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Hôtel des Ventes de Troyes

88 - - Cephalomorphic bowl - Kuba kingdom - D. R. Congo
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Estimate €200 - €300
Sale commission
Description
- Cephalomorphic bowl - Kuba kingdom - D. R. Congo Provenance: Former collection of Edmond Verfaillie (1892-1962), a prominent figure associated with the major Belgian companies operating in the Belgian Congo under Belgian state administration, notably Forminière and Union Minière. Kept by family descendants. This early provenance is part of a particularly coherent and well-documented collection. Dimensions: 18 cm This cephalomorphic bowl is a fine example of the art of the Kuba, famous for the rich decoration of their prestigious objects. The vessel takes the form of a stylised human head, resting on a pedestal and extended at the back by an arched handle. The hairstyle, treated with fine parallel striations, frames a face with measured features: half-closed eyes, a straight nose and a discreetly drawn mouth. The geometric decoration engraved on the temples and cheeks evokes the scarification marks or ornamental motifs characteristic of Kuba aesthetics. These details, combined with the elaborate treatment of the hairstyle, testify to the refinement of the kingdom's sculpture workshops. Kuba cups belong to the category of prestige objects. They were intended to hold a variety of valuable substances or foodstuffs - powders, pigments, ritual preparations or foods reserved for ceremonial occasions - according to their owner's own uses. The deep patina, enhanced by the wear on the relief, highlights the quality of the carving and the age of the object.
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About the sale ARTS OF AFRICA & OCEANIA: Three exceptional family collections
Auction location
Auction time 06/22/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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