A YAKA MAGIC FIGURE | Christie's

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The following twenty-four lots were collected by Professor Henri Louis Vis (1928-2002). Henri Louis Vis was born in Berchem (Antwerp) in 1928 and chose a career in medicine, specialising in pediatrics. A trip to Katanga in about 1956 to research a thesis on child malnutrition was to spark an interest in the art of the area which would become a life-long passion. Whilst there, he and a colleague, took the opportunity of travelling to remote areas by lorry as far as the roads would allow, and then continuing their journeys by bicycle visiting remote villages in search of interesting artefacts to acquire for their growing collections. They relished the opportunity of discussing their acquisitions with the villagers and finding out as much as possible about the objects they acquired. Heri Vis gained a reputation for his knowledge of the art of the area, which led him to make further acquisitions. When an old Bembe helmet mask was discovered in an attic in Bugavu Kivu, Henri Vis was called to identify it and was able to acquire it for his collection (lot 301). He was later to direct Le Centre de Lwero de IRSAC (Institut de Reserche Scientifique en Afrique Central) and the Mission Médicale de CEMUBAC (Centre d'Etudes Médicale de l'Université de Bruxelles).

A YAKA MAGIC FIGURE

Details

A YAKA MAGIC FIGURE
Standing with the abdomen encased in cloth retaining fetish material, further fetish bundles suspended about the neck, a cloth band below the crested coiffure, scarified cheeks, dark patina
38cm. high

Special notice

Christie's charges a Buyer's premium calculated at 23.205% of the hammer price for each lot with a value up to €110,000. If the hammer price of a lot exceeds €110,000 then the premium for the lot is calculated at 23.205% of the first €110,000 plus 11.9% of any amount in excess of €110,000. Buyer's Premium is calculated on this basis for each lot individually.

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