Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 121

May 26-27 Collectibles Auction

African Art

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 208		Exceptional Mid-Century Kpwan Plé Mask, Boule, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast, West Africa). Striking mid-century, Kpwan (Kpan) Plé ceremonial mask which is larger and heavier than other Boule masks as it is attached to enormous cascades of raffia nearly covering the entire body of the dancer. Carved from a single piece of wood the mask boasts far greater craftsmanship than those masks available "to the trade" meaning tourists. The typical details found in the face area of mask is set apart by the carved rams horns and enhanced greatly by the large female figure sitting atop symbolizing fertility. Piece is just at 20" tall, 4½ wide having no fissures or cracks. Mask is carved from a single piece of hardwood and given the open arms, the horns extended from sides and the high relief details, this mask rises above most. Mask has wire attached on back where it can be safely hung and displayed. Estimated Value $600 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 209		Antique Dogon African Wood Granary House Door with Sliding Lock from Mali, West Africa, 17 Carved Female Forms in Presentation Plexi Box. From Mali, West Africa, a vintage original, elaborately hand carved wood granary door. This example is especially fine given the 18 carved, high relief relief female figures. A quick internet search "Dogon granaries" will reveal the countless, small, straw-topped, mud-bricked storage units holding millet that are very much visible today as they have been over hundreds of years. Such decorative doors are widely common, many with symbols of protection as is the case here. Granary door was likely carved between 1930s to 1950s. It measures 28 x 12½", with door slide very much present. The very detailed carvings are virtually intact with just one chip to one of the female figures otherwise a fantastic pieces boasting great visual appeal. Door can be displaye hung as is, hanging wire firmly affixed on verso. But it can be hung on the wall housed in a custom plexi box (which is included) which gives great protection to the work and certainly gives it a museum caliber appeal. 33 x 14 x 4" with dowels that prop the piece upright within the box and professionally wired on verso for proper and secure hanging. Estimated Value $500 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $300
Lot 210		Vintage Dogon Bronze Sculpture of Tribesman with Exceptional Detail, Colors and Natural Patina. Extremely appealing vintage Dogon bronze sculpture of a tribesman hunter carrying a knife strapped to his arm water bag and an ax over his left shoulder. Beautiful craftsmanship is clearly visible boasting fine accents in natural pigments giving the piece contrast and color. Figure stands 11½" tall and is mounted to a lucite post and base stand for optimal display. Flawless condition and quite the striking piece. Estimated Value $500 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $312
Lot 211		Outstanding Yoruba Shanko Dance Wand, Mid-Century Hand Carved Piece with Colors. In special festivals and processions, followers of Shango, the Yoruba god of thunder, carry dance wands, Oshe Shango, depicting a female devotee with Shango's symbol, the double-headed axe. Shango is thought to control the great powers of nature as one of the Orisha, or gods. This is a great example of such festival pieces. What stands out is the height being a good six inches taller than the average. Also of note is the refined use of naturally found pigments and the patina achieved only with age. Wand measures 26 x 8 x 4" and has a decades old minor chip to one ear, and on the back of the right shoulder, a common drying crack in the wood that in no way compromises the integrity and strength of the piece. (Gallery sticker still affixed of $1450.00). Estimated Value $500 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $288
Lot 212		Superior Baule, Vintage Carved Wood Heddle Pulley Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast, West Africa). Across Cote d'Ivoire, heddle pulleys are used on narrow band looms to ease the movements of the heddles in strip cloth weaving, and allowing the shuttle to seamlessly pass through the layers of thread. Like many other carved objects used in everyday activities among the Baule, Guro, Senufo, Lagoon or Jimini peoples, these pulleys were often embellished by carvings of animals, figures or simply abstract designs. This example is particularly fine of a man seated holding a mask over his head. Note the upside down "U" shape is where a wire or wood dowel with a "pulley round" in the center would normally be (missing). A phenomenally appealing mid-20th Century find given the high caliber of carving. Indeed the piece is carved from a single piece of hardwood. 14 x 3 x 3" and in showcase condition (slight fissure decades old on back of actual pulley, common) Gallery sticker on verso from the 1960s was $475. Estimated Value $400 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $240
Lot 213		Female Bust, Baule, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast, West Africa) and One Mid-Century Male Nigerian Bronze, Yoruba, with Interesting Headpiece. Fine, mid-century (possibly older) Baule carved wood bust. Lovely piece made from a thick block of hard wood. Very traditional figurative carving measuring 12 x 7 x 5". Coupled with the carving is a cast bronze bust of a male using the lost wax method, the bronzes from the Ife & Benin regions which are considered to be some of the best from the region. A powerful image with fine refinement to the eyes and mouth, the striations of the skin and the details of the headpiece complete with its not so subtle phallic symbol. 10¾ x 5 x 5 with no issues. These are two fine pieces worthy of any collection. Estimated Value $400 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $240
Lot 214		Magnificent Yoruba Shango Priest, Elaborately Beaded Ceremonial Tunic Mid-20th Century. Ethnic masterpiece from the Yoruba people in Nigeria, worn by the Shango priest when officiating at ceremonies. The thousands of glass beads in intricate patterns and shapes are all hand stitched, with the embellishments in the tunic instrumental in delivering the spiritual powers conveyed upon the priests. The glass beadwork on the front and back is dense and completely covers every square inch. Figures of tribesmen, lions and a number of reptiles are exceptionally well beaded and also quilted, creating a remarkable work of dazzling shapes and raised contours interspersed with traditional geographic designs. One of the most dazzling pieces of ethnographic art we have ever offered, a masterpiece of the traditional textile arts of the Yoruba. Laid flat, the tunic is 82" x 32". It folds over to wear with its angular collar slipping over the head. Tunic is lined in rough cotton-like fabric and certainly displays age but integrity of hand stitching is very sound. A museum quality piece enhancing any collection. Estimated Value $2,000 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 215		Erotic, High Relief Wood Carving ca. 1960s on Custom Stand. Erotic and accomplished high relief wood carving from a single block of wood depicting a Cirque du Soleil level of foreplay. Panel itself measures 10½ x 7½ x 2½" depth. Mounted on a custom metal base having nice weight and giving the entire sculpture stability. total 17" tall. Estimated Value $300 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $209