Catalog (359)

Yoruba stool with a dog (?) , Nigeria. Ex Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021). Mid 20th century or older. H. 28 cm, diameter 22 cm.

A serene mask from the first half of the 20th century. H. 23 cm, L. 26 cm. Light traces of pigment. Ex coll. Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021), The Netherlands. Guy van Rijn archive: ao-0110538-001.

Colorful altar from the Ketu region in Benin. Carved all around with a maternity figure and 3 other figures. At the back there is an opening with a tin frame. Probably this part was originally covered by a small door. H. 40 cm, D 30 cm. Mid 20th century or older. Ex coll. Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021), The Netherlands. Guy van Rijn archive: ao-0104491-001. Hans Witte commented about this object: this form is typical for the Oshumare shrines from Ketu. The colors red-white-yellow point to the cultus complex of Nana Buruku.

A very rare group from Ketu, Benin, probably used as a divination tray or as a display piece for an important Babalawo. Diameter 52 cm, H. 30 cm. Mid 20th century. The hand of one figure has been replaced. Ex coll. Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021), The Netherlands Ex Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg Guy van Rijn archive: ao-0102485-005 with comments from Ursula Voorhuis and Hans Witte. The scene depicts the consultation of the Ifa oracle by a woman. The Babalawo (father of the secret) or oracle priest in charge sits to the right of the woman. He has taken 16 palm nuts from the ‘Agere Ifa’ (cup for palm nuts), that stands beside him and is about throw the nuts from his left to his right hand. If he drops one nut in the process, he will make two marks in the wood dust on the oracle tray before him, if he misses two nuts, he will make one mark. After two sets of four throws, the result on the tray will indicate to him the oracle verses he will have to recite to his client. The third person that seems to supervise the proceedings is also a Babalawo and even an important one, judging from the thick beaded necklace that hangs over his chest, with an attachment from his neck. It seems that his right hand held a staff, probably an Ifa tapper that is used to tick on the tray in order to attract the attention of Eshu, the messenger.

Hardwood group depicting a horse rider surrounded by a kneeling figure and two drum players. H. 19 cm. First half of the 20th century. Some missing parts on the kneeling figure. Ex coll. Ursula Heijs Voorhuis (1932-2021), The Netherlands. Ex Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, Germany.

Rare and heavy silver necklace with fine floral engravings. This piece was collected in Thailand. H. 16 cm (excl. stand) W. 17,5 cm. Weight 700 gram. Inside diameter 11 cm. Age: early to mid 20th century. Comes with a custom made stand.

Antelope mask from the Eastern Pende Peoples. Early to mid 20th century. Excellent age wear and patina. H. 45 cm. Yale archive: ao-0038719-001 Provenance: Coll. Christaens Coll. Joseph Hans, Brussels Mamadou Keita, Amsterdam Danny de Waele, Ghent, Belgium, 1995

Lovely Losso ancestor figure with an amazing patina. There is a leather band around one of the legs. H. 24,5 cm. Ex. Alain Dufour, Paris.

Guangdong, mid 20th century. H. 34 and 31,5 cm. Custom made stands included.

A stunning pair of Himachal Pradesh bracelets with double Makara heads. Made of high grade silver (acid tested) with details in green and blue enamel. Finely engraved details. Inner size: 5,5 x 4 cm. Outer size 7,3 x 5,5 cm. Weight 361 gr. Very good condition. Provenance: Collection Baobab, Amsterdam, collected in situ in the 1980’s. Private collection Amsterdam.

Ex Joris Visser, Brussels. H. 55 cm. First half 20th century. Excellent condition.

Lovemaking couple, mid 20th century. h. 35,5 cm. Provenance: Alain & Angèle Larem, Switzerland Madeleine and Jean-Jacques Keller (until 1980 Abidjan, later Rheinfelden). Good condition with nice age wear.

Bateba Phuwe, made by the ‘carver of the long neck’. Mid 20th century. H. 29 cm. Good condition. Literature: Katsouros/Herkenhoff - Anonyme Schnitzer der Lobi.

Stunning Yoruba stool from the collection of Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021), The Netherlands. Supported by 6 figures: a family with a nursing mother, a man with a goat, a maternity and a man with a walking stick. H. 30 cm, diameter 33 cm. First half of the 20th century. Condition: age cracks, repair to the goat, some missing parts. Overall in good condition with a lovely patina and remains of Reckitt Blue pigments.

Alusi shrine figure. H. 59 cm. First half of the 20th century. Ex Jacques Kerchache (1942 - 2001), ex Christie’s Paris, 29-10-2008, ex galerie Walu Basel, ex Hammer Auktionen. Guy van Rijn archive ao-0093787-001.

H. 85 cm.  Mid 20th century. Artist: Tage from Kpwazang (?) Provenance: Norfolk State Museum Marc Assayag, Montreal, Canada Srdjan Sremac, The Hague Auction: Dorotheum Vienna, ‘Tribal Art’, March 2022.

Helmet mask with three faces, Ekoi, Cross River, Nigeria.  Height 62 cm. Mid 20th century. Partly covered with antelope skin. The headdress and the three figures are attached on (partly new) wooden pins and can easily be removed for transport. There is old rodent damage to the figures. Ex Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021), The Netherlands. A (heavy) stand can be included. More pictures available on request.