Tamarin >> African art
FANG "BIERI"
WOOD AND METAL
A superb Fang "bieri". Its sheen, oily and crusty at the same time, manifests the numerous offerings that this guardian of relics has received. The head is finely sculpted and the body elongated. Its size is relatively small but the balance of the legs, shoulders and head is perfect. This "bieri", from a European collection, is a remarkable example of the beauty of Fang art.
Price: €8,500
Carving - sculptures - statues
Tamarin >> African art
LULUA FIGURE
The Lulua, a sub-group of the Luba, are based along the Lulua river, in the region of Kasai. Their sculptures are characterized by disproportionate faces and a very intricate sculpture on the bodies, often covered by tattoos and geometric patterns. The hairstyle, held towards the back of the head tops off into a pointed shape.
The body of this statue is almost entirely sculpted. The stomach, pointed, is covered with concentric lines – a symbol of fertility. The face, heavily scarified, shows evidence of several traces of sacrificial material. The base, completely eroded, leaves one to imagine that the statue was planted in the ground in direct contact with the earth. The back, at the height of the neck also carries traces of termite damage.
Height: 32 inch
Price: €2,800
Carving - sculptures - statues
Tamarin >> African art
Dogon figure
Wth his raised arms, this Dogon figure of a strong Telem influence, invokes the Nommo, important characters of the Dogon mythology.
Hard wood with important erosion (one of the arms is almost missing). Old sacrificial crust on the front. This figure, purchased in the 50's, comes from a European collection. Original stand made in the 50's for the previous owner.
Height: 16 inch
Price: €1,100
Carving - sculptures - statues
Tamarin >> African art
KOTA RELIQUARY
For the Kota from Gabon, the cult of the ancestors plays a central and important role in the life of the society. At the death of a clan, or family chief, parts of his body are kept in a receptacle, usually surmounted with statue.
Theses statues, or reliquaries, are made out of wood, covered with brass and copper sheets. Fastened on the top of the receptacle, they are subject to a great attention and often used for dances and ceremonies calling for the spirit of the ancestor.
This reliquary wears important signs of erosion at the base and reparation on the back.
Height: 21 inch
Price: €750
Carving - sculptures - statues
Tamarin >> African art
SALAMPASU MASK
The Salampasu, warriors and hunters, were established to the east of the Kasai river. Art of the Salampsau is essentially constituted by masks. There exist in fact very few statues or ceremonial objects.
There are three types of Salampasu masks. Each symbolizes the three classes of society: warriors, hunters and the chief.
Masks are used during initiation ceremonies as well gatherings between the three social classes.
This mask he mask carries traits of the warrior brotherhood. The mouth, painted white, gives an appearance of pointed teeth. The top of the mask is covered with balls of fiber attached together.
Height: 13 inch
Price: 550 Euros
Price: €550
Carving - sculptures - statues
