelphia, PA 2011. Page number 10 figure 10 in the book: Masks From West and Central Africa A Celebration of Color and Form. Mary Sue and Paul Peter Rosen. Atglen, PA, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2013.

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This mask of Jine, a bush spirit, has human facial features and the horns of a goat or an antelope. H 19 in. Wood, paint, fiber. Page number 147 figure 171 in the book: The colorful Sogo Bò Puppets of Mali, Mary Sue Rosen Paul, Paul Peter Rosen.

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Headcrest Mask, Ijo, Nigeria. 8" tall. Provenance - Exhibition: “More Than A Pretty Face: Masks from West and Central Africa From the Rosen African Art Collection.” Free Library Gallery, Philadelphia, PA 2011. Page number 126 figures 172, 173 in the book: Masks From West and Central Africa A Celebration of Color and Form. Mary Sue and Paul Peter Rosen. Atglen, PA, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2013.

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Face mask (Gla) Bete People Liberia; Ivory Coast. 13" tall. Page number 27 figure 21 in the book: Masks From West and Central Africa A Celebration of Color and Form. Mary Sue and Paul Peter Rosen. Atglen, PA, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2013.

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Cache Sex, Handsewn with Beads and Cowries, Cameroon. 8" tall.

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CROSS PENDANTS (3). Ethiopia. One in the form of a Star of David. H 2in.-3in. Hand cast nickel-silver alloy.

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Temne Antelope Sculpture, Sierra Leone. 12.5" tall. Provenance - Exhibition: “More Than A Pretty Face: Masks from West and Central Africa From the Rosen African Art Collection.” Free Library Gallery, Philadelphia, PA 2011.

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CROSS PENDANTS (3). Ethiopia. Worn by Ethiopian Coptic Christians. There is a nearly infinite variety of designs. H 2in.-2.5in. Hand cast nickel-silver alloy.

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Pende Mask, Democratic Republic of Congo. 16" tall. Provenance - Exhibition: “More Than A Pretty Face: Masks from West and Central Africa From the Rosen African Art Collection.” Free Library Gallery, Philadelphia, PA 2011. Page number 183 figure 257 in the book: Masks From West and Central Africa A Celebration of Color and Form. Mary Sue and Paul Peter Rosen. Atglen, PA, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2013.

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Small Dogon Door, Mali. 13.5" tall. Provenance - Exhibition: “Materials Transformed The Art of African Sculpture From the Mary Sue and Paul Peter Rosen Collection.” Free Library Gallery, Philadelphia, PA 2012.

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Bundu Helmet Mask, with 4 figures, Mende, Sierra Leone. 15.5" tall. Provenance - Exhibition: “More Than A Pretty Face: Masks from West and Central Africa From the Rosen African Art Collection.” Free Library Gallery, Philadelphia, PA 2011. Page number 37 figure 35 in the book: Masks From West and Central Africa A Celebration of Color and Form. Mary Sue and Paul Peter Rosen. Atglen, PA, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2013.

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Face mask, Nunuma, Burkina Faso. 13" tall. Provenance - Exhibition: “More Than A Pretty Face: Masks from West and Central Africa From the Rosen African Art Collection.” Free Library Gallery, Philadelphia, PA 2011. Page number 103 figures 136 & 137 in the book: Masks From West and Central Africa A Celebration of Color and Form. Mary Sue and Paul Peter Rosen. Atglen, PA, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2013.

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Ten Kenya Maasai tribe hand carved wood figurines incl three lions with incised mains showing teeth, larger being 7"L, four hand carved wood masks all depicting elephants with incised trunks larger being 9.5"T, two hand carved panther figurines with one climbing down tree to young panther, larger being approx. 8.75"T.