- 48
Massue, Swazi, Nguni du nord, Afrique du Sud
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 EUR
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- Swazi
- Massue
- wood
- haut. 65 cm
- 25 1/2 in
Provenance
Collection Abel Aubert du Petit-Thouars, Paris
Collection Pierre-Guillaume Boucot, Paris
Collection Pierre-Guillaume Boucot, Paris
Condition
Very good condition overall. A few running hairlines at the base of the club. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. Beautiful dark red-brown nuanced patina.
"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
Les sculpteurs d’Afrique du Sud sont maîtres dans l'art de transfigurer les objets usuels en y apportant une infime modification (Joubert et Valentin, Ubuntu, arts et culture d’Afrique du Sud, 2002, p.232). La cuillère anthropomorphe Zulu présentée au musée du Louvre (Pavillon des Sessions, inv. n° 71.1977.52.14) en est un éclatant exemple.
C’est le même génie artistique qui s’incarne dans cette massue : en y ajoutant le seul relief d’une poitrine, le sculpteur a magistralement transformé un objet en une œuvre porteuse de signification. La tête en volutes de la massue est décentrée par rapport à l’axe de la hampe très subtilement incurvée, figurant un délicat et altier port de tête. La - très rare - cupule creusée au sommet servait probablement à y ajouter un élément magico-religieux. L'unique œuvre très apparentée est un bâton de danse de la collection de l'artiste Jean Willy Mestach (Maurer, The Intelligence of Forms, 1991, p. 41, n° 5).