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MILLON
166
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Prestigious axe with a very fine head
Wood, brass, wrought i…
See original version (French)
166
-
Prestigious axe with a very fine head
Wood, brass, wrought i…
See original version (French)
Estimate €300 - €400
Voluntary lot
Description
Prestigious axe
with a very fine head
Wood, brass, wrought iron, old honey and brown patina, marks of use
Luba, Democratic Republic of Congo
41.5 × 17 cm
Prestigious Luba axes held an important place among the insignia associated with power, social rank and the representation of lineage authorities. More symbolic than utilitarian, they accompanied chiefs, dignitaries and ritual specialists during ceremonies and public events linked to the prestige and memory of the ancestors. The quality of the carving played an essential role in the value of these ceremonial objects.
This example stands out for the presence of an anthropomorphic head sculpted with care and mastery. The refinement of the face, the balance of proportions and the richness of the patina reinforce the sculptural dimension of this work. The combination of wood and metal, combined with the overall slenderness of the composition, gives this axe a sober elegance and a particularly strong presence.
Provenance :
Collected in Katanga (Belgian Congo) between 1952 and 1970 by Charles Mahauden, a Belgian colonial administrator nicknamed Kisongokimo by the Grand Chief of the Baluba.
Author of : Mahauden, Charles, Kisongokimo - Chasse et magie chez les Balubas, Paris, Flammarion, coll. "L'Aventure vécue", 1965, 252 p.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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