PERHAPS MADE FOR THE ZELA ROYAL COURT

Details

A RARE AND IMPORTANT LUBA DRUM
Perhaps made for the Zela royal court
The stem carved as two squatting female figures back-to-back, the short curved legs carved on the circular base which has a border of incised chevrons, with inset brass upholstery nails to the eyes and nipples of each figure, extensive keloid scarification about the abdomens, grooved coiffures, a band of white and translucent beads about the single neck, the arms uplifted to hold the hemispherical drum which is decorated with two bands of chevrons, hide membrane, dark reddish-brown patina
70cm. high

Provenance

Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels

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.

Sale room notice

Please note that the provenanve of this lot is Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels

Lot Essay

The present drum resembles in most respects that in lot 296 and may also have been made for the royal court of the Zela, the Luba-related group to the east of the Lualaba River. However it is obviously by another carver who has treated the details such as the finger nails and scarification with greater sensibility. There appears to be no previous history recorded for this fine example, although the discussion in the note to the previous drum could well apply to this one.

More from TRIBAL ART FROM THE ESTATE OF THE LATE BARON FREDDY ROLIN

View All