- 41
Statuette, Bwende, République du Congo
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 EUR
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Description
- Bwende
- Statuette
- wood
- haut. 21 cm
- 8 1/4 in
Provenance
Probablement acquis in situ par la Svenska Missionskyrkan, ca. 1920
Collection Erik Mesterton, Suède
Collection privée européenne
Collection Erik Mesterton, Suède
Collection privée européenne
Condition
Good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. Beautiful brown reddish patina with dark areas to theneck, face and headdress. Old loss to the front of the base which was probably broken and glued in another part.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Aux caractéristiques classiques de la statuaire des Bembe voisins (visage aux traits naturalistes, coiffe en crête sagittale, yeux sertis de porcelaine) s'ajoutent ici les spécificités du canon de l'art Bwendé, accordant une place privilégiée à la parure corporelle. "L'ampleur des membres supérieurs s'inscrit dans un rectangle démesuré dont la longueur s'intègre un peu plus de deux fois dans la hauteur totale du personnage. [...] Les pectoraux portent un long tatouage en V. Sur l'estomac est dessiné l'idéogramme des 'quatre moments du soleil' : les stances importantes de la vie de l'homme Kongo" (Lehuard, Art Bakongo. Les centres de style, 1989, p. 171-172).
Chaque geste exprimant un concept inhérent à la pensée Kongo, cette conception volontairement amplifiée du torse concentre l’attention sur l’attitude des mains posées sur le ventre, signifiant l’adresse d’une prière secrète, d'une invocation (idem, p. 115).