african art – Jasper52

June 23 offering of African tribal art sparks wonder and joy

June 18, 2021

Humans make art, and making art makes us human. Nothing brings this fact into sharp relief quite like looking at tribal art and artifacts. Hundreds of groups, communities, and bands of people–some still with us, some long vanished–used, and continue to use, whatever materials are available to them to express themselves, tell their stories, and nourish their souls. You don’t need to be a member of the tribe to appreciate the creativity and the beauty of these pieces.

Undated Dan tribal mask, estimated at $2,500-$3,000

View the auction here.

Learn more about the auction on Auction Central News.

Tribal treasures offered in Jasper52 online auction Sept. 9

September 4, 2020

Nature photographer and author Klaus Paysan discovered his enthusiasm for the African continent during a journey lasting several years. On more than 100 other trips he worked as a photographer and tour guide, always with the aim of highlighting the human qualities of Africans in their traditional culture. His keen interest and participation in the lively African culture resulted in numerous contacts and close friendships. More than 100 lots of Payson’s African tribal art collection will be offered in a Jasper52 online auction on Wednesday, Sept. 9.

Cameroon wooden statue of mother and child, 69 x 25 x 17cm. Estimate $4,000-$5,000. Jasper52 image

View the auction here.

Learn more about the auction on Auction Central News.

The Many Facets of African Tribal Art in One Collection

June 14, 2017

Out of Africa comes this collection of masks and figures integral to traditional tribal ceremonies. Imbued with stylized detail and tremendous depth of meaning, these handcrafted items enchant collectors worldwide.

Carved out in this collection are masks and figures integral to traditional ceremonies from tribes around the world. Given their geometrics designs, it is no wonder these artifacts are widely exhibited alongside modern sculptures.

The Dogon people, who dwell in the central plateau region of Mali, in western Africa, are known for their wooden sculpture and architecture. Two door locks in the collection represent a combination of the two. The more detailed of the two is made of wood and metal and depicts a primordial couple. It was acquired in situ by Jerry Vogel of New York City, who was a longtime associate for the Museum for African Art.

Door lock depicting primordial couple, Dogon people, Mali, 15in tall with base. Ex collection Jerry Vogel, New York City. Wood, metal and ritual substance. Estimate: $2,200-$2,400. Jasper52 image

More than a dozen masks are in this collection. One of the most dramatic is a polychrome mask from the Igala people of Nigeria. Carved of medium-density wood, this mask shows much evidence of having years of use. A custom mount is also included.

Polychrome mask; Igala people, Nigeria, wood with earth pigments. Well oxidized older mask of medium density wood. Estimate: $1,500-$1,700. Jasper52 image

Just as visually arresting is an Atwonzen beaded head by the Bamileke people of Grassfields, Cameroon. This item made of fiber and glass beads is from the fabled Merton D. Simpson collection.

Beaded head Atwonzen, Bamileke people, Grassfields, Cameroon, 6in high, fiber and glass beads. Estimate: $1,200-$1,400. Jasper52 image

An unusual decoy used by hunters in the grasslands of northeast Nigeria and southwest Niger represents the often-encountered Abyssinian ground hornbill. Hunters wore such decoys on their heads to mask their approach to antelope, buffalo and other game.

Hunter’s decoy, various peoples, northeast Nigeria, southwest Niger, 18in tall. Estimate: $1,200-$1,400. Jasper52 image

An anthropomorphic pipe from the Mangbetu people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo represents a bearded man. From a New York City private collection, this pipe was acquired in Belgium before 1974.

Anthropomorphic pipe, Mangbetu people, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 9 1/2in long. Estimate: $2,200-$2,400. Jasper52 image

The piece with the highest estimated value in this collection is a Tampulma or Vagala mask made of wood and decorated with indigenous pigments.

Vagala or Tampulma mask. Estimate: $2,400-$2,600. Jasper52 image

Additional items in this collection include knives, tribal currency and sculpture. Explore these treasures here.

The Many Faces of Tribal Art in One Collection

March 7, 2017

Let’s go on an adventure to explore this newly curated collection of Tribal Art. Carved out in this collection of tribal art are masks and figures integral to traditional African ceremonies. Imbued with stylized detail and tremendous depth of meaning, handcrafted African, Native American and Pre-Columbian pieces enchant collectors worldwide.

Among the cross-continental highlights are a large Songye cat mask from the Congo, which may have been used for hunting rituals, and a Baule mother and a child carved group from the Ivory Coast. The antique piece represents the fine carving skill frequently seen in Baule art.

LEFT: Antique Songye cat mask, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Estimate: $5,000-$7,000
RIGHT: Finely carved Baule mother and child, Ivory Coast. Estimate $8,000-$9,000. Jasper52 images

A traditional Nimba figure by the Baga people of Guinea is said to symbolize ideas of beauty, comportment, righteousness, dignity, and social duty. Nimba figures like this inspired the paintings of Pablo Picasso.

Traditional Nimba figure, Baga, Guinea. Wood with metal details. Estimate $14,000-$15,000. Jasper52 image

Moving to the Western Hemisphere, a highlight in this collection is a beautiful black-on-black pottery bowl by Maria Martinez from the peak of her career. Maria Martinez (1887-1980) was a Native American artist internationally known for her pottery work, and created pieces to reflect the Pueblo people’s legacy of fine artwork and crafts.

Signed Maria Martinez black-on-black pottery bowl, 1943-54. Estimate: $900-$1,000. Jasper52 image

Navajo woven items are also highlighted in this 119-lot collection, starting with a transitional rug, circa 1890.

Transitional Navajo rug, circa 1890, 60in x 84in. Estimate $4,000-$6,000. Jasper52 image

Another large Navajo rug in this eclectic collection dates to around 1910.

Navajo rug, circa 1910, 82in x 55in. Estimate $3,000-$4,000. Jasper52 image

Given their geometric volumes, it is no wonder that African, Native American and Pre-Columbian artifacts are widely exhibited alongside modern sculptures.

View the full collection of Tribal Art presented by Jasper52 here.

Tribal Masks Embody October 2nd African Art Auction

September 28, 2016

The upcoming October 2nd African art auction is composed of more than 40 tribal masks and complemented by related items. Carved out in this collection are masks and objects integral to traditional African ceremonies. Imbued with stylized detail and tremendous depth of meaning, handcrafted African pieces are widely exhibited alongside modern sculptures.

An evocative mask of the Pende people bears a resemblance to Edvard Munch’s iconic The Scream paintings. Pende masks were used during rituals involving initiation and education.

Pende mask, carved wood, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 15 x 8 1/2 inches. Estimate: $200-$300

Another eerie mask is by the Songye people, also from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They have long been considered superior artisans best known for their pottery and metalwork.

Songye carved wood mask, 8 1/2 x 8 3/4 inches. Estimate: $400-$500

The Lega people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo use masks as vital initiation objects that enforce social order. One of their masks in the auction has a Close Encounters look to it.

Lega carved wood mask, 11 1/2 x 8 4/4 inches. Estimate: $300-$400

Yoruba priests in Nigeria enlist the aid of Osanyin, the spirit of herbal medicines. Osanyin healing staffs were used to ward off the spirits that would “drain the life force out of people” thus making them ill. This healing staff, the opening lot in the sale, dates to the 19th or 20th century.

Yoruba Osanyin bird healing staff. Estimate: $400-$600

Yoruba healers wear masks to drive away evil spirits. The Yoruba people also use masks during funerary ceremonies to embody the spirit of the deceased.