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Petridis, Constantine

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Constantine Petridis (Editor)

The Language of Beauty in African Art

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Constantine Petridis (Editor)

PublisherArt Institute of Chicago

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-22993

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Note to the Reader: The information presented here reflects our knowledge at the time of printing; dating, stylistic attributions, and other factual inferences are based on the available scholarship. Where provenance does not appear, it was not provided by the lender, and ownership history may be unknown. Please consult the appropriate collection for more extensive documentation and additional details about a particular object.

1 Whose Aesthetics?

1

Chokwe; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Cup

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 13 cm (5 in.)

Private collection, Belgium

Provenance: Galerie Schoffel-Valluet, Paris; private collection; Christie’s, Paris, Dec. 11, 2014, lot 8.

2

Chokwe; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Snuff Mortar

Late 19th century

Wood, pigment, metal, and fiber

14 × 5.5. × 7.6 cm (5½ × 2 3/16 × 3 in.)

Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition, 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1089

Provenance: François Poncelet, Brussels, by 1922.

3

Chokwe; Angola

Female Face Mask (Mwana Pwo or Pwo)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, metal, and fiber

26 × 16.5 × 26 cm (10¼ × 6½ × 10¼ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Schweizer Premodern, New York Provenance: Reportedly private collection, Lisbon; Patrick Dierickx, Brussels, by 1982; Christie’s, London, June 29, 1994, lot 154; Philippe Ancart; Bernard de Grunne, Brussels; private collection, United States, 2003; Schweizer Premodern, New York.

4

Chokwe; Angola

Female Face Mask (Mwana Pwo or Pwo)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, beads, metal, fiber, and pigment

H. 20.3 cm (8 in.)

Private collection, New York

Provenance: Possibly Jean Willy Mestach, Brussels; Merton D. Simpson, New York; Harold and Florence Rome, New York, 1965 to 1978; Merton D. Simpson, New York; Michael Oliver, New York.

5

Chokwe; Angola

Male Figure (Identified as Chibinda Ilunga)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

49.3 × 12.9 × 13.2 cm (19 7/16 × 5 1/16 × 5 3/16 in.)

Museum Rietberg, Zurich, gift acquired through Novartis, 2007.1 Provenance: Private collection, Lisbon, c. 1924–28; Pierre Vérité, Paris, by 1950 to 2006; Hôtel Drouot, Paris, June 18, 2006, lot 227.

6

Chokwe; Angola

Male Figure

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 37.1 cm (14⅝ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Schweizer Premodern, New York Provenance: Private collection, France, by 1934; Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 1992, lot 33; private collection; Lance and Roberta Entwistle, London; Sidney and Bernice Clyman, Scarsdale, NY, 1999 (acquired with the assistance of William Acquavella, New York); Clyman family, by descent; Sotheby’s, New York, April 28, 2020 (private sale).

2 Deducing Aesthetic Preferences

2.1 Prestige

7

Olówè of Ìsè (c. 1869–1938) Yòrùbá: Èkìtì; Ìkéré, Nigeria Veranda Post (Òpó Ògògá) 1910–14

Wood and pigment

152.5 × 31.8 × 40.6 cm (60 × 12½ × 16 in.)

The Art Institute of Chicago, Major Acquisitions Centennial Fund, 1984.550

Provenance: Reportedly commissioned by Oníjàgbo Obásorò Alówólódù, Ògògá (King) of Ìkéré (reigned 1890–1928), Èkìtì State, now Nigeria, probably c. 1910–14; by descent to subsequent rulers, to 1964; Marvin Chasin, London; Gaston T. de Havenon, New York, by May 1981 to 1984.

8

Tsogo or Sango; Gabon Post

Early to mid-20th century

Wood, pigment, and cloth

190.5 × 17.8 × 14.6 cm (74 × 7 × 5¾ in.)

National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, gift of Walt Disney World Co., a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, 2005-6-226

Provenance: Paul and Ruth Tishman, New York, by 1968 to 1984; The Walt Disney Company, Burbank, CA, 1984 to 2005.

9

Dogon; Bombou-Toro region, Mali

Half-Male, Half-Female Figure

Possibly 18th century

Wood and pigment

H. 77 cm (30⅜ in.)

Private collection, New York

Provenance: Georges de Miré, Paris, before 1930; Hôtel Drouot, Paris, May 7, 1931, lot 35; Louis Carré, Paris; Jacob Epstein, London; Carlo Monzino, Lugano, Switzerland; Sotheby’s, New York (private sale).

10

Kuyu; Republic of the Congo

Figure

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, metal, and fiber

H. 114.4 cm (43⅞ in.)

Robert T. Wall Family Collection, San Francisco

Provenance: Acquired in the Republic of the Congo by Aristide Courtois; Pierre and Claude Vérité, Paris, c. 1944 to 2006; Hôtel Drouot, Paris, June 15 and 16, 2006, lot 189.

Art Institute of Chicago only

11

Bobo; Burkina Faso

Mask (Molo)

Early to mid-20th century

Wood, pigment, and cloth

H. 170 cm (67 in.)

Private collection, Canada

Provenance: Acquired in Burkina Faso by André Blandin; Mariette Henau, Antwerp; Johan Henau, Antwerp; Galerie Jacques Germain, Montreal.

Art Institute of Chicago only

12

Nuna; Burkina Faso

Female Figure

Early to mid-20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 83 cm (32 11/16 in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, 1005-4

13

Probably a Fonobele workshop

Senufo: Senambele; Côte d’Ivoire

Male and Female Paired Figures

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

146.1 × 29.2 × 22.9 cm (57½ × 11½ × 9 in.); 114.3 × 25.4 × 22.9 cm (45 × 10 × 9 in.)

National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, gift of Samuel Rubin, 78-14-7 and 78-14-8 Provenance: Samuel Rubin, New York, to 1978.

2.2 Value

14

Kongo: Yombe; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Staff Finial

19th to early 20th century

Elephant ivory and iron

19 × 5.5 × 6 cm (7½ × 2 3/16 × 2⅜ in.)

National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, gift of Walt Disney World Co., a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, 2005-6-33

Provenance: Nadya Levy, Antwerp; Henri Kamer, Paris; Paul and Ruth Tishman, New York, by 1968 to 1984; The Walt Disney Company, Burbank, CA, 1984 to 2005.

15

Kongo: Yombe; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ceremonial Fly Whisk

19th to early 20th century

Elephant ivory, wood, metal, and animal hair

H. 25.5 cm (10 in.)

Malcolm Collection; courtesy of Schweizer Premodern, New York Provenance: Reportedly Pierre Descamps, Brussels; Dos and Bertie Winkel, Delft, Netherlands; Émile Deletaille, Brussels; Pierre Loos, Brussels; Michael Oliver, New York, by 1983.

16

Kongo: Yombe; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Scepter (Mfunka)

19th to early 20th century

Elephant ivory and resin

32.7 × 5.1 × 5.1 cm (12⅞ × 2 × 2 in.)

Robert T. Wall Family Collection, San Francisco

Provenance: Acquired in Nzobe village, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo), Dec. 12, 1971; Lee Bronson, Los Angeles; Jacques and Brigitte Hautelet, La Jolla, CA, to 2003.

Art Institute of Chicago only

17

Yòrùbá; Nigeria

Male and Female Figure Pair (Edan Ògbóni)

19th century

Brass

The Kronos Collections

18

Yòrùbá: Ijebu; Nigeria

Face Bell (Omo)

17th or 18th century

Copper alloy

H. 24.5 cm (9¾ in.)

Malcolm Collection; courtesy of Schweizer Premodern, New York Provenance: Patricia Ann Withofs, London; Sotheby’s, London, June 17, 1991, lot 123; Udo Horstmann, Zug, Switzerland; Lance and Roberta Entwistle, London, by 2008.

19

Unidentified culture; possibly Benue River Valley, Nigeria

Male Figure

Possibly 19th century

Copper alloy

H. 44.7 cm (17⅝ in.)

The Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund, 2016.57 Provenance: Reportedly acquired in Nigeria during the Biafran War in 1968 or 1969; Hélène Leloup (previously Hélène Kamer) and Philippe Leloup, Paris and New York, 1968 or 1969 to 1993; private collection, 1993 to 2016.

20

Possibly Brong; Ghana

Female Figure

Early 20th century

Wood, pigment, gold, and silver

61 × 36.8 × 19.1 cm (24 × 14½ × 7½ in.)

Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Society Purchase, Eleanor Clay Ford Fund for African Art, 76.94 Provenance: Jay C. Leff, Uniontown, PA; Aaron and Joyce Furman, Furman Gallery, New York, by 1976.

21

Possibly Koma-Builsa; Ghana

Helmet

Possibly 18th century

Copper alloy

H. 23 cm (9 1/16 in.)

Horstmann Collection, Zug, Switzerland

22

Bamileke; Bandjoun Kingdom, Cameroon

Prestige Stool (Kuo)

Possibly 19th century

Wood, cotton, fiber, glass beads, and pigment

51 × 38 × 43 cm (20 1/16 × 14 15/16 × 16 15/16 in.)

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund, 2006.138 Provenance: King Kamga II Joseph of Bandjoun (reigned 1925–75), Cameroon; acquired in Bandjoun by Father Frank Christol, possibly as a gift from Kinga Kamga II, 1925 to 1930; Charles Ratton, Paris, possibly 1940 or earlier to 1974; Charles-François Ratton, Paris, 1974 to 1987; Hôtel Drouot, Paris, July 2, 1987, lot 216; Ewa and Yves Develon, Ramatuelle, France, and Paris, 1987 to 2006; Galerie Bernard Dulon, Paris, 2006.

23

Bamileke; Dschang region, Cameroon

Trophy Head (Atwonzen)

Possibly 18th entury

Wood, cloth, glass beads, cowrie shells, and fiber

H. 22 cm (8¾ in.)

Collection of Martin Doustar

Provenance: Herz Collection, Germany; Sotheby’s, London, July 2, 1990, lot 116; William and Ann Ziff, New York, 1990 to 2015; Christie’s, Paris, June 23, 2015, lot 36.

2.3 Extravagance

24

Northern Nguni: probably Zulu; South Africa

Headrest

19th century

Wood and pigment

16.5 × 30.5 cm (6½ × 12 in.)

Private collection, Belgium

Provenance: Arman, New York; John Giltsoff, Girona, Spain; Kevin Conru, Brussels.

25

Tsonga; Mozambique

Headrest

19th century

Wood and pigment

H. 14.5 cm (5 11/16 in.)

Horstmann Collection, Zug, Switzerland

26

Shona; Zimbabwe

Headrest

19th century Wood and pigment

H. 15.9 cm (6¼ in.)

Collection of Deborah Glasser, Boston

Provenance: Julius Carlebach, New York, 1961; Bertram Malenka, Bardar Collection, Boston, 1961 to 2018; Skinner Auctioneers, Marlborough, MA, Nov. 9, 2019, lot 196.

27

Mangbetu; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Backrest

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and beads

L. 110 cm (43¼ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Schweizer Premodern, New York

Provenance: Private collection, Belgium; Patrick Van de Velde, Belgium; Lucien Van de Velde, Antwerp; Ralph Nash, London; Merton D. Simpson, New York; Arnold H. Crane, Chicago; Crane family, by descent.

28

Nyamwezi; Tanzania

Ritual Stool (Kiti Cha Mtemi)

Early to mid-20th century

Wood, pigment, and cord

H. 42 cm (16½ in.)

Private collection, Belgium

Provenance: Gérard Wahl-Boyer, Paris; Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels; Claude-Henri Pirat; Didier Claes, Brussels.

29

Luluwa; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Caryatid Mortar 19th century

Wood, fiber, and pigment

8.5 × 4.5 × 2 cm (3 2/8 × 1¾ × 13/16 in.)

MAS | Museum aan de Stroom, Antwerp, purchase, 1920, AE.1177 1-2/2

Provenance: Henri Pareyn, Antwerp, by 1920.

30

Luluwa or Luntu; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Pipe Bowl

Early to mid-20th century

Wood, pigment, iron, and copper alloy

L. 25 cm (9¾ in.)

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Jo Hershey Selden Fund, 2008.152 Provenance: Pierre Langlois, Paris, possibly by 1987, to 1998; Galerie Ratton-Hourdé, Paris, Jan. 1998 to May 1998; private collection, Belgium; Karim Grusenmeyer, Brussels; Joaquin Pecci, Brussels, 2008.

31

Luba; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Water Pipe

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and metal

H. 53.5 cm (21 in.)

Private collection, United States Provenance: Lemaire, Brussels; Alan Brandt, New York, 1970; Donald Morris Gallery, Detroit; Florence and Donald Morris, Michigan.

32

Probably Northern Nguni; South Africa

Snuff Kerrie

19th century Wood and pigment

13 × 61.5 cm (5 × 24¼ in.)

Private collection, United States; courtesy of Jacaranda, New York Provenance: Michael Koenig, Brussels; Conru Collection, Brussels.

33

Zulu; South Africa

Snuff Kerrie

19th century

Wood, pigment, horn, and metal

11.5 × 60 cm (4½ × 23⅝ in.)

Private collection, United States Provenance: Jonathan Lowen, London; Kevin Conru, Brussels; Anna Bennett, Brussels; Jacaranda, New York.

34

Southern Sotho; Lesotho

Snuff Container

19th to early 20th century

Horn and wood

H. 10.8 cm (4¼ in.)

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund, 2010.202

Provenance: Steven G. Alpert, Dallas, by 2005; Daniel and Dori Rootenberg, Jacaranda Tribal, New York, 2005 to 2010.

35

Southern Sotho; Lesotho

Snuff Container

19th to early 20th century

Horn and wood

H. 13 cm (5⅛ in.)

Horstmann Collection, Zug, Switzerland

36

Southern Nguni; South Africa / Southern Sotho; Lesotho

Pipe

19th century

Wood, pigment, and iron

37 × 13.9 cm (14 9/16 × 5½ in.)

National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, museum purchase, 89-14-16

Provenance: Norman Hurst, Cambridge, MA, by 1984; Werner Muensterberger, New York, 1984 to 1989.

37

Zande; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Headrest–Container

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and fiber

L. 45.1 cm (17¾ in.)

Private collection, United States

Provenance: Possibly Umlauff, Hamburg, Germany; Dorothy Brill Robbins, New York; William W. Brill, New York; Sotheby’s, New York, Nov. 17, 2006, lot 114.

38

Mbuun; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Cup

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

20.5 × 8.5 × 8 cm (8 1/16 × 3⅜ × 3⅛ in.)

MAS | Museum aan de Stroom, Antwerp, purchase, 1920, AE.0281 Provenance: Henri Pareyn, Antwerp, by 1920.

39

Kuba; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Cup

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

21.6 × 11.4 × 13.3 cm (8½ × 4½ × 5¼ in.)

Brooklyn Museum, gift of Arturo and Paul Peralta-Ramos, 56.6.37

Provenance: Julius Carlebach, New York, by 1953; Millicent Rogers; Arturo and Paul Peralta-Ramos, 1953 to 1956, by descent.

40

Dan; probably Côte d’Ivoire

Ceremonial Ladle

19th to early 20th century

Wood, fiber, and pigment

H. 57.3 cm (22 9/16 in.)

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Severance and Greta Millikin Trust, 2013.52

Provenance: Acquired in Côte d’Ivoire by Pierre-Paul Grassé, 1934; by descent to his heirs, 1985 to 2013; Christie’s, Paris, June 19, 2013, lot 94.

41

Tsangui; Gabon

Spoon

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 21 cm (8¼ in.)

Private collection, Belgium Provenance: Galerie Nicolas Rolland, Paris.

42

Punu; Gabon

Spoon

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 36 cm (14⅛ in.)

Horstmann Collection, Zug, Switzerland

43

Yòrùbá: Oyo; Nigeria

Ritual Pot

20th century

Terracotta

H. 61 cm (24 in.)

Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, de Young, museum purchase, Dean C. Barnlund Bequest Fund, 1994.8a–b Provenance: Acquired in Africa, by 1980; James Willis Gallery, San Francisco, by 1989 to 1994. Art Institute of Chicago only

44

Ga’anda; Nigeria

Spirit Vessel (Mbir’thleng’nda)

20th century

Terracotta

H. 60 cm (23⅝ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, 1015-160

45

Bamileke; Cameroon

Pipe

20th century

Terracotta, wood, bark fiber, and pigment

H. with stem: 79.4 cm (31¼ in.) Robert T. Wall Family Collection, San Francisco

Provenance: Acquired in Cameroon by Martial Bronsin; Galerie Bernard Dulon, Paris, by 2006.

Art Institute of Chicago only

46

Bamum; Foumban, Cameroon

Display Cloth (Ndop)

Probably early 20th century

60 panels joined: cotton, plain weave; resist-dyed

171.1 × 327 cm (67⅜ × 128¾ in.)

The Art Institute of Chicago, Department of African and Amerindian Curator’s Discretionary and Louise A. Lutz Estate funds, 2010.4

Provenance: Purchased in Fumban by Clara Gebauer, by 1936; Paul Gebauer and Clara Gebauer, Portland, OR, 1936 to 1993; Dave DeRoche Gallery, San Francisco, 1993; Andres Moraga, Berkeley, CA, 2000; private collection, 2003 to 2009; Andres Moraga, Berkeley, CA, 2009–10.

3 Western Appreciations and Appropriations

3.1 Abstraction

47

Kota: Mindumu; Gabon

Reliquary Guardian Figure (Mbulu Ngulu)

19th century

Wood, copper, and brass

H. 70 cm (27 9/16 in.)

Private collection, Canada Provenance: Private collection, France, by 1930; André Lhote, Paris; Maître Ferri, Paris, Dec. 17, 1979, lot 210; Paolo Morigi, Lugano, Switzerland; private collection, Paris; Galerie Bernard Dulon, Paris; Galerie Jacques Germain, Montreal.

Art Institute of Chicago only

48

Kota: Ndassa; Gabon or Republic of the Congo

Reliquary Guardian Figure (Mbulu Ngulu)

19th century

Wood, copper, brass, and iron

H. 64 cm (25 3/16 in.)

Private collection, Canada

Provenance: René Rasmussen, Paris; Frum Collection, Toronto. Art Institute of Chicago only

49

Kota: Obamba or Mindumu; Gabon

Reliquary Guardian Figure (Mbulu Ngulu)

19th century

Wood, copper, and brass

H. 61 cm (24 in.)

Private collection, Belgium

Provenance: W. Sand, Brussels; Jean Willy Mestach, Brussels; Didier Claes, Brussels.

50

Attributed to the Sebe Master Kota: Obamba; Gabon

Reliquary Guardian Figure (Mbulu Ngulu)

19th century

Wood, copper, and brass

H. 53.3 cm (21 in.)

Private collection, Belgium

Provenance: Private collection, Rennes, France; Gallais et Livinec, Rennes, France, Oct. 23, 1975; Charles Ratton, Paris; Paolo Morigi, Lugano, Switzerland; Frum Collection, Toronto, 1985 to 2018; Sotheby’s, Paris, Dec. 12, 2018, lot 162.

51

Kota: Obamba; Gabon

Reliquary Guardian Figure (Mbulu Ngulu)

19th century

Wood, copper, and brass

50 × 22 × 8 cm (19 11/16 × 5⅝ × 3⅛ in.)

Simonis Collection, Germany

52

Kota: Obamba or Mindumu; Gabon

Reliquary Guardian Figure (Mbulu Ngulu)

19th century

Wood, copper, and brass

H. 41 cm (16⅛ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, 1019-4F

Provenance: Paul Guyot, by 1890.

53

Kota: Shake; Gabon

Reliquary Guardian Figure (Mbulu Ngulu)

19th century

Wood, copper, brass, and bone

H. 33 cm (13 in.)

Private collection, Canada

Provenance: Private collection, France; Loudmer-Poulain, Paris, June 20, 1980, lot 318; Marsha and Saul Stanoff, Los Angeles, 1980 to 2007; Sotheby’s, New York, May 17, 2007, lot 25; Galerie Jacques Germain, Montreal.

Art Institute of Chicago only

54

Kota: Sango; Gabon

Reliquary Guardian Figure (Mbulu Ngulu)

19th century

Wood, copper, brass, and bone

29 × 11 × 7.5 cm (11 7/16 × 4 5/16 × 2 15/16 in.)

Collection of Jan Calmeyn, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium Provenance: Galerie Alain Bovis, Paris.

3.2 Expressionism

55

Bamum; Cameroon

Crest Mask (Tungunga)

19th century

Wood and pigment

H. 51.5 cm (20¼ in.)

Collection of Laura and John Arnold, Houston

Provenance: Maurice de Vlaminck, Paris; Vlaminck family, by descent; Loudmer, Paris, July 2, 1987, lot 176; Saul and Marsha Stanoff, CA, 1987 to 2007; Sotheby’s, May 17, 2007, lot 22.

56

Bamileke; Batoufam Kingdom, Cameroon

Portrait of a Queen (Wife of King Njike)

Early 20th century Wood and pigment

H. 117 cm (46 in.)

Private collection, Belgium Provenance: René and Odette Delenne, Brussels, c. 1970 to 1997; Lance and Roberta Entwistle, London, 1997; Michel Périnet, Paris, 1997 to 2020; Christie’s, Paris, June 23, 2021, lot 58.

57

Bangwa; Cameroon

Drum

19th century

Wood and pigment

L. 69 cm (27 3/16 in.)

Private collection, Brussels Provenance: Edward Klejman, Paris; Guy Porré and Nathalie Chaboche, France; Galerie Bernard Dulon, Paris.

58

Bafo; Cameroon

Face Mask

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

45.1 × 22.2 × 13.3 cm (17¾ × 8¾ × 5¼ in.)

Robert T. Wall Family Collection, San Francisco

Provenance: Reportedly acquired in Cameroon before 1930; Walter Bondy, Berlin; Sotheby’s, London, Apr. 30, 1930, lot 99; Jacob Epstein, London, from 1930; Carlo Monzino, Castagnola, Italy; private collection, Europe; Sotheby’s, Paris, Sept. 30, 2002, lot 3; Galerie Bernard Dulon, Paris, 2002 to 2006.

Art Institute of Chicago only

59

Possibly Fang: Mabea; Cameroon

Head (Identified as a Monkey)

Possibly 17th to early 19th century

Wood and pigment

H. 18.4 cm (7¼ in.)

Collection of Laura and John Arnold, Houston

Provenance: Joseph Brummer, Paris; René Lalique, Paris; Frank Burty Haviland, Paris; Hôtel Drouot, Paris, June 22, 1936, lot 6; Charles Ratton, Paris; Morris J. Pinto, Paris and New York; Jay C. Leff, Uniontown, PA; Robin Symes, London; Sotheby’s, New York, May 25, 1999, lot 229; Darwin and Geri Reedy, Delwood, MN; Schweizer Premodern, New York.

3.3 Naturalism

60

Kuba: Bushoong; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Portrait Figure of a King (Ndop): Mbó Mbóósh, Mishé miShyááng máMbúl, or Kot áNće

c. 1760–1780

Wood (Crossopteryx febrifuga) and pigment

49.5 × 19.4 × 21.9 cm (19½ × 7⅝ × 8⅝ in.)

Brooklyn Museum, purchased with funds given by Mr. and Mrs. Alastair B. Martin, Mrs. Donald M. Oenslager, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Blum, and The Mrs. Florence A. Blum Fund, 61.33 Provenance: King Kot áPe of Mushenge (Nsheng), Kuba Kingdom, Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo), by 1909; Jules Renkin, Brussels, 1909 to 1934, as a gift from Kot áPe; Maurice Renkin, Brussels, 1934 to 1961, by descent.

61

Kuba; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Face Mask (Ngady Mwaash)

19th century

Wood, pigment, beads, cowrie shells, metal, fabric, and fiber

40 × 17 × 15 cm (15¾ × 6 11/16 × 5 15/16 in.)

MAS | Museum aan de Stroom, Antwerp, purchase, 1920, AE.0331 Provenance: Henri Pareyn, Antwerp, by 1920.

62

Kuba; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Cup

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment H. 19 cm (7½ in.)

Collection of Nicole and John Dintenfass, New York Provenance: Russell Roberts, Vienna.

63

Kuba: possibly Bushoong; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Cup

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

27.2 × 15.7 × 16.2 cm (10 11/16 × 6 3/16 × 6⅜ in.)

Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University, Bloomington, 77.34.2 Provenance: Frederick Pleasants Estate, Tucson, to 1976.

64

Kuba: Bushoong; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ceremonial Skirt

Possibly late 19th century

Raffia, plain weave and cotton, plain weave; pieced; appliquéd with raffia, plain weave in pearl stitches

78 × 525 cm (30¾ × 206¾ in.)

The Art Institute of Chicago, Edward E. Ayer Endowment, a memorial to Charles L. Hutchinson by his great friend and admirer; Samuel P. Avery and Maurice D. Galleher endowments, 1985.199

Provenance: Pierre Loos, Galerie Ambre-Congo, Brussels; Andres Moraga, Berkeley, CA, by 1985.

4 Standards of Beauty

4.1 Clarity

65

Bamana; Baninko region, Mali

Pair of Headdresses (Ciwara Kunw)

Mid-19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, metal, brass tacks, and grasses

98.4 × 40.9 × 10.8 cm (38¾ × 16⅛ × 4¼ in.); 79.4 × 31.8 × 7.6 cm (31¼ × 12½ × 3 in.)

The Art Institute of Chicago, Ada Turnbull Hertle Endowment, 1965.6–7

Provenance: Henri Kamer and Hélène Kamer (now Hélène Leloup), Paris, by 1965.

66

Bamana; Segou region, Mali Male Headdress (Ciwara Kun)

19th century

Mounted on a base designed by Kichizô Inagaki (Japanese, 1876–1951), Paris

Wood and pigment

H. 78 cm (30¾ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, 1004-36

Provenance: Acquired in West Africa, by 1930; Anthony Moris, Paris, by 1939; Josef Mueller, Solothurn, Switzerland.

67

Bamana; Kenedougou region, Mali

Female Headdress (Ciwara Kun)

19th century

Wood, pigment, and metal

H. 71.1 cm (28 in.)

Private collection, New York

Provenance: Acquired in the Minianka region, Mali, by F. H. Lem, 1933; Helena Rubinstein, New York and Paris, to 1966; Parke-Bernet, New York, Apr. 21, 1966, lot 69; E. Nathhorst, Stockholm.

68

Bamana; Bougouni region, Mali

Headdress (N’gonzon Kun)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and metal

28 × 51 × 7.5 cm (11 × 20 1/16 × 2 15/16 in.)

Private collection, Paris

Provenance: J. J. Klejman, New York; private collection, Geneva; Galerie Bernard Dulon, Paris.

69

Bamana; Djitoumou region, Mali

Headdress (N’gonzon Kun)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, metal, fiber, cord, and basketry

L. 58.5 cm (23 in.)

Private collection, New York

Provenance: Gaston de Havenon, New York.

70

Bamana; Bougouni region, Mali Headdress (Sogoni Kun)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 46 cm (18 in.)

Private collection, Belgium Provenance: Maurice Nicaud, Paris; Binoche et Giquello, Paris, March 21, 2018, lot 9.

71

Bamana; Bougouni region, Mali

Headdress (Sogoni Kun)

19th century

Mounted on a base designed by Kichizô Inagaki (Japanese, 1876–1951), Paris

Wood, pigment, (goat?) hair, and fiber

H. 52.1 cm (20½ in.)

Collection of Paula and Herbert R. Molner, Chicago

Provenance: Acquired in the Djitoumou region, Mali, by F. H. Lem, 1933; F. H. Lem, 1933 to 1947; Helena Rubinstein, New York and Paris, 1947 to 1966; Parke-Bernet, New York, Apr. 21, 1966, lot 79; Jay C. Leff, Uniontown, PA, 1966 to 1976; Pace Primitive Gallery, New York, 1976.

72

Bamana; Bougouni region, Mali

Headdress (Sogoni Kun)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, glass beads, and fiber

H. 40.5 cm (15 15/16 in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, 1004-187

Provenance: Armand Trampitsch; Ader-Picard-Tajan, Paris, Oct. 26, 1978, lot 66.

73

Bamana; Kenedougou or Banimounitié region, Mali

Headdress (Ciwara Kun)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and cowrie shells H. 54 cm (21¼ in.)

Private collection, Belgium

Provenance: Bernard and Bertrand Bottet, Nice, France, by 1960; Christie’s, Paris, June 14, 2002, lot 239; Bernard de Grunne, Brussels.

74

Bamana; Mali

Face Mask (N’tomo Kun)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and sacrificial materials

H. 29 cm (11½ in.)

Collection of Nicolas Saglio, Barcelona

Provenance: Patrick Girard, Lyon; Bernard Fraissine, Rodez, France; Galerie Olivier Castellano, Paris.

75

Bamana; Mali

Face Mask (N’tomo Kun)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, fiber, and cowrie shells

H. 29.5 cm (11⅝ in.)

Private collection, France; courtesy of Olivier Castellano, Paris

Provenance: René Rasmussen, Paris.

76

Bamana; possibly Segou region, Mali

Puppet in the Shape of a Female Bust (Yayoroba)

19th century

Mounted on a base designed by Kichizô Inagaki (Japanese, 1876–1951), Paris

Wood, pigment, and glass

H. 76 cm (30 in.)

Malcolm Collection; courtesy of Schweizer Premodern, New York

Provenance: Acquired in Mali, reportedly in Niena in the Koutiala region, by F. H. Lem, 1933; Helena Rubinstein, New York and Paris, to 1966; Parke-Bernet, New York, Apr. 21, 1966, lot 66; Allan Frumkin, Chicago and New York; Noma Copley, New York; Lance and Roberta Entwistle, London, by 1998.

77

Bamana; Mali

Female Figure (Jonyeleni or Nyeleni)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, copper, metal, and beads

51.8 × 12.4 × 15.2 cm (20⅜ × 4⅞ × 6 in.)

Detroit Institute of Arts, Bequest of Robert H. Tannahill, 70.46

Provenance: J. J. Klejman, New York; Robert H. Tannahill, Grosse Pointe, MI, to 1970.

78

Bamana; Mali

Female Figure (Jonyeleni or Nyeleni)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 59.5 cm (23 7/16 in.)

Horstmann Collection, Zug, Switzerland

4.2 Youthfulness

79

Mende; Sierra Leone

Helmet Mask (Sowei)

Early to mid-20th century

Wood, pigment, and metal

H. 36.8 cm (14½ in.)

Private collection, New York

Provenance: Mario and Laura Meneghini, Milan.

80

Attributed to the Nguabu Master (active 1920–50)

Mende; Sierra Leone Helmet Mask (Sowei)

Early to mid-20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 39 cm (15½ in.)

Malcolm Collection; courtesy of Schweizer Premodern, New York Provenance: Pace Gallery, New York, by 1979.

81

Sherbro or Mende; Sierra Leone

Helmet Mask (Sowei)

Early to mid-20th century

Wood and pigment

48.3 × 24.8 × 26.7 cm (19 × 9¾ × 10½ in.)

The Art Institute of Chicago, through prior acquisitions of the George F. Harding Collection, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert R. Molner, and the Ada Turnbull Hertle Endowment, 1997.361

Provenance: Private collection, London, by 1946; Ernst and Ruth Anspach, Greenwich, NY, by 1968 to at least 1983; Tom Slater, Political Gallery, Indianapolis, by 1997; Robert Laff, Chicago; Tom Slater, Political Gallery, Indianapolis, 1997.

82

Gola or Vai; Liberia

Helmet Mask (Sowei)

Early to mid-20th century

Wood and pigment H. 44.5 cm (17½ in.)

Private collection, Detroit

Provenance: Mario Meneghini, Monrovia, Liberia, 1982; Merton D. Simpson, New York; Donald Morris Gallery, Birmingham, MI.

83

Mende; Sierra Leone

Helmet Mask (Sowei)

20th century

Wood, pigment, and fiber

H. (mask only) 44.5 cm (17½ in.); (with fiber collar) 96.5 cm (38 in.)

Private collection, Detroit

Provenance: Amyas Naegele, New York.

4.3 Moderation

84

Yòrùbá: Yewa; Nigeria

Dance Staff (Oshe Sàngó)

Early 20th century

Wood and pigment H. 38.7 cm (15¼ in.)

The Art Institute of Chicago, gift of Richard Faletti, the Faletti Family Collection, 2003.177

Provenance: Jeffrey Hammer and Deborah Stokes, Chicago, by 1985; Richard J. Faletti and Barbara Faletti, Chicago, and Phoenix, AZ, 1985 to 2003.

85

Yòrùbá; Nigeria

Figural Staff (Ògó Èsù)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, metal, leather, fibers, nuts, and cowrie shells

H. 35.6 cm (14 in.)

Collection of Paula and Herbert R. Molner, Chicago

Provenance: Acquired in Nigeria in 1967 by Marilyn H. Houlberg, Chicago, to 1986.

86

Yòrùbá: Oye-Èkìtì; Nigeria

Helmet Mask (Epa Jagúnjagún)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and iron

H. 103 cm (40 9/16 in.)

Private collection

Provenance: Probably acquired in Nigeria, 1950s; Andrea Bolley, Toronto.

87

Attributed to Ajere Elewa of Epe Yòrùbá: Èkìtì; Nigeria

Face Mask (Epa Olóyiya)

Late 19th to mid-20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 62 cm (24 7/16 in.)

Collection of Deborah Glasser, Boston

Provenance: Muhammed Maritala, Agege (Ikeja, Lagos), Nigeria; Gert and Mareidi Stoll, Munich, Germany, 1965 to 2018.

88

Yòrùbá; Nigeria

Headdress (Gèlèdé)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 28 cm (11 in.)

Private collection, Canada

Provenance: Eric Robertson, New York; William Highes Hayden, New York; Sotheby’s, New York, Nov. 11, 2004, lot 76; William Rubin, New York; Galerie Jacques Germain, Montreal.

Art Institute of Chicago only

89

Attributed to Agbónbiofé of Efon-Alaiye (died 1945)

Yòrùbá: Èkìtì; Nigeria

Female Figure with a Bowl (Olúmèye)

Early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 36.8 cm (14½ in.)

Private collection, New York

Provenance: Robert Duperrier, Paris; Jeffrey S. Hammer and Deborah Hammer (born and later Deborah Stokes), Chicago.

90

Yorùbá: possibly Èkìtì; Nigeria

Mother-and-Child Caryatid Vessel (Àgéré Ifá)

Mid-to late 19th century

Wood and pigment

31.7 × 15.7 × 15.9 cm (12½ × 6 3/16 × 6¼ in.)

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund, 1994.2

Provenance: Purchased in Togo by Charles Davis, c. 1979–82; Charles Davis, New Orleans, c. 1979–82 to 1994; Davis Gallery, New Orleans, 1994.

91

Yòrùbà: Ketu; Benin

Tapper (Ìróké Ifá)

Mid-20th century

Wood, pigment, glass beads, and fiber

H. 42.6 cm (16¾ in.)

The Art Institute of Chicago, gift of Richard Faletti, the Faletti Family Collection, 2000.317

Provenance: William Wright Gallery, New York, Feb. 19, 1985; Richard J. Faletti and Barbara Faletti, Chicago, and Phoenix, AZ, 1985 to 2000.

92

Yòrùbá; Nigeria

Divination Tray (Opón Ifá)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment Diam. 44.1 cm (17¾ in.)

Museum Rietberg, Zurich, gift of Novartis, 2005.1

Provenance: Ernest Ohly, London, by 1961; Peter and Veena Schnell, Zurich, 1961 to 2004; Sotheby’s, Paris, Dec. 3, 2004, lot 124; Novartis, Basel, 2004–5.

4.4 Balance

93

Fang: Ngumba; Cameroon

Reliquary Guardian Figure (Eyema Byeri)

19th century

Wood, pigment, brass, and teeth

H. 72 cm (28⅜ in.)

The Kronos Collections

Provenance: Private collection, France; Serge Le Guennan, Paris; Pierre Amrouche, Paris; Lance and Roberta Entwistle, London and Paris.

94

Fang: Ngumba; Cameroon

Female Reliquary Guardian Figure (Eyema Byeri)

19th century

Wood, brass, mirror, and pigment

H. 50 cm (19 11/16 in.)

ABG Collection, Paris

Provenance: Acquired in Cameroon by Léon Truitard, c. 1940; Guy Loudmer, Paris, July 2, 1987, lot 247; Galerie Bernard Dulon, Paris, 2006.

95

Fang: Ngumba; Cameroon

Female Reliquary Guardian Figure (Eyema Byeri)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and copper

H. 54.6 cm (21½ in.)

Private collection, New York

Provenance: Jack Naiman, Los Angeles, to 1988.

96

Fang: Mabea; Cameroon or Equatorial Guinea

Male Reliquary Guardian Figure (Eyema Byeri)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, copper, brass, teeth, glass, and pigment

H. 41.3 cm (16¼ in.)

The Kronos Collections

Provenance: Philippe Guimiot, Brussels, by 1973; Daniel and Marian Malcolm, Tenafly, NJ.

97

Fang: Mabea; Cameroon

Male Reliquary Guardian Figure (Eyema Byeri)

19th century

Wood and pigment

H. 58.7 cm (23 in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Schweizer Premodern, New York

Provenance: Probably acquired in Africa by Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza or another member of the “Mission de l’Ouest Africain” (or “Mission de Brazza”), 1885–1900; Maurice Ratton, Paris; private collection, Paris, 1950s; Galerie Bernard Dulon, Paris; Philippe Guimiot, Brussels; Eric and Claudine Swenden, Brussels.

98

Fang: Betsi-Nzaman; Gabon

Male Reliquary Guardian Figure (Eyema Byeri)

19th century

Wood, metal, and pigment

H. 50.8 cm (20 in.)

Private collection, New York Provenance: Frank Crowninshield, New York, by 1937; H. F. Sachs Gallery, New York, by 1940; Russell B. Aitken, New York, 1957 to 2002; Christie’s, New York, Apr. 3, 2003, lot 69; Pace Primitive Gallery, New York.

99

Fang: Betsi-Nzaman; Gabon

Male Reliquary Guardian Figure (Eyema Byeri)

19th century

Wood and pigment

H. 43.5 cm (17 in.)

Weill Collection, Paris

Provenance: Reportedly private collection, Paris, 1930s; probably Charles Ratton, Paris, and Pierre Matisse, New York; Edward G. Robinson, Los Angeles; Sotheby’s, London, July 10, 1973, lot 186; James Kirkman, London; Patricia Withofs, London; Oliver and Pamela Cobb, Seattle, 1975 to 2012; Sotheby’s, Paris, June 12, 2012, lot 13.

100

Fang: Mvaï; Gabon

Male Reliquary Guardian Figure (Eyema Byeri)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and beads

54 × 13.3 × 14.6 cm (21¼ × 5¼ × 5¾ in.)

Dallas Museum of Art, The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., 2000.3.McD

Provenance: Marc and Denyse Ginzberg, New York, by 1978.

5 Meanings of Beauty

5.1 Beauty and Goodness in One

101

Lega; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Figure

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 30.5 cm (12 in.)

Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, de Young, museum purchase, gift of Mrs. Paul L. Wattis and the Fine Arts Museums Acquisition Fund, 1986.16.5

Provenance: Acquired in the Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) by Guillaume Stevens, 1947 to 1955; Henri Kamer, Paris, by 1961; Herbert Baker, Chicago, 1961 to 1986.

Art Institute of Chicago only

102

Lega; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Figure (possibly Kakulu)

Early 20th century

Wood, pigment, shells, and resin or wax

29.2 × 9.5 × 12.1 cm (11⅜ × 3¾ × 4¾ in.)

Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University, Raymond and Laura Wielgus Collection, Bloomington, 2010.31

Provenance: Julius Carlebach, New York; Raymond and Laura Wielgus, Tucson, 1960 to 2010.

103

Lega; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mask (Idimu or Muminia)

20th century

Wood, pigment, and fiber

H. 20 cm (7⅞ in.)

Private collection, Belgium Provenance: Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels; Marceau Rivière, Paris, c. 1989 to 2018; Sotheby’s, Paris, June 18, 2018, lot 43.

104

Lega; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Face Mask (Idimu)

Late 19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and fiber

64.8 × 30.5 × 7.7 cm (25½ × 12 × 3 in.)

The Art Institute of Chicago, gift of Grace Hokin, 1991.387

Provenance: Edwin Hokin and Grace E. Hokin, Chicago, by 1963; by descent to Grace Hokin (born Grace Cohen), Chicago, 1990 to 1991.

105

Lega; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Face Mask (Idimu)

19th century

Wood and pigment

27.3 × 17.8 × 10.2 cm (10¾ × 7 × 4 in.)

Private collection, Detroit

Provenance: Reportedly Alexandre Safianikoff, Democratic Republic of the Congo, c. 1968; Jean-Pierre Lepage (Galerie Alpha), Brussels; Walter Randel, New York; Jack Naiman, Los Angeles; Pace Primitive, New York.

106

Lega; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Figure (Iginga)

19th century

Elephant ivory, cowrie and other shells, and resin

26 × 9 cm (10¼ × 3½ in.)

Private collection, Brussels

Provenance: Possibly Joseph Brummer, Paris; Adolphe Stoclet, Brussels, c. 1918 to 1949; Lucienne Féron-Stoclet, 1949 to 1963; Denis Féron; Guy Porré and Nathalie Chaboche, France.

107

Lega, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Head

Early to mid-20th century

Elephant ivory and cowrie shells H. 15 cm (5 15/16 in.)

Private collection, Brussels

Provenance: Acquired in Kama village, Democratic Republic of the Congo, by Pierre Dartevelle, 1969.

108

Lega; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Female Figure (Iginga)

Probably 19th century

Elephant ivory

H. 17.3 cm (6 13/16 in.)

The Cleveland Museum of Art, purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund, 2005.3

Provenance: Charles Ratton, Paris, by 1967; Guy Ladrière, Paris; Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels, c. 1983; Vranken-Hoet Collection, Brussels, c. 1983 to 2005.

109

Lega; Democratic Republic of Congo

Necklace

20th century

Elephant ivory, leopard teeth, glass beads, and fiber

Diam. 24 cm (9 7/16 in.)

Private collection, Belgium

Provenance: Jean Willy Mestach, Brussels; Didier Claes, Brussels.

110

Lega; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Man’s Hat (Sawamazembe)

Early to mid-20th century

Fiber, shells, seed pods, buttons, and cloth (probably cotton)

39.7 × 23 × 22.5 cm (15⅝ × 9 1/16 × 8⅞ in.)

The Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund, 1995.211

Provenance: Jacques Hautelet, La Jolla, CA, to 1995.

111

Lega; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Man’s Hat (Mukuba or Nkumbu za Nsembe)

Early to mid-20th century

Fiber, elephant rawhide and hair, cowrie shells, glass beads, and cord

H. 55.9 cm (22 in.)

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Norman O. Stone and Ella A. Stone Memorial Fund, 2005.56

Provenance: Jacques Hautelet, La Jolla, CA, by 1992 to 2005.

5.2 The Virtue of Personal Adornment

112

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Heddle Pulley

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment H. 19 cm (7½ in.)

Collection of Nicole and John Dintenfass, New York

Provenance: Harold Rome, New York; Ben Heller, New York.

113

Attributed to the Bouaflé Master Guro; Côte d’Ivoire

Heddle Pulley

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 21 cm (8¼ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, 1008-10

Provenance: Félix Fénéon, Paris, by 1944; Stephen Chauvet, Paris; Maurice Ratton, Paris; Morris J. Pinto, New York.

114

Possibly Senufo or Djimini; Côte d’Ivoire

Heddle Pulley

20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 26 cm (10¼ in.)

Collection of Nicole and John Dintenfass, New York

Provenance: Ben Heller, New York.

115

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Necklace 20th century Gold

H. 40.5 cm (15 15/16 in.)

Ghysels Collection, Belgium

Provenance: Timothy F. Garrard, United Kingdom.

116

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Pendant

20th century Gold

H. 9.4 cm (3 11/16 in.)

Ghysels Collection, Belgium

Provenance: Reportedly acquired in Kumbi Saleh, Mauritania; David Serra, Barcelona.

117

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Pendant

Gold

20th century

Diam. 7.3 cm (2⅞ in.)

Ghysels Collection, Belgium

Provenance: Reportedly acquired in Kumbi Saleh, Mauritania; David Serra, Barcelona.

118

Akan; Ghana

Bracelet

20th century

Gold

11 × 12 cm (4 15/16 × 4¾ in.)

Ghysels Collection, Belgium

Provenance: Alain Dufour, Paris.

119

Asante; Ghana

Scorpion Ring

Early to mid-20th century

Gold

8.9 × 5.1 × 6.4 cm (3½ × 2 × 2½ in.)

Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Society Purchase, Eleanor Clay Ford Fund for African Art, 78.15

Provenance: Karl Merz, Zurich; Karl-Heinz Krieg, Neuenkirchen, Germany, by 1978.

120

Gan; Burkina Faso

Bracelet

Possibly 18th century

Bronze

L. 17.5 cm (6⅞ in.)

Itzikovitz Collection, Paris

121

Nuna; Burkina Faso

Anklet

20th century

Bronze

L. 17.5 cm (6⅞ in.)

Itzikovitz Collection, Paris

122

Nuna; Burkina Faso

Pendant

20th century

Bronze

W. 8.5 cm (3⅜ in.)

Itzikovitz Collection, Paris

123

Igbo; Nigeria

Pair of Anklets

20th century

Brass

Diam. 21.5 cm (8½ in.)

Ghysels Collection, Belgium

Provenance: Susan Montiel, London.

124

Chamba; Nigeria

Bracelet

20th century

Bronze

H. 16.5 cm (6½ in.)

Ghysels Collection, Belgium

Provenance: Yasmina Chenoufi, Galerie Noir d’Ivoire, Paris.

125

Soninke; possibly Senegal or Mali

Robe (Boubou Lomasa)

19th century

Handspun cotton, indigo dye; polychrome silk and cotton; strip weave, hand embroidery

124.5 × 194.3 cm (49 × 76½ in.)

The Art Institute of Chicago, Arts of Africa and the Americas Curatorial Discretionary and Vedder Price Kaufmann & Kammholtz Endowment funds, 2019.717

Provenance: Cecil Hamilton Armitage, probably Gambia then England, 1894 to 1927; Maurice Stanley Cockin, London, before 1933; by descent to his daughter Celia Barclay (born Cockin), Waltham Abbey, Essex, England, 1961; by descent to her daughter, England; Duke’s Fine Arts Auctioneers, Dorchester, Dorset, England, March 6, 2018, lot 250; private collection, London, 2018; Andres Moraga, Berkeley, CA, 2018–19.

126

Yòrùbá; Nigeria

Man’s Robe

Early 20th century

Òsì-Ilorin (cloth) and northern or central Nigeria (needlework and assembly)

Cotton, strips of warp-resist dyed striped plain weave with supplementary brocading wefts; embroidered with silk in open chain stitches; faced with cotton, warp-faced stripe plain weave and plain weave

125.1 × 362.8 cm (49¼ × 103½ in.)

The Art Institute of Chicago, Maurice D. Galleher Endowment, 1997.59

Provenance: Private collection, London, before 1925; by descent to W. W. Arnold, to 1983; Christie’s, London, Mar. 21, 1983, lot 206; Spink Fine Art, London; Bud Holland, Chicago, by 1989; Jeffrey S. Hammer and Deborah Hammer (born and later Stokes), Chicago, by 1989; Russell L. Wade, Washington, DC, before 1990 to 1997.

127

Maasai; Kenya

Woman’s Necklace

20th century

Hide, leather, beads, shells, and metal

H. 50 cm (19 11/16 in.)

Ghysels Collection, Belgium

Provenance: Lempertz, Brussels.

128

Southern Nguni: possibly Xhosa; South Africa

Under-Apron (probably Inkciyo)

19th to early 20th century

Leather, glass beads, and sinew

H. 35.6 cm (14 in.)

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund, 2010.206

Provenance: Maurice Joy, London; Kevin Conru, Brussels, by 2006; Daniel and Dori Rootenberg, Jacaranda Tribal, New York, 2006 to 2010.

129

Fang; Gabon

Headdress

19th to early 20th century

Basketry, fiber, shells, and cloth

38.1 × 38.1 × 30.5 cm (15 × 15 × 12 in.)

Private collection, United States Provenance: Riverside Antiques, New York, 2001.

130

Bamum; Cameroon

Crest (Nkum Messi)

Possibly 19th century

Wood (Pycnanthus sp.), cloth, fiber, glass beads, and cowrie shells

22.8 × 21.6 × 66 cm (9 × 8½ × 26 in.)

Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, de Young, museum purchase, M. H. de Young Art Trust Fund, 71.15

Provenance: Reportedly deaccessioned from the Museum of Ethnology, Berlin; Ralph Nash, London; Alan Brandt, New York, by 1971.

Art Institute of Chicago only

131

Bamileke; Cameroon

Headdress

20th century

Feathers, fiber, and cotton

39.4 × 55.9 cm (15½ × 22 in.)

The Art Institute of Chicago, gift of Donald Young and Shirley Weese Young, 2015.308

Provenance: Njoya Ibrahim, Douala, Cameroon, by 2003; Douglas Dawson Gallery, Chicago, 2003; Donald Young and Shirley Weese Young, Chicago, 2003 to 2015.

132

Ekonda; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Hat (Botolo)

20th century

Fiber and copper alloy

49.5 × 24.1 cm (19½ × 9½ in.)

The Art Institute of Chicago, Arnold Crane Endowment, 1995.196

Provenance: Pierre Dartevelle, Galerie Impasse St. Jacques, Brussels, by 1994; Jacques Hautelet, La Jolla, CA, 1994–95.

133

Possibly Leele; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ceremonial Adze

19th century

Wood, pigment, and iron

H. 36.5 cm (14⅓ in.)

Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, de Young, gift of Richard Scheller, 2019.76.1

Provenance: Acquired in Central Africa by Émile Lejeune, probably 1906–12; Boris de Starosvietsky, Brussels; Sotheby’s, Paris, Dec. 12, 2012, lot 12; Philippe Ratton, Paris; Richard Scheller, Stanford, CA, 2012 to 2019.

Art Institute of Chicago only

134

Ovimbundu; Angola Prestige Staff 19th to early 20th century Wood, pigment, and brass H. 83.8 cm (33 in.)

Collection of Nicole and John Dintenfass, New York Provenance: Fernando de Moncada, Lisbon; Lavuun Quackelbeen, Brussels, by 1980.

135

Mbuun; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Prestige Staff

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and metal

86 × 8.6 × 6 cm (33⅞ × 3⅜ × 2⅜ in.)

Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, de Young, gift of the Erle Loran Family Collection, 2008.38.76

Provenance: Erle Loran, San Francisco, to 1999.

Art Institute of Chicago only

5.3 Nurturing Womanhood

136

Dogon; Mali

Mother-and-Child Figure

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

55.9 × 12.7 × 20.3 cm (22 × 5 × 8 in.)

The Menil Collection, Houston, × 873

Provenance: J. J. Klejman, New York; John and Dominique de Menil, Houston, 1968 to 1998.

137

Bamana; Mali

Helmet

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, glass beads, fiber, and metal

H. 51 cm (20 in.)

Peres Wolfrom Collection, Berlin and Milan

Provenance: Ernst Anspach, New York; Pace Gallery, New York; Daniel and Marian Malcolm, Tenafly, NJ, 1981 to 2016; Sotheby’s, New York, May 7, 2016, lot 9.

138

Probably a Kulebele workshop Senufo: Senambele; Côte d’Ivoire

Female Figure

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, cowrie shells, and fiber

H. 33 cm (13 in.)

Private collection, Belgium Provenance: Alain de Monbrison, Paris.

139

Probably a Kulebele workshop Senufo: Senambele; Côte d’Ivoire

Mother-and-Child Figure

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 63.6 cm (25 1/16 in.)

The Cleveland Museum of Art, James Albert and Mary Gardiner Ford Memorial Fund, 1961.198

Provenance: Mathias Komor, New York, by 1961.

140

Baga; Guinea

Shoulder Mask (D’mba)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, iron, and copper tacks

H. 140 cm (47¼ in.)

Dragonfly Collection, Garance Primat, Switzerland

Provenance: Private collection, United States, c. 1970; Bonhams, New York, Nov. 14, 2013, lot 152; private collection, Paris; Charles-Wesley Hourdé, Paris, by 2017.

141

Unidentified culture; Bondoukou region, Côte d’Ivoire

Female Figure

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

42.6 × 5.5 × 4.5 cm (16¾ × 2 3/16 × 1¾ in.)

National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, gift of Evelyn A. J. Hall and John A. Friede, 85-8-5

Provenance: Henri Kamer, Paris, by 1968; Evelyn A. J. Hall and John A. Friede, New York, 1968 to 1994.

142

Toma; Liberia or Guinea

Female Figure

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, cloth, fiber, and beads

H. 40 cm (15¾ in.)

Private collection, New York

Provenance: Pierre Dartevelle, L’Impasse St. Jacques, Brussels, by 1975.

143

Urhobo; Nigeria Mother-and-Child Figure (Oniemo)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

132 × 40 × 33 cm (52 × 15¾ × 13 in.)

Simonis Collection, Germany Provenance: Hélène Leloup (previously Hélène Kamer) and Philippe Leloup, Paris.

144

Yòrùbá; Nigeria

Mother-and-Child Figure (Ère Ojúbo)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 61.5 cm (24¼ in.)

Private collection, Belgium

Provenance: Philippe and Laurent Dodier, France, to 2012; Didier Claes, Brussels.

145

Afo; Nigeria

Mother-and-Child Figure

19th century Wood and pigment

72.4 × 27.3 × 33 cm (28½ × 10¾ × 13 in.)

Collection of Richard H. Scheller, Stanford, CA

Provenance: Private collection, Brussels, mid-1970s; Claus D. Schmidt-Luprian, Munich, Germany, before 1998 to 2014; Sotheby’s, New York, 2014 (private sale).

Art Institute of Chicago only

146

Attributed to the Kasadi Master Kongo: Yombe; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mother-and-Child Figure (Pfemba)

19th century

Wood, pigment, metal, and glass

27.5 cm × 11.4 × 11.7 cm (10¾ × 4½ × 4⅝ in.)

Private collection, New York

Provenance: Acquired in situ by Louis-Napoléon Chaltin, before 1898; Chaltin family, by descent, 1898 to 1973; Jean-Pierre Leemans, Brussels; Jean Willy Mestach, Brussels, 1973 to 1974; Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels; Baudouin de Grunne, Brussels, 1974 to 1998.

147

Kongo: Yombe; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mother-and-Child Figure (Pfemba)

19th century

Wood and pigment H. 26 cm (10¼ in.)

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund, 2003.35

Provenance: Reportedly acquired in the Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) by Isidore Mesmaekers, before 1940 (probably 1920s); Jean-Pierre Lepage, Brussels, by 1984; Vranken-Hoet Collection, Brussels, 1984 to 2003.

148

Luluwa: Bakwa Mushilu; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mother-and-Child Figure (Bwanga bwa Cibola)

19th century

Wood, pigment, and copper alloy

35.6 × 8.6 × 8.9 cm (14 × 3⅜ × 3½ in.)

Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.124

Provenance: Reportedly acquired in Central Africa by Ferdinand Harroy, 1894; Raoul Blondiau, Belgium, by 1927 to 1950.

149

Mbala; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mother-and-Child Figure (Gihalu Giwenyi)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 43 cm (16 15/16 in.)

Collection of Richard H. Scheller, Stanford, CA

Provenance: C. P. Meulendijk, Rotterdam, Netherlands, by 1963; Wally and Udo Horstmann, Zug, Switzerland.

Art Institute of Chicago only

150

Bidyogo; Bissagos Islands, Guinea-Bissau

Child Figure (Eiamba)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, metal, and pigment H. 70 cm (27 9/16 in.)

Collection of Bernard de Grunne, Belgium

Provenance: Acquired in Anguri village, Soga Island, GuineaBissau, by Eugen Hintz, 1926; Mrs. Eugen Hintz, 1932 to 1939; Julius Reimer, Wittenberg, Germany, 1939 to 1992; Loed van Bussel, Amsterdam, 1992; Wally and Udo Horstmann, Zug, Switzerland, 1992 to 2020.

151

Mossi; Burkina Faso

Child Figure (Biiga)

20th century

Wood, pigment, beads, and leather

H. 38.1 cm (15 in.)

Collection of Paula and Herbert R. Molner, Chicago Provenance: Alan Brandt, New York, 1975.

152

Southern Sotho; South Africa or Lesotho

Child Figure (Ngwana 'A Modula)

19th century

Glass beads and sinew

23 × 18 cm (9 × 7 in.)

Private collection, Brussels; courtesy of Jacaranda, New York

Provenance: David Lewin, London; Conru Collection, Brussels.

5.4 Forceful Manhood

153

Urhobo; Nigeria

Male Figure (Iphri)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 108 cm (42½ in.)

Simonis Collection, Germany

Provenance: Acquired in West Africa by Pierre Harter, 1960s.

154

Southern Isoko; Nigeria

Male Figure (Ivri)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

70 × 14.5 × 17 cm (27 9/16 × 5 11/16 × 6 11/16 in.)

National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, gift of Walt Disney World Co., a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, 2005-6-82

Provenance: Pace Primitive and Ancient Art, New York, by 1975; Paul and Ruth Tishman, New York, to 1984; The Walt Disney Company, Burbank, CA, 1984 to 2005.

155

Ijo; Nigeria

Seven-Headed Figure

20th century

Wood, pigment, and glass

172.7 × 35.6 × 45.7 cm (68½ × 14½ × 18 in.)

Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, de Young, museum purchase, gift of Phyllis C. Wattis and the Phyllis C. Wattis Fund for Major Accessions, 2004.93

Provenance: Acquired in Cameroon by Barry Kitnick, 1972; Barry Kitnick, Santa Barbara, CA, 1972 to 2004; Gallery K, Los Angeles, by 2004.

Art Institute of Chicago only

156

Chokwe; Angola

Male Figure (Identified as Chibinda Ilunga)

19th century

Wood, pigment, and fiber

40.6 × 15.2 × 15.2 cm (16 × 6 × 6 in.)

Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, TX, purchase by the Kimbell Art Foundation, 1978, AP 1978.05

Provenance: Fred Abecassis (probably acquired in Angola), before 1900; private collection, 1940 to 1978; Christie’s, London, June 13, 1978, lot 254; Walter Randel, New York, 1978.

157

Hemba: Niembo; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Male Figure (Singiti)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

84.1 × 26 × 23.2 cm (33⅛ × 10¼ × 9⅛ in.)

Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, TX, purchase by the Kimbell Art Foundation, 1979, AP 1979.03

Provenance: Frank D. Lambrecht, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Belgium; Armando Scamperle, Rome and Paris; Jacques Kerchache, Paris, to the mid-1970s; Ben Heller, New York, by 1975 to 1979.

158

Unidentified culture; Middle Niger region, Mali

Equestrian Figure

12th to 14th century

Terracotta

68 × 45.7 × 17.8 cm (26¾ × 18 × 7 in.)

Private collection, New York

Provenance: Possibly Bubu Chara, Mopti, Mali; possibly Samir Borro, Abidjan and Brussels; Émile Deletaille, Brussels, 1973 to 1978; Leon and Fern Wallace, Los Angeles; Donald Morris Gallery, New York and Michigan.

159

Probably a Kulebele workshop Senufo: Senambele; Côte d’Ivoire

Equestrian Figure

Early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and iron

H. 29 cm (11⅛ in.)

Weill Collection, Paris

Provenance: Paul Wirz, Basel, Switzerland; Suzanne Greub, Tribal Art Centre, Basel, Switzerland, by 1984; Sotheby’s, Paris, June 16, 2010, lot 39.

6 Functions of Beauty

6.1 Enticing the Spirits

160

Northern Dan; Côte d’Ivoire or Liberia

Face Mask (Sagbwe, Zakpäi Gä, or Gunyegä)

20th century

Wood, pigment, horn, and fiber

H. 36 cm (14⅛ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, 1003-14

161

Southern Dan; Liberia

Face Mask (Bugle)

Early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 23 cm (9 1/16 in.)

Museum Rietberg, Zurich, longterm loan from Barbara and Eberhard Fischer, EFA 19

Provenance: Acquired in Liberia by Hans and Ulrike Himmelheber, 1949–50.

162

Carved by Uwe of Gmanyouwé (died 1939) Southern Dan: Koulimè; Liberia

Face Mask (Luwusegle)

20th century

Wood and pigment

24.5 × 16 × 10.8 cm (9⅝ × 6 5/16 × 4¼ in.)

MAS | Museum aan de Stroom, Antwerp, AE.1955.0030.0018

Provenance: Acquired in Binhouyé village, Côte d’Ivoire, by Pieter Jan Vandenhoute, 1939 (Côte d’Ivoire Expedition, 1938–39).

163

Northern Dan; Côte d’Ivoire or Liberia

Face Mask (Takeagle, Tankagle, or Tankë Ge)

20th century

Wood, pigment, fiber, and metal

H. 44 cm (17 5/16 in.)

Private collection, Brussels Provenance: Merton D. Simpson, New York.

164

Dan; Côte d’Ivoire or Liberia

Face Mask (possibly Deangle)

20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 25 cm (10 in.)

Private collection, Belgium

Provenance: Hubert Goldet, Paris; Lucien Van de Velde and Mariette Henau, Antwerp, to 1975.

165

Northern Dan; probably Liberia

Face Mask with Bird’s Beak (Gägon)

20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 28.5 cm (11¼ in.)

Private collection, Canada

Provenance: Maurice Nicaud, Paris; private collection, France; Galerie Jacques Germain, Montreal.

Art Institute of Chicago only

166

Northern Dan; probably Liberia

Face Mask with Bird’s Beak (Gägon)

20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 26.5 cm (10⅜ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Schweizer Premodern, New York

Provenance: Charles Ratton, Paris; Carlo Monzino, Castagnola, Switzerland; private collection; Sotheby’s, London, June 17, 1991, lot 104; Edwin and Cherie Silver, Los Angeles, 1991 to 2017; Sotheby’s, New York, Nov. 13, 2017, lot 6.

167

Attributed to Si of Nyor Diaple (c. 1900–1980)

Northern Dan; Liberia

Ceremonial Spoon (Wakemia or Wunkirmian)

20th century

Wood, pigment, fiber, and metal

H. 62 cm (24⅜ in.)

Private collection, New York

Provenance: André Fourquet, Paris; Patrick Prévost, Paris; Hubert Goldet, Paris, 1980 to 2001; François de Ricqlès, Paris, June 30, 2001, lot 230.

168

Dan; Liberia

Female Figure (Lü Mè)

20th century

Mounted on a base designed by Kichizô Inagaki (Japanese, 1876–1951), Paris

Wood, pigment, beads, and fiber

H. 52.7 cm (20¾ in.)

Dragonfly Collection, Garance Primat, Switzerland

Provenance: Josef Mueller, Solothurn, Switzerland, by 1939; Monique and Jean-Paul Barbier, Geneva; Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva; Lance and Roberta Entwistle, London and Paris; Myron Kunin, Minneapolis, 1995 to 2014; Sotheby’s, New York, Nov. 11, 2014, lot 18; private collection, United States; Charles-Wesley Hourdé, Paris.

6.2 Appeasing the Spirits

169

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Male Figure

19th century

Wood and pigment

H. 31.8 cm (12½ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Schweizer Premodern, New York

Provenance: Paul Chadourne, Garches, France, c. 1950 or earlier; J. J. Klejman, New York; probably Susan Bennet, Washington, DC; Sotheby’s, New York, Nov. 21, 1996, lot 88; Myron Kunin, Minneapolis; Kunin family, by descent.

170

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Male Figure

19th century

Wood, pigment, glass beads, fiber, and horn

H. 24 cm (9 7/16 in.)

Itzikovitz Collection, Paris

171

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Male Figure

19th century

Wood, pigment, glass beads, plant seeds, gold, and fiber

H. 50.2 cm (19¾ in.)

Malcolm Collection; courtesy of Schweizer Premodern, New York

Provenance: Gaston de Havenon, New York, to 1973; Lillian and Sidney Lichter, New York; Lichter family, by descent; Sotheby’s, New York, May 11, 2012, lot 105; Sotheby’s, New York (private sale arranged by Heinrich Schweizer), August 10, 2012.

172

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Female Figure

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, beads, and fiber

50.2 × 19 × 17.8 cm (19¾ × 7½ × 7 in.)

Collection of Lee Hudson and Joe Hudson, Houston

Provenance: Acquired in West Africa by Roger Bédiat, 1930s; Henri Kamer and Hélène Kamer (now Hélène Leloup), Paris, by 1958; Morris J. Pinto, Paris and New York; Jennifer Pinto-Safian, New York; Lance and Roberta Entwistle, London and Paris; Myron Kunin, Minneapolis, 1998 to 2014; Sotheby’s, New York, Nov. 11, 2014, lot 37.

173

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Male Figure

19th century

Wood, pigment, and fiber

H. 53 cm (20⅞ in.)

Collection of Joanna Teunen and Lucien Van de Velde, Antwerp

Provenance: Hélène Leloup (previously Hélène Kamer), Paris, 1980.

174

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Female Figure

19th century

Wood, pigment, glass beads, gold beads, fiber, and sacrificial materials

48.9 × 12.1 × 14.3 cm (19¼ × 4¾ × 5⅝ in.)

National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, museum purchase, 85-15-2

Provenance: Samir Borro, Côte d’Ivoire, 1974; Émile Deletaille, Brussels, 1974 to 1985.

175

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Male and Female Paired Figures

19th century

Wood, pigment, beads, and fiber

H. 39 cm (15⅓ in.) and 37.5 cm (14⅔ in.)

Private collection, New York

Provenance: Probably acquired in the village of Dahoukro in West Africa in the 1920s or earlier by a French anthropologist; possibly Paul Guillaume, Paris; Helena Rubinstein, New York and Paris, 1920s or 1930s to 1966; Parke-Bernet, New York, Apr. 21, 1966, lots 31 and 32; Oscar Kolin, 1966 to 1995; Pace Primitive and Ancient Art, New York, 1995–96; Myron Kunin, Minneapolis, 1996 to 2013; Heinrich Schweizer, New York.

176

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Female Face Mask (Kpan)

Late 19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 45.3 cm (18⅛ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, 1007-228

Provenance: A. Sécupar; Hubert Goldet, Paris, by 1979 to 2001; François de Ricqlès, Paris, June 30, 2001, lot 205.

177

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Female Face Mask (Ndoma)

Late 19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and copper alloy

28.6 × 18.1 × 12.7 cm (11¼ × 7⅛ × 5 in.)

The Art Institute of Chicago, Ada Turnbull Hertle Endowment, 1988.309

Provenance: Paul Bedia, Abidjan; Henri Kamer, Paris, by 1958; Philippe and Hélène Leloup (previously Hélène Kamer), African Primitive Art, New York, by 1988.

178

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Twin Face Mask (Mblo)

Late 19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and fiber

H. 29.2 cm (11½ in.)

Private collection, United States

Provenance: Sotheby’s, London, June 17, 1991, lot 108; Hélène Leloup (previously Hélène Kamer) and Philippe Leloup, Paris, 1991 to 1996; Arman, New York, 1996 to 1997; Donald Morris Gallery, New York and Michigan.

179

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Female Face Mask (Ndoma)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and copper

H. 31.1 cm (12¼ in.)

The Kronos Collections

Provenance: Possibly Charles Ratton, Paris; Edward G. Robinson, Los Angeles.

180

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Divination Vessel (Gbekre)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, terracotta, leather, beads, metal, and fiber

H. 26 cm (10¼ in.)

Private collection, Paris

Provenance: Acquired in Côte d’Ivoire by Hans Himmelheber, c. 1933; Charles Ratton, Paris; Alain de Monbrison, Paris; Daniel Hourdé, Paris; Marceau Rivière, Paris, c. 1985 to 2019; Sotheby’s, Paris, June 18, 2019, lot 13.

181

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Divination Gong Beater (Lawle or Lowre)

Wood, pigment, and brass tacks

H. 27 cm (10⅝ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, 1007-219

Provenance: Helena Rubinstein, New York and Paris, to 1966; Parke-Bernet, New York, Apr. 21, 1966, lot 30; Harry A. Franklin, Los Angeles, 1966 to 1990; Sotheby’s, New York, Apr. 21, 1990, lot 109.

182

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Door

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and metal

H. 129 cm (50¾ in.)

Private collection, United States

Provenance: Société des Missions Africaines, Lyon, France, c. 1925 to 1980; Patrick Girard, Lyon, 1980 to probably 1984; Max Itzikovitz, Paris, probably 1984 to 2018; Sotheby’s, Paris, Dec. 12, 2018, lot 176.

6.3 Honoring the Spirits

183

Luba; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Bowl-Bearing Figure (Nkishi)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, glass beads, and metal

H. 44 cm (17⅓ in.)

Private collection, Detroit

Provenance: Henri Kamer, New York, by 1974; Philippe and Hélène Leloup (previously Hélène Kamer), Paris, 1982; Lance and Roberta Entwistle, London, 1984; Donald Morris Gallery, Birmingham, MI, 1984.

184

Luba; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Bowstand (Lupanda or Luhanda)

19th century

Wood, pigment, and iron

59.5 × 25.5 × 5 cm (23 7/16 × 10 1/16 × 2 in.)

MAS | Museum aan de Stroom, Antwerp, purchase, 1920, AE.0772

Provenance: Henri Pareyn, Antwerp, by 1920.

185

Luba; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ceremonial Axe (Kibiki or Kasolwa)

19th century

Wood, pigment, copper, and iron

H. 36.5 cm (14⅜ in.)

Museum Rietberg, Zurich, gift of Eduard von der Heydt, RAC 114

Provenance: Eduard von der Heydt, Ascona, Switzerland (probably purchased from an art dealer in Paris), by 1932.

186

Luba; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ceremonial Spear

19th century

Wood, pigment, iron, and copper

148.6 × 6.4 × 8.9 cm (58½ × 2½ × 3½ in.)

Collection of Richard H. Scheller, Stanford, CA

Provenance: Thomas Alexander III, Saint Louis; Jean Willy Mestach, Brussels; Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels; Philippe Guimiot, Brussels, by 1979; Claude-Henri Pirat, Brussels; Michel Périnet, Paris.

Art Institute of Chicago only

187

Luba; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Staff of Office (Kibango)

19th century

Wood, pigment, copper, iron, and cord

H. 141.6 cm (55¾ in.)

Private collection, United States Provenance: Possibly Albert de Bailliencourt, France; Laurin-Guilloux-Buffetaud-Tailleur, Paris, May 5, 1977, lot 36; Alain de Monbrison, Paris; Murray Frum, Toronto, 1977 to 2015; Sotheby’s, Paris, Dec. 2, 2015, lot 23.

188

Luba; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Female Figure (Nkishi)

19th century

Wood, pigment, beads, fiber, and hair (probably elephant)

H. 31.5 cm (12½ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Schweizer Premodern, New York

Provenance: Henri Lambert (died 1933), Brussels, by 1930; Lambert family, by descent, to 1988; Sotheby’s, New York, May 10, 1988, lot 81; Daniel and Marian Malcolm, Tenafly, NJ (with the assistance of Hélène Leloup [previously Hélène Kamer] and Philippe Leloup, Paris and New York); Sotheby’s, New York, May 7, 2016, lot 4; Schweizer Premodern, New York.

189

Luba; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Female Figure (Nkishi)

19th century

Wood, pigment, metal, and fiber

26 × 5.1 × 4.8 cm (10¼ × 2 × 1⅞ in.)

Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, de Young, gift of Richard Scheller, 2019.1

Provenance: Gunther Bloch, London, to 2004; Christie’s, Paris, Dec. 8, 2004, lot 222; Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels; Richard Scheller, Stanford, CA, by 2008 to 2019.

Art Institute of Chicago only

190

Luba; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Female Figure (Nkishi)

19th century

Wood, pigment, cloth, metal, and beads

H. 43.2 cm (17 in.)

Private collection, United States

Provenance: Possibly Vittorio Mangio, Monza, Italy; Pace Primitive, New York, 1974; Aaron and Joyce Furman, New York; Ben Birillo, New York; Philip Sanfield, Farmington Hills, MI; Donald Morris Gallery, Michigan; Morris J. Pinto, New York; Donald Morris Gallery, New York; Margaret Demant, Huntington Woods, MI.

191

Luba: Shyankadi; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Caryatid Headrest

19th century

Wood, pigment, beads, and fiber

H. 16 cm (6 5/16 in.)

Horstmann Collection, Zug, Switzerland

Provenance: Private collection, United States, by 1964.

192

Luba; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Caryatid Stool (Lupona)

19th to early 20th century Wood, pigment, and beads

H. 53 cm (20⅞ in.)

Private collection, Brussels

Provenance: Acquired in Kiambi village, Democratic Republic of the Congo, by Pierre Dartevelle, early 1970s.

193

Hemba: Niembo; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Male Figure (Singiti)

19th century

Wood and pigment

H. 68 cm (26¾ in.)

Private collection, New York

Provenance: René Withofs, Brussels, by 1974 or 1977.

194

Hemba; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Male Figure (Singiti)

19th century

Wood, pigment, and fiber

74 × 24 cm (29⅛ × 9½ in.)

Private collection, Brussels

Provenance: Acquired in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) by Pierre-Pol Gossiaux, by 1975.

6.4
Gracing the Body and the Head

195

Unidentified culture; Middle Niger region, Mali

Male Figure

12th to 14th century

Terracotta

48.5 × 33 × 33 cm (19⅛ × 13 × 13 in.)

Private collection, Belgium

Provenance: Merton D. Simpson, New York; Rudolf and Leonore Blum, Zurich, from Oct. 1986; Galerie Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, Paris, 2016.

196

Ligbi; Côte d’Ivoire

Face Mask

20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 35.6 cm (14 in.)

Private collection, New York

Provenance: Mamadou Baba Keita, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, 1970; Lucien Van de Velde, Antwerp, 1970 to 1997.

197

Guro; Côte d’Ivoire

Female Figure

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and beads

51.8 × 19.4 × 13.7 cm (20⅜ × 7⅝ × 5⅜ in.)

Detroit Institute of Arts, Bequest of Robert H. Tannahill, 70.95

Provenance: Frank Crowninshield, New York; Parke-Bernet, New York, Oct. 21, 1943, lot 130; Kleinman Collection, Paris; Tristan Tzara, Paris; Robert H. Tannahill, Grosse Pointe, MI, to 1970.

198

Yòrùbá; Ifè, Nigeria

Head (possibly a King)

12th to 15th century

Terracotta with traces of pigment and mica

26.7 × 14.5 × 18.7 cm (10½ × 5 11/16 × 7⅜ in.)

Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, TX, purchase by the Kimbell Art Foundation, 1994, AP 1994.04

Provenance: Private collection, Switzerland; Lance and Roberta Entwistle, London and Paris, 1994.

Kimbell Art Museum only

199

Attributed to Soompa (active 1920s–40s) Chamba; Nigeria

Double Figure

1920s–40s

Wood and pigment

H. 48 cm (18 5/16 in.)

Private collection, Belgium

Provenance: Jean Willy Mestach, Brussels; Didier Claes, Brussels.

200

Mumuye; Nigeria Figure

20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 64 cm (25 in.)

Private collection, United States

Provenance: Possibly Freddy Rolin, Brussels and New York; Mathias Komor, New York; Daniel and Marian Malcolm, Tenafly, NJ, 1971 to 2016; Sotheby’s, Paris, June 22, 2016, lot 8.

201

Urhobo; Nigeria

Face Mask

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 57 cm (22½ in.)

Collection of Joanna Teunen and Lucien Van de Velde, Antwerp

Provenance: Alain Dufour, Paris, 1994.

202

Idoma; Nigeria

Face Mask

20th century

Wood, pigment, fiber, and cloth

H. 29 cm (11 7/16 in.)

Private collection, Brussels

Provenance: Jacques Kerchache, Paris; Mina and Samir Borro, Brussels.

203

Attributed to Etim Abassi Ekpenyong Efut; Lower Cross River region, Nigeria

Crest Mask

20th century

Wood, antelope hide, and metal

H. 55.9 cm (22 in.)

Collection of Toby and Barry Hecht, Bethesda, MD

Provenance: Merton D. Simpson, New York.

204

Punu; Gabon

Face Mask (Mukudj or Okuyi)

20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 32 cm (12½ in.)

Private collection, Canada

Provenance: Private collection, France; Hôtel Drouot, Paris, Nov. 9, 1992, lot 37; Philippe Guimiot, Brussels; C. Forget, Geneva; private collection, California; Christie’s, Paris, June 19, 2014, lot 190; Galerie Jacques Germain, Montreal.

Art Institute of Chicago only

205

Ngbaka; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Face Mask

20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 40 cm (15¾ in.)

Collection of Jan Calmeyn, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium

Provenance: Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels.

206

Ngbandi; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Male Figure

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, beads, and metal

H. 54 cm (20⅞ in.)

Collection of Jan Calmeyn, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium

Provenance: John D. Graham, New York, by 1930; Frank W. Crowninshield, New York; Max Granick, New York; Sotheby’s, New York, Nov. 15, 1988, lot 97; private collection; Bernard de Grunne, Brussels.

207

Probably Ngbaka or Ngbandi; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Male Figure

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 88 cm (34⅝ in.)

Private collection, Belgium

Provenance: Guillaume De Hondt, Brussels, by 1936; Jean H. W. Verschure, Heer-sur-Meuse, Belgium, 1940(?) to 1977; private collection.

208

Mangbetu; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Male and Female Paired Figures

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. male: 61 cm (24 in.); female: 61.6 cm (24¼ in.)

Private collection, New York

Provenance: Mr. Nèves de Mervegnies, before 1920; Émile Deletaille, Brussels; Baudouin de Grunne, Brussels, Jan. 1970; William and Ann Ziff, New York.

209

Luba; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Female Figure (Nkishi)

19th century

Wood and pigment

H. 36 cm (14 3/16 in.)

Private collection, Belgium

Provenance: Friedrich Wield, by 1928; Boris Kegel-Konietzko, Hamburg, Germany; Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels.

210

Luba; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Female Figure (Nkishi)

19th century

Wood, pigment, iron, beads, and antelope horn

H. 39.4 cm (15½ in.)

Horstmann Collection, Zug, Switzerland

211

Hemba or Hombo; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Male Figure (probably Singiti)

19th century

Wood and pigment

H. 43 cm (16 15/16 in.)

Collection of Jan Calmeyn, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium

Provenance: Baudouin de Grunne, Brussels; Max Itzikovitz, Paris; Galerie Bernard Dulon, Paris.

212

Luluwa; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Male Figure (Bwanga bwa Bwimpe)

19th century

Wood and pigment

H. 39.5 cm (15 9/16 in.)

Collection of Jan Calmeyn, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium

Provenance: Acquired in Central Africa by Hans Himmelheber, 1938–39; Gustave and Franyo Schindler, New York; William and Ann Ziff, New York; Galerie Bernard Dulon, Paris.

213

Luluwa; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Female Figure (Bwanga bwa Bwimpe)

19th century

Wood and pigment

38.7 × 8.2 × 8.2 cm (15¼ × 3¼ × 3¼ in.)

Collection of Richard H. Scheller, Stanford, CA

Provenance: William Ockelford Oldman, London, by 1947; Pace Primitive, New York.

Art Institute of Chicago only

214

Luluwa; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Female Figure (Bwanga bwa Bwimpe)

19th century

Wood and pigment

43.2 × 7.2 × 8.3 cm (17 × 2⅞ × 3¼ in.)

Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University, Bloomington, Raymond and Laura Wielgus Collection, 75.91

Provenance: Acquired in Luluabourg (now Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo) by Henri Joseph Lassaux, 1894 to 1896; Edmond Perée, Brussels; Allan Frumkin Gallery, Chicago and New York; Raymond and Laura Wielgus, Chicago, 1960 to 1975.

215

Yaka; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Hairpin (Yisanuna)

19th century

Wood and pigment

22.9 × 3.4 × 2.8 cm (9 × 1 5/16 × 1⅛ in.)

MAS | Museum aan de Stroom, Antwerp, gift of Margriet Olbrechts-Maurissens, 1975, AE.1975.0031.0020

Provenance: Margriet Olbrechts-Maurissens, to 1975.

216

Yaka; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Haircomb

19th century

Wood and pigment

15.6 × 1.8 × 2.1 cm (6⅛ × 11/16 × 13/16 in.)

MAS | Museum aan de Stroom, Antwerp, gift of Margriet Olbrechts-Maurissens, 1976, AE.1976.0037.0013

Provenance: Margriet Olbrechts-Maurissens, to 1976.

217

Yaka; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Haircomb

19th century

Wood and pigment

16.9 × 3.2 × 1.8 cm (6⅝ × 1¼ × 11/16 in.)

MAS | Museum aan de Stroom, Antwerp, gift of Margriet Olbrechts-Maurissens, 1975, AE.1975.0031.0016

Provenance: Margriet Olbrechts-Maurissens, to 1975.

218

Chokwe; Angola or Democratic Republic of the Congo

Haircomb

19th century

Wood, pigment, glass beads, and fiber

13.3 × 8 × 1.4 cm (5¼ × 3⅛ × 9/16 in.)

The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Harold T. Clark Educational Extension Fund, 1915.453

Provenance: Probably acquired in Central Africa by F. M. Rapp, by 1915.

219

Eastern Pende; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Female Face Mask (Kambanda)

20th century

Wood, pigment, fiber, and metal

32 × 35 × 30 cm (12⅝ × 13¾ × 11 13/16 in.)

Museum Rietberg, Zurich, gift of Barbara and Eberhard Fischer, HH 21a

Provenance: Acquired in the Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) by Hans Himmelheber, 1938 or 1939; Hans Himmelheber, Heidelberg, Germany, 1939 to 2001; Barbara and Eberhard Fischer, Zurich, 2001 to 2013.

220

Attributed to Diteka (active early to mid-20th century)

Makonde; Mozambique

Helmet Mask (Lipiko)

20th century

Wood, pigment, and human hair

H. 26 cm (10¼ in.)

The Art Institute of Chicago, through prior bequest of Florene May Schoenborn, 2017.106

Provenance: Arman, New York, by 1984 to 2005; by descent to Corice Canton Arman, New York, 2005 to 2016; Galerie Jacques Germain, Montreal, 2016–17.

7 Intentional Ugliness

7.1 Objects of Terror and Fear

221

Bamana; Mali

Zoomorphic Figure (Boli)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and sacrificial materials

L. 63 cm (24¾ in.)

Collection of Laura and John Arnold, Houston

Provenance: Jean-Michel Huguenin, Galerie Majestic, Paris; Édouard and Lucette André, Paris; Galerie Renaud Vanuxem, Paris; Johann Levy, Paris; private collection; Sotheby’s, Paris, June 16, 2010, lot 47.

222

Bamana; Mali / Malinke; Guinea

Helmet Mask (Kɔmɔ Kun)

20th century

Wood, sacrificial materials, porcupine quills, and mirror

H. 74 cm (29⅛ in.)

Private collection, France

Provenance: Thierry Leproust, France; Galerie Abla and Alain Lecomte, Paris; Thierry Santos, France.

223

Senufo: Kulebele; Côte d’Ivoire or Mali

Figure (Kafigelejo)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, cloth, sacrificial materials, bamboo or cane, fiber, and feathers

62 × 19 × 12 cm (24⅜ × 7½ × 4¾ in.)

Collection of Laurence Girard, Lyon, France

Provenance: Jean-Michel Huguenin, Paris; Édouard and Lucette André, Paris, late 1970s or early 1980s to 2017; Patrick Girard, Lyon, 2017 to 2021.

224

Senufo: probably Tyedumbele; Côte d’Ivoire or Mali

Helmet Mask (possibly Kɔmɔ Kun)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, antelope horns, ivory, and cowrie shells

52 × 97 cm (20½ × 38⅐ in.)

Collection of Laura and John Arnold, Houston

Provenance: Antoine Ferrari de la Salle, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to 1975; Samir Borro, Abidjan and Brussels, 1975 to 2015; Sotheby’s, Paris, June 24, 2015, lot 41.

225

Baga or Nalu; Guinea or Guinea-Bissau

Helmet Mask (Banda)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 141 cm (55½ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, 1001-24

Provenance: André Lhote, France, by 1935 to 1962; Maître Ferri, Paris, Dec. 17, 1979, lot 212.

226

Toma; Liberia or Guinea

Mask (Angbai)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and brass bells

H. 54 cm (21¼ in.)

Private collection

Provenance: Acquired in Kuglema village, Liberia, by Mario Meneghini, 1971; Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels, to 2017; Christie’s, New York, May 19, 2017, lot 2.

227

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Helmet Mask (Bo nun Amuin)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

L. 49 cm (19¼ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, 1007-51

Provenance: Josef Mueller, Solothurn, Switzerland, by 1942.

228

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Helmet Mask (Bo nun Amuin)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

L. 84.5 cm (33¼ in.)

The Africa Center, New York, gift of Helen and Robert Kuhn, X2005.6

Provenance: Florence and Harold Rome, New York; Harry A. Franklin, Los Angeles; Valerie Franklin, Beverly Hills, CA; Sotheby’s, New York, April 21, 1990, lot 110; Helen and Robert Kuhn, Beverly Hills, CA.

229

Baule; Côte d’Ivoire

Monkey Figure

19th to early 20th century

Wood, sacrificial materials, and cloth

H. 63 cm (24 13/16 in.)

Private collection, New York

Provenance: Merton D. Simpson, New York; Donald Morris Gallery, Michigan and New York, by 1971.

230

Aghem; Cameroon

Helmet Crest Mask (Mambu)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 27 cm (10½ in.)

Malcolm Collection; courtesy of Schweizer Premodern, New York

Provenance: Peter and Monika Wengraf, The Arcade Gallery, London; Noble and Jean Endicott, New York, 1984 to 1990.

231

Bokyi; Cross River region, Nigeria

Crest Mask

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, metal, fiber, animal hide, and rattan

H. 22 cm (8½ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Schweizer Premodern, New York

Provenance: Mathias Komor, New York, 1976; Malcolm Collection, Tenafly, NJ; Schweizer Premodern, New York.

232

Bangwa; Cameroon

Helmet Crest Mask (Troh)

19th century

Wood and pigment

H. 46 cm (18 in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Galerie Alain Bovis, Paris

Provenance: Anne and Jacques Kerchache, Paris, by 1969; Galerie Alain Bovis, Paris.

233

Bangwa; Cameroon

Two-Faced Helmet Crest Mask (Troh)

19th century

Wood and pigment

H. 41.5 cm (16⅜ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, 1018-65

234

Fang; Gabon

Face Mask (Nkukh or Asu Ngi)

19th century Wood and pigment

H. 44 cm (17⅜ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, 1019-14

Provenance: Mrs. Charles Vignier, Paris, by 1939; Josef Mueller, Solothurn, Switzerland.

235

Suku; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mask (Kakuungu)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, fiber, and tortoiseshell

H. 82 cm (32 5/16 in.)

Private collection, Brussels

Provenance: Acquired in the Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) by the Jesuit Fathers of Popokabaka; André Cauvin, Brussels, by 1958.

236

Eastern Pende; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Face Mask (Ngolo)

Early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and fiber

67 × 29 × 36 cm (26⅜ × 11 1/12 × 14 3/16 in.)

Museum Rietberg, Zurich, gift of Barbara and Eberhard Fischer, HH 19

Provenance: Acquired in the Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) by Hans Himmelheber, 1938 or 1939; Hans Himmelheber, Heidelberg, Germany, 1939 to 2003; Barbara and Eberhard Fischer, Zurich, 2004 to 2013.

237

Central Pende; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Face Mask (Pumbu)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and fiber

41 × 31 × 41 cm (16⅛ × 12 3/16 × 16⅛ in.)

Peres Wolfrom Collection, Berlin and Milan

Provenance: J. V. De Raadt, Ghent, by 1937; Didier Claes, Brussels, by 2016.

238

Hemba; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Face Mask (Mwisi gwa So’o)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 23 cm (9 in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, 1025-7

239

Salampasu; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Face Mask (Kasangu)

Wood, pigment, fiber, and sacrificial materials

H. 31 cm (12 3/16 in.)

Private collection, Canada

Provenance: Collectie Instituut voor Culturele Antropologie van de Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen, Netherlands, by 1962; Loed van Bussel, Amsterdam; private collection, Germany; Galerie Jacques Germain, Montreal.

Art Institute of Chicago only

240

Songye; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Face Mask (Kifwebe)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

57 × 27.5 × 32 cm (22 7/16 × 10 13/16 × 12 9/16 in.)

Museum Rietberg, Zurich, gift of Eduard von der Heydt, RAC 302

Provenance: Eduard von der Heydt, Ascona, Switzerland, before 1938 to 1952.

241

Probably Luba; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Face Mask (Kifwebe)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 52 cm (20½ in.)

Horstmann Collection, Zug, Switzerland

7.2 Horrifying Masks

242

We; Côte d’Ivoire

Face Mask (Dehe Gla)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, metal, and fiber

H. 31 cm (12 3/16 in.)

Private collection, France; courtesy of Yann Ferrandin, Paris

Provenance: Roland Pucci, Paris, 1954; Yann Ferrandin, Paris.

243

Northern We; Côte d’Ivoire

Face Mask (Tonhu Zri)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, metal, and fiber

H. 37 cm (14 9/16 in.)

Private collection, France; courtesy of Yann Ferrandin, Paris

Provenance: Ernst Ascher, Prague and Paris, possibly by 1928; Yann Ferrandin, Paris.

244

Probably Ubi; Côte d’Ivoire

Face Mask

20th century

Wood, pigment, cowrie shells, fiber, and cotton

H. 43 cm (16 15/16 in.)

Private collection, Belgium

Provenance: Dalank Collection; Didier Claes, Brussels.

245

We; Côte d’Ivoire or Liberia

Mask

20th century

Wood, pigment, chicken feet, bells, cloth, leopard skin, animal hair, and sacrificial materials

55.9 × 41.9 × 24.1 cm (22 × 16½ × 9½ in.)

Robert T. Wall Family Collection, San Francisco

Provenance: Loed van Bussel, Amsterdam; Lewis/Wara Gallery, Seattle; private collection, United States; Sotheby’s, New York, Nov. 16, 2001, lot 93.

Art Institute of Chicago only

246

Eastern We, Nyabwa, or Western Bete; Côte d’Ivoire

Face Mask (Tehe Gla)

20th century

Wood, pigment, and metal

H. 32 cm (12⅝ in.)

Private collection, New York

Provenance: Jean-Paul Delcourt, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to 1970; Lucien Van de Velde, Antwerp, 1970 to 2001.

247

Bete or Guro; Côte d’Ivoire

Face Mask (Zu)

19th century

Wood, pigment, metal, leather, horsehair, and fiber

H. 34 cm (13⅜ in.)

Private collection, Canada

Provenance: Acquired in West Africa by Jean-Baptiste Filoux, 1911–13; private collection, Paris; Sotheby’s, Paris, June 12, 2012, lot 40; Galerie Jacques Germain, Montreal.

Art Institute of Chicago only

7.3 Evil Masks

248

Ibibio; Nigeria

Face Mask (Idiok Ɛkpo)

20th century

Wood, pigment, fiber, and sacrificial materials

29.5 × 22 × 10 cm (11⅝ × 8 11/16 × 3 5/16 in.)

National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, purchased with funds provided by the Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program, 97-8-1

Provenance: Mariette Henau, Antwerp, 1974 to 1997; Alan Brandt, New York, 1997.

249

Ibibio: Annang; Nigeria

Face Mask (Idiok Ɛkpo)

Early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and fiber

H. 28.5 cm (11¼ in.)

Dierking Collection, Zurich

Provenance: Kegel-Konietzko Ethnographica, Hamburg, Germany (acquired in situ by Lore Kegel or Boris Kegel-Konietzko, 1950s); private collection, Bonn, Germany, 1970s; private collection, Cologne, Germany, 1998 to 2009.

250

Ibibio; Nigeria

Face Mask (Idiok Ɛkpo)

20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 35 (13¾ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Schweizer Premodern, New York

Provenance: René Rasmussen, Paris, 1970s or earlier; Loudmer-Poulain, Paris, Dec. 14, 1979, lot 47; Michel Gaud, Saint-Tropez, France; Sotheby’s, London, Nov. 29, 1993, lot 75; Arman, New York; by descent to Corice Canton Arman, New York; Didier Claes, Brussels; Michel Vandenkerckhove, Kraainem, Belgium; Didier Claes, Brussels.

7.4 Humorous Imperfections

251

Bamana; Mali

Head of a Hobbyhorse (Korèdugaso)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and iron

H. 40.7 cm (16 in.)

The Cleveland Museum of Art, James Albert Ford Memorial Fund, 1935.307

Provenance: Louis Carré, Paris, by 1935.

252

Bamana; Mali

Hyena Mask (Suruku)

20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 44 cm (17¼ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Heinrich Schweizer, New York

Provenance: Morris J. Pinto, Paris, 1960s; Maurice and Philippe Ratton, Paris; Jean Syrota, Paris; Alain de Monbrison, Paris.

253

Bamana; Mali

Horse Mask (probably Sokun Kun)

20th century

Wood, pigment, cowrie shells, and fiber

44.5 × 17.5 × 17.2 cm (17½ × 6⅞ × 6¾ in.)

The Menil Collection, Houston, 70-030 DJ

Provenance: J. J. Klejman, New York, 1970.

254

Guro; Côte d’Ivoire

Male Face Mask (Zauli)

20th century

Wood, pigment, and metal tacks

63 × 17.5 cm (24¾ × 6⅞ in.)

The Art Institute of Chicago, restricted gift of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene A. Davidson, 1976.21

Provenance: Mathias Komor, New York, by 1975.

255

Guro; Côte d’Ivoire

Male Face Mask (Zauli)

20th century

Wood and pigment

27.1 × 14.4 × 9.8 cm (10 11/16 × 5 11/16 × 3⅞)

National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, museum purchase, 98-16-1

Provenance: Jean Willy Mestach, Brussels, to 1967; Lucien Van de Velde, Antwerp, 1967 to 1998.

256

Eastern Pende; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Face Mask (Kindombolo)

20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 20.5 cm (8½ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, 1026-25

257

Eastern Pende; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Face Mask (Kindombolo)

20th century

Wood and pigment

23.5 × 16.8 × 5 cm (9¼ × 6⅝ × 2 in.)

Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Eiteljorg, 1989.1123

Provenance: Baum and Silverman Gallery, Los Angeles, 1977; Harrison Eiteljorg, Indianapolis, 1977 to 1989.

7.5 Perfect Pairings

258

Senufo: Senambele, probably Nafara; Côte d’Ivoire

Two-Headed Helmet Mask (possibly Wabele or Wanyugo)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

L. 74 cm (29½ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, 1006-10

Provenance: Emil Storrer, Zurich, by 1952–53; Josef Mueller, Solothurn, Switzerland.

259

Senufo: probably Fodonon; Côte d’Ivoire

Hemet Mask (possibly Gbon)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

L. 98 cm (38⅝ in.)

Nies-Cerulus Collection, Antwerp

Provenance: Lucien Van de Velde, Antwerp, 1977; Loed van Bussel, Amsterdam, 1978; Gerard Schraverus, Netherlands, 1978 to 1999.

260

Senufo: Senambele; Côte d’Ivoire

Helmet Mask (Kponyungo)

19th to early 20th century Wood and pigment

27.9 × 27.3 × 102.9 cm (11 × 10¾ × 40½ in.)

The Art Institute of Chicago, African and Amerindian Art Purchase Fund, 1963.842

Provenance: Henri A. Kamer Gallery, New York, by 1963.

261

Probably a Kulebele workshop Senufo or Dyula; Côte d’Ivoire

Face Mask (probably Kpeli-ye’e)

19th century Wood and pigment

H. 35.2 cm (13⅞ in.)

The Kronos Collections

Provenance: André Level, Paris, before 1922 to 1943; Hôtel Drouot, Paris, Feb. 1, 1943, lot 92; André Lefèvre, Paris; Charles Ratton, Paris; Alain Schoffel, Paris; Lance and Roberta Entwistle, London and Paris.

262

Probably a Kulebele workshop Senufo or Dyula; Côte d’Ivoire

Face Mask (probably Kpeli-ye’e)

19th to early 20th century

Wood and pigment

36 × 16 × 8.5 cm (14¼ × 6¼ × 3⅓ in.)

Nies-Cerulus Collection, Antwerp

Provenance: Private collection, France; Michel Gaud, Saint-Tropez, France, to 1991; Loed and Mia van Bussel, Amsterdam, 1991 to 1996; Étude Jutheau, Paris, June 25, 1996, lot 27; Alain de Monbrison, Paris, 1996–97; private collection, Barcelona, 1997 to 2013.

263

Possibly a Kulebele workshop Senufo; Côte d’Ivoire

Face Mask (possibly Kpeli-ye’e)

Probably early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 34 cm (13⅓ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, 1006-9

Provenance: Gilbert Bochet, Paris; Emil Storrer, Zurich.

7.6 The Brave and the Beautiful

264

Igbo; Nigeria

Helmet Mask (Mgbedike)

20th century

Wood, gum, basketry, metal, and cloth

71.3 × 38.1 × 39.4 cm (16 × 15 × 15½ in.)

Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Eiteljorg, 1989.891

Provenance: Moustapha Gueye, New York, by 1977; Harrison Eiteljorg, Indianapolis, 1977 to 1989.

265

Attributed to Ofunwa Ume of Awka (active 1950s) Igbo; Nigeria

Helmet Mask (Mgbedike)

20th century

Wood, pigment, and abrus seeds

H. 60.5 cm (23 13/16 in.)

Dierking Collection, Zurich

Provenance: Samir Borro, Brussels; Weissenegger Collection, Amstetten, Austria, 2000 to 2009; private collection, Cologne, 2009 to 2011.

266

Igbo: Awka-Onitsha; Nigeria Helmet Mask (Mgbedike)

20th century

Wood, pigment, fiber, and seed pods

94.3 × 30.5 × 34.3 cm (37⅛ × 12 × 13½ in.)

Robert T. Wall Family Collection, San Francisco

Provenance: Acquired in West Africa by Alain Dufour, Paris, c. 1970; Lucien Van de Velde, Antwerp; Ralph Nash, London; private collection; Alain de Monbrison, Paris; Hubert Goldet, Paris, by 1979; François de Ricqlès, Paris, June 30, 2001, lot 130.

Art Institute of Chicago only

267

Igbo; Nigeria

Male Figure (Ikenga)

20th century

Wood, sacrificial materials, pigment, and raffia

74.5 × 18 × 20 cm (29 5/16 × 7 1/16 × 7⅞ in.)

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund, 2015.72

Provenance: Possibly acquired in Cameroon by Jacques Kerchache, 1968 or 1969; Jacques Kerchache, Paris, by 1970 to 2001; Anne Kerchache, Paris, 2001 to 2010; Pierre Bergé and Associés, Paris, June 13, 2010, lot 322; Steven Morris, New York and Michigan, 2010 to 2015.

268

Igbo: Awka-Onitsha; Nigeria

Male Figure (Ikenga)

20th century

Wood, pigment, cloth, and glass

97.8 × 15.2 × 17.8 cm (38½ × 6 × 7 in.)

Robert T. Wall Family Collection, San Francisco

Provenance: Jacques Kerchache, Paris, early 1980s to 2003.

Art Institute of Chicago only

269

Igbo; Anambra Valley, Nigeria

Male Figure (Ikenga)

Early 20th century

Wood and pigment

61 × 19.7 × 22.9 cm (24 × 7¾ × 9 in.)

Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University, Bloomington, 70.50

Provenance: Philip Goldman, London; Gallery 43, London, 1970.

270

Igbo: Awka-Onitsha; Nigeria

Face Mask (Agbogho Mmuo)

Early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 18 cm (7⅛ in.)

Dierking Collection, Zurich

Provenance: Kegel-Konietzko Ethnographica, Hamburg, Germany (acquired in situ by Lore Kegel or Boris Kegel-Konietzko, 1950s or earlier); private collection, Bonn, Germany, 1970s; private collection, Cologne, Germany, 1998 to 2009.

271

Igbo; Nigeria

Face Mask (Agbogho Mmuo)

20th century

Wood and pigment

25.4 × 14 × 7.9 cm (10 × 5½ × 3⅛ in.)

Detroit Institute of Arts, Bequest of Robert H. Tannahill, 70.99

Provenance: Robert H. Tannahill, Grosse Pointe, MI, to 1970.

272

Igbo; Nigeria

Half-Helmet Mask (Agbogho Mmuo)

Early 20th century

Wood and pigment

H. 40 cm (15¾ in.)

Dierking Collection, Zurich

Provenance: Kegel-Konietzko Ethnographica, Hamburg, Germany (acquired in situ by Lore Kegel or Boris Kegel-Konietzko, 1950s or earlier); private collection, Bonn, Germany, 1970s; private collection, Cologne, Germany, 1998 to 2009.

8 Awesome Art

273

Attributed to the Chiloango River Master

Kongo: Yombe; Angola, Cabinda, or Democratic Republic of the Congo

Male Figure (Nkisi Nkondi: Mangaaka)

19th century

Wood, pigment, iron, ceramic, fiber, textile, and glass

115 × 45 × 37.5 cm (45¼ × 17¾ × 14¾ in.)

Horstmann Collection, Zug, Switzerland

Provenance: Acquired in the Loango region in Central Africa by Robert Visser, 1882–1903; Umlauf, Hamburg, Germany, 1927; Alfred Meyer, Bremgarten, Switzerland, before 1970 to 1998.

274

Kongo: Yombe; Angola, Cabinda, or Democratic Republic of the Congo

Male Figure (Nkisi Nkondi)

19th century

Wood, pigment, metal, horns, glass, mirror, fiber, and cloth

H. 85 cm (33½ in.)

Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, de Young, museum purchase, gift of Mrs. Paul L. Wattis and the Fine Arts Museums Acquisition Fund, 1986.16.1

Provenance: Acquired in the Loango region in Central Africa by Robert Visser, 1882–1903; Museum für Völkerkunde, Leipzig, Germany, 1903 to 1975; Walter Randel, New York; Herbert Baker, Chicago, 1977 or 1978 to 1986.

Art Institute of Chicago only

275

Kongo: Yombe; Angola, Cabinda, or Democratic Republic of the Congo

Male Figure (Nkisi Nkondi)

19th century

Wood, pigment, metal, fiber, and cloth

H. 81 cm (31¾ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Schweizer Premodern, New York

Provenance: Acquired in the Loango region by Robert Visser, 1882–1903; Linden-Museum, Stuttgart, Germany; Mathias Komor, New York, with the assistance of Ludwig Brettschneider, Munich, Germany, Feb. 13, 1970; Jay T. Last, Beverly Hills, CA.

276

Kongo: Yombe; possibly Democratic Republic of the Congo

Male Figure (Nkisi Nkondi)

19th century

Wood, pigment, metal, and cloth

H. 97 cm (38 3/16 in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, 1021-5

Provenance: Acquired in Central Africa, c. 1905; Sœurs de St. Pierre Claver, Fribourg, Switzerland.

277

Kongo: Yombe; probably Democratic Republic of the Congo

Two-Headed Dog Figure (Nkisi Nkondi Mbwa or Nkisi Kozo)

19th century

Wood, pigment, metal, and resin

L. 68 cm (26¾ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Galerie Bernard Dulon, Paris

Provenance: Jacques Uhlmann, Paris, before 1970; Philippe Ratton and Daniel Hourdé, Paris; Michel Périnet, Paris, 1993 to 2020; Christie’s, Paris, June 23, 2021, lot 18.

278

Kongo: Yombe; possibly Democratic Republic of the Congo

Two-Headed Dog Figure (Nkisi Nkondi Mbwa or Nkisi Kozo)

19th century

Wood, pigment, and metal

L. 67.5 cm (26 9/16 in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, 1021-35

Provenance: Acquired in Central Africa, c. 1905; Sœurs de St. Pierre Claver, Fribourg, Switzerland.

279

Kongo: Manyanga; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Female(?) Figure (Nkisi Nkondi)

19th century

Wood, pigment, iron, beads, and fiber

H. 51 cm (20 in.)

Weill Collection, Paris

Provenance: Giovanni Trolli, Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Belgium, by 1937; Pierre Dartevelle, L’Impasse St. Jacques, Brussels, by 1986; private collection, Belgium; Christie’s, Paris, Dec. 10, 2012, lot 74.

280

Kongo: Kamba; Republic of the Congo

Female(?) Figure (Nkisi Nkondi)

19th century Wood, pigment, and iron

H. 70 cm (27 9/16 in.)

Private collection, France

Provenance: Acquired in Central Africa by Charles Perdrizet, c. 1890; Raoul Lehuard, Arnouville, France, 1980s; Ratton-Hourdé, Paris; Alain Lecomte, Paris; Daniel and Carmen Klein, Paris; Galerie Abla and Alain Lecomte, Paris.

281

Songye; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Male Figure (Nkishi)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, copper, metal, glass beads, raffia, antelope horns, goat horn, and civet hide

55.9 × 52 × 43.1 (22 × 20½ × 17 in.)

Dallas Museum of Art, The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., 2014.4.1.McD

Provenance: Reportedly Ralph Nash, London, 1970s or earlier; Merton D. Simpson, New York, c. 1980; Allan Stone, New York, 1981 to 2006; Sotheby’s, New York, Nov. 15, 2013, lot 114.

282

Songye: Kalebwe; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Male Figure (Nkishi: Yankima)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, metal, cloth, feathers, fur, and reptile skin

H. 83.8 cm (33 in.)

Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, The Ballard Fund, Lucille Stewart Endowed Art Fund, E. Hardey Adriance Fine Arts Acquisition Fund in memory of Marguerite Hardey Adriance, Roger G. Wolcott Fund and Mary V. Black Art Endowment Fund, 2005.21

Provenance: Acquired in Nkoto Mase village, Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo), by Paul Timmermans, 1959; Carlo Monzino, Castagnola, Switzerland, by 1986; private collection, Europe; Sotheby’s, New York, May 19, 2001, lot 198; Jacques Mallet, New York; Mallet family, 2001 to 2005; Sotheby’s, New York (private sale), 2005.

283

Songye; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Male Figure (Nkishi)

19th to early 20th century Wood, pigment, metal, fiber, beads, and seed pods

H. 41 cm (16⅛ in.)

Private collection, New York

Provenance: Hendrik Elias, Wieze, Belgium; Jean Willy Mestach, Brussels.

284

Songye; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Male Figure (Nkishi)

19th century

Wood, pigment, copper, brass, iron, antelope horn, animal hair, raffia cloth, and glass beads

H. 69 cm (27 3/16 in.)

ABG Collection, Paris Provenance: Acquired in Central Africa by Willy-Eugène Claes, 1903–18; probably Freddy Rolin, Belgium; Alexis Bonew, Brussels, 1970 or 1971 to 2014; Sotheby’s, Paris, Dec. 10, 2014, lot 13.

285

Songye; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Male Figure (Nkishi)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, metal, horn, and fur

H. 83.2 cm (32¾ in.)

Robert T. Wall Family Collection, San Francisco

Provenance: Acquired in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, by Pierre Dartevelle, 1970; Jacques Kerchache, Paris, 1970 to 2001; Kerchache family by descent, 2001 to 2003.

Art Institute of Chicago only

286

Songye; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Figure (Nkishi)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, and copper tacks

H. 24 cm (9½ in.)

Weill Collection, Paris

Provenance: Ernst and Ruth Anspach, New York; Alain de Monbrison, Paris; Jeff Soref, New York; Sotheby’s, New York, Nov. 20, 2010, lot 3.

287

Songye; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Male Figure (Nkishi)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, metal, antelope horn, reptile skin, and cloth

31.5 × 8 × 8 cm (12½ × 3⅛ × 3⅛ in.)

Private collection; courtesy of Galerie Alain Bovis, Paris

Provenance: Émile Deletaille, Brussels, by 1970; Loed van Bussel, Amsterdam; Galerie Alain Bovis, Paris.

288

Songye; Democratic Republic of the Congo

Male Figure (Nkishi)

19th to early 20th century

Wood, pigment, copper, brass, iron, horn, fur, and glass beads

H. 84.4 cm (33¼ in.)

ABG Collection, Paris

Provenance: Private collection, Belgium, by 1926; Jean Willy Mestach, Brussels; Jacques Kerchache, Paris; Kimbell Art Foundation, Fort Worth, 1979 to 1989; Sotheby’s, New York, May 8, 1989, lot 76; Alan Mann, London, 1989 to 2008; Christie’s, Paris, Dec. 4, 2008, lot 319.

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