Neck support 'musamo' - Luba - DR Congo
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Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 750 - € 850
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Appui-nuque 'musamo', a Luba sculpture from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dating from the early 20th century, carved in chlorophora excelsa wood with patina, measuring 13.5 cm high, 11.5 cm wide and 6.5 cm deep, provenance Galerie/Antiquaire, authentic/original.
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Description from the seller
• Headrest "musamo"
• Ethnicity: Luba
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Max height: 13.5 cm
• Period: early 20th century (1900–1920)
• Materials: wood (chlorophora excellesa), patina
• Provenance: tribal art dealer Jos Humblet - Belgium
— As Mary Nooter Roberts notes, « wooden headrests were commonly used by the Luba of previous generations to protect their elegant hairstyles during sleep. The hairstyles of the figures (the caryatid neck rests) that support them reflect 19th-century fashion. The headrests were objects of extreme intimacy and carried great personal value for their owners, who regarded them as sacred and were sometimes buried with them.» (Body Politics: The Female Image in Luba Art and the Sculpture of Alison Saar, UCLA Fowler Museum of Art, Los Angeles, 2000, p. 35, fig. 35)
— This neck rest may not have a caryatid, but it remains an original and authentic work that was used by a Baluba man or woman in the early 20th century to protect their elaborate hairstyle. And that is still enough to give emotion and a piece of history to its new owner. An absolute must-have in any African art collection.
— Careful shipping and insured with tracking number. (Bpost)
• Headrest "musamo"
• Ethnicity: Luba
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Max height: 13.5 cm
• Period: early 20th century (1900–1920)
• Materials: wood (chlorophora excellesa), patina
• Provenance: tribal art dealer Jos Humblet - Belgium
— As Mary Nooter Roberts notes, « wooden headrests were commonly used by the Luba of previous generations to protect their elegant hairstyles during sleep. The hairstyles of the figures (the caryatid neck rests) that support them reflect 19th-century fashion. The headrests were objects of extreme intimacy and carried great personal value for their owners, who regarded them as sacred and were sometimes buried with them.» (Body Politics: The Female Image in Luba Art and the Sculpture of Alison Saar, UCLA Fowler Museum of Art, Los Angeles, 2000, p. 35, fig. 35)
— This neck rest may not have a caryatid, but it remains an original and authentic work that was used by a Baluba man or woman in the early 20th century to protect their elaborate hairstyle. And that is still enough to give emotion and a piece of history to its new owner. An absolute must-have in any African art collection.
— Careful shipping and insured with tracking number. (Bpost)
Details
Ethnic group/ culture
Luba
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Neck support 'musamo'
Height
13.5 cm
Width
11.5 cm
Depth
6.5 cm
Provenance
Gallery / Antique dealer
Authenticity
Original/official
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