The live auction includes 448 objects with prices ranging from a low estimate of €80 to a high estimate of €36,000. Some of the highlights include:
Lot 126: a rare “kpan” mask. Estimate: €24,000 – 36,000.
“This type of mask is part of the "goli" masquerade, a day-long performance that involves the entire village population and which displays four pairs of masks. This popular event only takes place during an important event such as the death of a notable or a major celebration. The "kpans" are the last to take part in the ballet, their appearance remaining exceptional; the ornamentation and colors are equally attributed to the two sexes, nothing making it possible to distinguish them clearly and their role remaining ambivalent. Although we still have a great many examples of Baule art, including statuettes and masks, "kpan" masks of this type are quite rare.”
Lot 150: a fine example of a “deangle” mask. Estimate: €18,000 – 27,000
“The "deangle" mask characters belong to circumcision camps ("mbon") of young boys and girls, which are always situated in the holy forest nearby the village. The camp is protected by the invisible forest ghost "nana", who appoints the "deangle" mask characters, which are responsible for food and protection of the young boys and girls. They are not accompanied by musicians and they are not singing and dancing, but moving gracefully and joking with the women, begging them to send plenty of food for the camp. They act as a mediator between camp and village.”
Lot 207: Eket Dance Crest. Estimate €20,000 – 30,000.
“The Eket are a small ethnic group belonging to the Ibibio, settling in about 45 villages. Just like the Ibibio the Eket have an “Ekpo” society, a society of soothsayers, called “Idiong,” a society named after the god of war “Ekong” and the “Ogbom” society worshipping the goddess of fertility. Dance crests like the present were used in “Ogbom” masquerades and could reach a height up to 80 cm. “
Stay tuned for the results.
Dori Rootenberg
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