Interiors & Decorations

Jewellery & Precious Stones

Watches, Pens & Lighters

Fashion

Coins & Stamps

Comics & Animation

Classic Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia

Wine, Whisky & Spirits

Asian & Tribal Art

Trading Cards

Toys & Models

Archaeology & Natural History

Sports

Music, Movies & Cameras

Books & Historical Memorabilia

The finest objects brought to you by {name}

Julien Gauthier

Rare Barkcloth Textile – Mbuti People, Ituri Forest, Congo

An exceptional example of Mbuti barkcloth from the Ituri Forest, Congo. These textiles are made from beaten tree bark, softened and painted with striking, rhythmic patterns in natural pigments. The abstract designs often echo the forest environment and carry deep cultural meaning.

Created by the Mbuti people, among the last hunter-gatherer societies of Central Africa, barkcloths were traditionally worn during ceremonies and rituals, and today are highly prized for their bold, almost modernist aesthetic.

This piece, with its refined composition and strong provenance, represents a unique intersection of art, culture, and history. A rare and collectible textile of museum quality.
Selling worldwide, safely packed

Sold by Koos Knol, ethnographer and anthropologist, dealer of Papua Tribal Art for more than 30 years, expert and author of the book “Papua Blues”, written in Dutch. (Maybe in English next year.)  Published end of October 2024
A book about inside stories, a book that deals with the many encounters with special people in West Papua, the impressive experiences that the author has, about special encounters with men and women who tell him about secret things, about ethnographic objects and initiate him into the rituals and ceremonies. 
A must have for collectors, ethnographers, ethnologists, anthropologists and museums

Google: Papua Blues Koos Knol


Mid 20th century - tapa cloth - Excellent condition

Worn during rituals - Mbuti - Congo  (No Reserve Price)

African & Tribal Art

Reserve price

No reserve price

Closing date

23 August

Wednesday

Sunday

Tuesday

Thursday

21 August

Monday

Budget

From

Location

France

Belgium

The Netherlands

Germany

Spain

Italy

United Kingdom

Portugal

Austria

Poland

United States

Hong Kong

Romania

Türkiye

Size

S (10–40 cm)

M (40–80 cm)

L (over 80 cm)

XS (under 10 cm)

Dimensions

Height

Width

Depth

Object

Tribal art and objects

Tribal sculptures statues carvings and figurines

Tribal masks

Figure

Dance mask

Sculpture

Mask

Tribal jewellery and adornments

Painting

Tribal textiles and clothing

Tribal weaponry and shields

Fetish figure

Walking stick

Dagger

Necklace

Bead

Print

Statue

Sword

Short sword

Weights

Shield

Decorative ornament

Ancestor figure

Spoon

Country of origin

DR Congo

Côte d'Ivoire

Mali

Nigeria

Congo

Côte d’Ivoire

Gabon

Ghana

Burkina Faso

Benin

Cameroon

Ethiopia

Angola

Togo

Africa

Tanzania

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Niger

Chad

South Africa

Kenya

Zimbabwe

Central African Republic

Material

Wood

Bronze

Terracotta

Glass

Iron (wrought)

Leather

Metal

Iron (cast/wrought)

Copper

Iron (cast)

Bone

Alloy

Textile

Brass

Stone

Textiles

Cotton

Silver

Steel

Bakelite

Clay

Iron

Patinated bronze

Shell

Hardwood

Gender

Unisex

Women

Condition

Good condition

Fair condition

Excellent condition

Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

Good

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Good condition - used with some signs of wear

Fair condition -  heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing

Excellent

As new - unused

Very good condition, see description

Needs restoration

Very good

Excellent condition - barely used with minimal signs of wear

Very good condition - slightly used with small signs of wear

Good condition, see description

Good condition - used with small signs of ageing

Very good condition, very light signs of wear

Fair

Very poor - showing significant decay, loss of original texture or solidity of the material

Poor - heavily used with major cracks, damages or major parts missing

Very good +

Extras

No extra's

without manual without box

Period

Late 20th century

Mid 20th century

1930-1940

Early 20th century

1940-1950

1920-1930

2000-2010

1950-1960

Late 19th century

2020+

1900-1910

1850-1900

1960-1970

1910-1920

1970-1980

2010-2020

1990-2000

1980-1990

1800-1850

1450-1500

1500-1550

1700-1750

Mid 19th century

17th century

20th century

Certification

No laboratory report

Subject

Architecture

Style

Contemporary

Antique

Modern

Naive Art

Folk Art

Realism

Abstract

Vintage

African & Tribal Art

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Worn during rituals - Mbuti - Congo (No Reserve Price)

Popular in African & Tribal Art

1065 objects

Related collections