To go back to first part of the catalog - Click here.  To go to home page: WHA

168

STATUARY FIGURE

New Guinea, Sepic River, cowrie shell eyes, tattoo decoration on chest, mounted on a metal plate, 27" h. 

$150-250

169

NEW GUINEA SHIELD

Mid 20th c., flat board with bird/man transformation figure, in black with red pigment outline on white background, 49" h, 13" w. 

$400-600

170

NEW GUINEA CARVING; AXE

Black and white pigment, cowrie shells, elongated face, missing tusks, 34" l; Very old ceremonial axe, New Guinea Highlands (missing slate), loose wrap, woven cane, appears intact, 33" l. 

$200-300

171

POLYNESIAN WEAPON

Spade shaped blade with medial ridge, arrow shaped top, 48" l. 

$300-500

172

THREE POLYNESIAN WEAPONS

Two ball headed clubs; and a New Hebrides Mallicolo long handled club, with four carved protrusions at end, 21", 25" and 36". 

$300-500

173

TWO MEXICAN MASKS

Papier-mache from old newspaper, yellow, white and red paint, with long horns, 16"; Carved wood face mask with horns, leather ears and gray horsehair, black, with red and white features, 10" l. 

$100-200

174

POLYNESIAN BLADED WEAPON

Intricately carved handle, steel blade with pointed end, 16" l. 

$300-500

175

TEKE MASK

Teke-Tsaye culture, Democratic Republic of Congo, dance mask, carved in abstract, geometric form with a horizontal division of the rounded face, the mask has various incised designs, including a stylized bird, called "Mossenjo", the mask was used by the Kidumu society, a bite cord remains attached, an older, less elaborate example in contrast to the more recent, highly stylized decorative ones on the market, aesthetically, the mask demonstrates the early influence of African carvings upon modern art, 14" h. 

$200-400

176

METOKO MASK

Metoko culture, Democratic Republic of Congo, dance mask, represents the simplified style, the face reduced to basic elements, yet the surface alive with various pigment patterns, 12" h. 

$200-400

177

DAN MASK

Dan culture, Liberia, dance mask, female mask has narrow, slit eyes, large rounded forehead, and sensual mouth, the embodiment of beauty, called "deangle", the mask represented a teaching spirit that guided the young through coming-of-age camp, 10" h. 

$400-600

178

DAN MASK

Dan culture, Liberia, "passport mask", small masks were carved to be carried for protection against dangerous spirits, they were deliberately thin so they could be kept in clothing, but the surface reflects the attention of the devotee, the mask represents a protective spirit, a particularly beautiful example, 6" h. 

$200-400

179

DOGON MASK

Dogon culture, Mali, dance mask, an aesthetically serene visage of dignity and power, an elongated face with a curved facial plane, according to oral sources, the Dogon migrated from the Nile to live in the Bandiagara escarpment in Mali, their oldest carvings are made from very hard wood such as this example with astonishing abstract forms, masks are used in different men's societies to reflect levels of knowledge, 13" h. 

$400-600

180

BAULE ELDER'S STOOL

Baule culture, Ivory Coast, elder's stool, stools with images carved in relief are rare among the Baule, they were used by chiefs and elders, and the images on the sides reflect the retinue who honor him, a classic Baule face-mask images is on one side, 8" h, 10" w. 

$300-500

181

HEMBA POWER FIGURE

Hemba culture, Democratic Republic of Congo, power figure, Janus images of male and females united were used for protection and power by the Hemba, the center cranium was hollowed out and magical substances were inserted to activate the figure, some believe the image represents the primordial parents of a lineage, 10" h. 

$300-500

182

TEKE FETISH FIGURE

Teke culture, Democratic Republic of Congo, fetish statue, the figure was created at the birth of a child to protect the infant from disease, various substances were applied building up the surface, the vertical striations on the face and the coiffure are classical elements of the Teke aesthetic, 14" h. 

$300-500

183

LWENA FEMALE FIGURE

Lwena culture, Angola, commemorative figure, this rare female figure honors the head of the matrilineal Lwena, in the back is a plug filling a hole in which magical substances had been inserted, the finely carved head creates a serene image, 18" h. 

$300-500

184

YORUBA HEAD CREST

Yoruba culture, Nigeria, head crest, rare equestrian figure honors a warrior of a clan, who might also be an orisha (or diety), which could be a consecrated object for devotion, the image displays an older style, more characteristic of mid 20th c., 14" h. 

$400-600

185

BAULE SHRINE FIGURES

Baule culture, Ivory Coast, male and female seated figures, the images represent humans in a trance-like pose with dignity and noble bearing, Baule believed in spirit beings who could intercede for humans and their carvings are refined with great attention to details such as scarification patterns, these images have sacrificial residue on their surface, 14 1/2" h. 

$500-700

186

YORUBA TWIN FIGURE

Yoruba culture, Nigeria, twin figure, Yoruba believed twins could bring good fortune if they were honored, twins were believed to share a soul, when a twin died, a statue was carved to house the half soul, clothing (such as a coat and hat) sometimes adorned the figures, cowrie shells were a sign of wealth, 10" h. 

$300-400

187

YORUBA SHRINE FIGURE

Yoruba culture, Nigeria, Shango shrine figure, this very old and rare figure shows the remnants of sacrificial attention, the female devotee sought the creative power of orisha Shango to have a strong child, (figure obtained from Ladislas Segy gallery, New York City, late 1970's), 18" h. 

$400-600

188

KRAN WARRIOR MASK

Kran culture, Liberia, warrior mask, the object expressed the power and force of the warrior, with tusks, and exaggerated forms, good signs of age and use, 14" h. 

$300-400

189

RARE FANG DANCE MASK

Fang culture, Gabon, dance mask, this very old mask displays fine balance, wear and design, the image combines forceful dignity and gravity with a perimeter of triangles representing a stylized beard but also radiating energy, 12" h. 

$600-800

190

IZZI DANCE MASK

Izzi culture, Nigeria, dance mask, similar in some regards to the Northwest Coast transformation masks, this object combines both the human face and the abstract design of elephant tusks, many images from this region balance two forms - males and female or human and animal, 22" l. 

$400-600

191

SENUFO MALE FIGURE

Senufo culture, Ivory Coast, shrine figure, this male statue reflects an older, more restrained style, in contrast to the more curved forms of recent Senufo art, the effect is one of strength from the broad shoulders and stoic countenance, 16 1/2" h. 

$300-500

192

TWO TEMNE SHRINE FIGURES

Temne culture, Sierra Leone, shrine figures, among the matrilineal Temne and Mende, statues were carved of important females in the lineage, these figures reflect a conservative form from the early 20th c., both have a well worn patina and evidence of use, 11" and 12 1/2" h. 

$300-500

193

SIX LUBA FIGURES

Luba culture, Democratic Republic of Congo, personal power figures, while Luba art is quickly recognizable, this grouping shows some of the variety of styles, most Luba figures are female and connected to fertility, several pieces have cranial cavities with the remains of sacrificial elements, 6" to 11" h. 

$400-600

194

KUBA HELMET MASK

Kuba culture, Democratic Republic of Congo, helmet mask, this rare, massive male mask is a complex assemblage of geometrical patterns and pigments, the curved animal horns are a sign of power, the conical eyes are deeply set and distinctively pronounced to show force, 25" l. 

$400-700

195

MOSSI DOLL

Mossi culture, Burkino Faso, fertility figure, this finely carved figure is an excellent representation of the geometric possibilities of Mossi form, with a crescent coiffure and minimal details suggesting the face and torso, 9" h. 

$200-400

196

BIRD FIGURE

Baga, West Africa, carved wood with beak rest on man's head, raised wings, 34" h. 

$200-400

197

SENUFO FIGURE

Senufo (Cote d'Ivoire) seated female fertility figure, hands at breasts, 32" h. 

$300-500

198

SENUFO MATERNITY FIGURE

Senufo (Cote d'Ivoire) standing female maternity figure, scarification on face and on belly, young child on back, some chipping, 44" h. 

$500-700

199

AFRICAN SHIELD

Oval leather shield, water buffalo hide, red and black pigment, decorated wood edge and handle, edge wrapped and bound with leather strap, (Note: older auction tag of "The Auction Gallery of Paul Dias Inc., Hanson, Ma."), 35" h. 

$200-400

200

TWO TALL PLANK MASKS

Mossi, Yatenga, wood, pigments, face bisected with a carved ridge, 46" h; Oval-shaped face, with diamond shape carved eyes, tall plank with human figure at top, carved wood with red, black and white pigment, 53" h. 

$500-700

201

TWO CARVED MASKS

Ngere (Wobe), Dan Group, Ivory Coast, leopard society, quills, feathers, metal teeth, blackened surface, 12" h; NBete, Dan Group, Ivory Coast, raffia beard, two sets of horns, blackened surface, 11" h. 

$300-400

202

BAMBARA MASK

Bamana, wood with black applied substance, made to honor the diety Kore, 18" h. 

$300-500

203

THREE CARVED FIGURES

Baule male figure, intricately carved coiffure, hands on belly, 31" h; Two female figures, one seated, 28" and 24" h. 

$400-600

204

TWO RELIQUARY FIGURES

Wood covered in metal, Kota with brass covering, decorated with elaborate headdress with embossed facing lizards, raised eyes, 19" h; Mahongwe (Gabon) wood with copper covering, 20" h. 

$300-500

205

TWO DRUMS

Kuba, finely decorated, carved interwoven rings, reddish pigment, stitched top held with small wood pegs, old patina, footed, 16" h; Old carved wood, leather top with fur, heavy pegs at top, well used condition, 24" h. 

$300-500

206

TWO NIGERIAN MASKS

Ejagham (Ekoi), Cross River Group, headdress, carved with leather covering, carved teeth, old patina, (missing fur on head), 13" h; Widekum People, large carved wood mask, covered in antelope skin, protruding ridge on top of head, 17" h. 

$300-500

207

TWO KUBA HELMET MASKS

MBoon, with cowrie shells, fabric and seed pods, eyes show yellow and white pigment, 10" h; Carved wood with black pigment, white pigment on coiffure, eyes and ears, 13" h. 

$400-600

208

KUBA HELMET MASK

Red pigment, raffia, Mwaash A MBoy, nose and ears applied separately, beaded with iron tacks, curved appendage on forehead represents an elephant's trunk, 19" h. 

$300-500

209

DOGON MASK

Dogon (Mali) carved mask, stylized horn bill surmounted with female figure, red and black pigment, encrustation, 33" h. 

$600-800

210

BASKETRY HEADDRESS

Mossi, with feathered crest, decorated with four rows of cowrie shells, and three nesting woven baskets, leather edged, from the Thomas T. Bouve collection, (ex. Mason Foley; ex. John P. Richardson collection, Hingham, Mass.). 

$300-500

211

CARVED MARBLE BOARD

Handles for transporting, carved figures and mask on two sides, black pigment, 11" h, 28" l. 

$300-500

212

CARVED SONGYE POWER FIGURE

Highly decorated with large head, copper tacks, copper sheeting, monkey fur, spotted feathers, protruding belly, magical substances attached at upper arms, wrapped wire, horn on top of head, 24" h. 

$400-600

213

THREE CARVED WOOD MASKS

Songye and Luba: Kifwebe Society, pigment, raffia, concentric facial lines, squared mouths, 19" and 17" h; Round mask with black, red and white pigment, 12" dia. 

$500-700

214

STANDING KUBA FIGURE

Black pigment figure wearing a mask with gold and white pigment, feathered headdress, woven raffia vest, and leggings, 36" h. 

$400-600

215

TWO CARVED STATUARY FIGURES

Lu Luwa Cup, seated male figure, hands holding head, carved handle in shape of a human figure, 11" h; Cross legged female fertility figure, holding a cup with a horn bill around her neck, with raffia wrap, 26" h. 

$300-500

216

BRONZE MALE FIGURE

Tall standing figure, highly decorated with scarification of face, (one hand missing), 39" h. 

$300-400

217

MAKONDE CARVED PLAQUE

Iron and wood, seven masked faces, 22" l. 

$100-200

218

HEMBE MALE FIGURE

Standing male ancestor figure, Hembe, finely carved facial features with beard, intricately carved coiffure in back, hands on belly, 30" h. 

$200-400

219

FERTILITY FIGURE

Standing female fertility figure, intricately carved coiffure, scarification on chest, belly and face, right hand holding breast, 31" h. 

$300-500

220

TWO HEADDRESSES

Kuba basketry headdresses: Decorated with cowrie shells and attached blue, red and yellow beads, black and white beads surrounding the protruding eyes, feathers and attached leather at base, 19" h; Raffia beard with feathered headdress, attached wood nose with white pigment, 30" h. 

$400-600

221

SEATED FEMALE FIGURE

Fang-Ngumba, ancestor/guardian of the Southern Cameroon, white pigment on metal eyes, head drilled to hold ritual elements, leather around waist, 14" h. 

$300-500

222

TWO DOGON FIGURES

Male and female, representing the concept of social order and harmony, both with hands on knees, 20" and 18" h. 

$300-500

223

TWO STANDING MALE FIGURES

Hemba, standing male ancestor figure, elongated face holding long beard, intricately carved coiffure, scarification on belly, 35" h; Another standing male figure holding beard, with headdress surmounted with lizard, 20" h. 

$200-400

224

THREE MASKS

Pende, Mbuya, mask, white and black pigment separating the face into two sections, representing a clown, fiber head covering, 12" h; Two Chokwe masks, both with extensive scarification, 11" and 12" h. 

$400-600

225

CARVED MASK

Large carved wood mask, extensive elaborate scarification, attached skin, well used, 29" h. 

$300-500

226

BRONZE HEAD

Ivory Coast, decorated with birds and reptiles, cast cowrie shells, 14" h. 

$200-400

227

SEATED FEMALE FERTILITY FIGURE

Idoma, Nigeria, traces of white kaolin pigments, cane and skin head covering with magical substance attachment, carved coiffure, carrying child on back, 19" h. 

$400-600

228

TWO NIGERIAN CONTAINERS

Fired clay, flared top, red bases with darkened tops, concentric circles on larger container and circular decoration, raised on a flared foot, 25" and 21" h. 

$300-500

229

MENDE HELMET MASK

Sande Women's Society, Mende, helmet mask, Sierra Leone, elaborate hairstyle, delicate female features, black pigment, 17" h. 

$400-600

230

TWO CARVED STATUES

Yoruba, Egungun hunter, with carved shrine depicting lizards, 16" h; Standing figure with blackened red and yellow pigment, missing arms, 17" h. 

$200-400

231

TWO ASANTE DOLLS

Ghana, Akan sculpture "Akua 'ba" dolls, carried by girls to help promote conception and ensure beauty, 16" and 14" h. 

$200-300

232

NIGERIAN HEADDRESS

Mumuye, Nigeria, bush cow headdress, red pigment, circular eyes with kaolin, well worn, 20" l. 

$400-600

233

THREE DOLLS

Akan, Asante, Akua'ba, (similar to Lot 231), in black pigment, two are 14" h, one is 16" h. 

$200-400

234

THREE KUBA WEAVINGS; KUBA MASK

Two in dark and light, (18" and 19" sq), and multicolor in tan, black and yellow, (28" sq); and a Kuba mask, (Ngaady A Mwaash), with cloth headdress decorated with cowrie shells, colored beads, good age, patina. 

$400-600

235

TWO MASKS

Mossi (Burkina Faso) transformation mask, human face with horns, carved geometric designs with red and black pigment, 18" h; Round face mask, multicolored with red and black dots, lines on white, 12" h. 

$300-500

236

TWO MASKS

Mossi transformation mask, carved horns, incised scarification, 13" l; Antelope carved headdress mask, polished surface, concentric circular eyes with white kaolin, 16" h. 

$300-500

237

CONTAINER AND PIPE

Seated figure on carved stool, arms raised, body trunk is the container, 14" h; Carved pipe with bowl-shaped head and long stem, with geometric decoration and small carved head, 13" l. 

$200-400

238

CARVED STANDING MUSICIAN

Senufo, playing a xylophone hung around his neck, and smoking a pipe, 17 1/2" h. 

$100-300

239

CARVED MASKETTE/HANGING

Senufo, extensive scarification, surmounted bird with head, 15" h. 

$200-300

240

THREE MOSSI CHARMS (DOLLS)

Burkina Faso, used to promote fertility, one is leather covered, 14", 13 1/2" and 11" l. 

$200-300

241

THREE MASKS

Black and white pigments, decorative style, 10 1/2" and 12". 

$200-400

242

TWO MALE ANCESTOR FIGURES

Standing Hemba figures, carved chin beards, one with cross on the back of the head, 17" and 19 1/2" h. 

$200-400

243

MASK, CONTAINER AND FEMALE FIGURE

Standing Kuba dancer in a carved "Mwaash A MBoy" mask, beads, cowrie shells, raffia, 12" h; Animalistic container, oval-shaped on four legs, 13" l; Half female figure, with drilled hole for magical substance, 17" h. 

$300-400

244

TWO HELMET MASKS

Carved horns and white kaolin on a black pigment, skin covered top and base, 14" h; Black pigment colored headdress, 10" h. 

$400-600

245

THREE BRACELETS

Bronze, all with decoration, 3" to 3 1/2" w. 

$100-200

246

FOUR SMALL CARVED WOOD FIGURES

Yaka kneeling statuette, with hands on knees, 7 1/2" h; Two light colored fertility dolls, one with beads and trinkets around the neck, 9" h; Seated figure with carved horn headdress and red seed eyes, 10" h. 

$200-400

247

LEGA FACE MASK

Bwami Association, carved wood covered with kaolin, fiber beard, heart-shaped face, outlined in black, mounted on a wood block, 10" h (without fiber). 

$500-700

248

TWO MASKS AND A HEADDRESS

Senufo transformation mask with horns, elaborate scarification, (some damage), 15" h; Benue River, bush cow headdress, Nigeria, stylized carving with horns, 26" h; Transformation mask, with red horns and tongue, carved teeth, 14" h. 

$300-400

249

HEDDLE PULLEY AND BAULE MASKETTE/HIP MASK

Three-face pulley, with neck scarification, 10 1/2" h; Transformation mask with curved horns, black polished surface, 13" h. 

250

NEPAL TRUMPET

Brass and copper, highly decorated, with raised geometric designs resembling scales, shaped in the form of a horned mythical dragon, 24" l. 

$50-100