Baule Tam-Tam Handle - Sculpture - Baule - Côte d’Ivoire
07
days
02
hours
56
minutes
52
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 500 - € 550
No bids placed
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Description from the seller
Baule Tam-Tam Handle, Côte d’Ivoire
Wood, fibre, fine dark patina. Height: 30 cm (without stand).
Mounted on a custom-made iron stand.
Provenance: Old Dutch collection, acquired in the 1970s on the Amsterdam tribal art market; since then in the same collection.
This rare and finely carved tam-tam handle shows a female head of great refinement, with high crested coiffure supported by two struts bound with old fibre, delicately scarified cheeks, and closed, meditative eyes. The surface is enriched with incised geometric motifs and a smooth, lustrous patina of deep brown tone, testifying to ritual handling and age.
Baule tam-tam handles are prestige objects associated with music, dance, and ceremonial display. The elegance of the features, together with the strong sculptural balance, reflects the Baule ideal of beauty (bla), combining refinement, serenity, and formal strength.
Dating: Early to mid-20th century (circa 1920–1940). The patina, fibre remnants, and provenance strongly support this period.
Custom iron stand included.
Seller's Story
Becker Antiques (Established 1966)
Founded in 1966 by Jan Simon Becker, Becker Antiques is one of the most respected and established dealers in Asian art in the Netherlands. Our gallery is housed in a stunning five-storey mansion built in 1891, located in Amsterdam’s prestigious Museum Quarter (Oud-Zuid), just minutes from the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the renowned Royal Concert Hall, “Koninklijk Concertgebouw.”
For nearly 60 years, we have specialized in high-quality and fully authentic works of art from China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and other classical cultures. Our main areas of expertise include:
Han–Ming dynasty pottery and tomb figures
Chinese bronzes, Buddhist sculptures, and ritual objects
Stone and wooden sculptures from Asia
Japanese and Southeast Asian artworks
Qing dynasty furniture and scholar’s items
Every object we offer is carefully selected for authenticity, originality, and historical importance. All items are guaranteed to be as described, supported by decades of specialist knowledge and connoisseurship.
Becker Antiques is trusted by museums, private collectors, and dealers worldwide. We take pride in offering not only genuine works of art, but also the integrity, expertise, and transparency that have defined our gallery for almost six decades.
For any questions, we are always happy to assist.
Legal Notice – Intellectual Property & Authenticity
All descriptions, texts, and seller information provided under the Becker Antiques profile on Catawiki constitute original intellectual property.
No part of these descriptions or seller statements may be copied, reproduced, or adapted—whether in whole or in part—without prior written permission from Becker Antiques.
Becker Antiques is the sole author and copyright holder of all seller texts used in our listings. Unauthorized use or imitation of our content, structure, or professional statements may constitute infringement under EU copyright law and may be reported to Catawiki as a violation of seller terms and misleading commercial practice.
All objects offered by Becker Antiques are guaranteed to be authentic and as described. We do not sell assembled, altered, or modern reproductions unless explicitly stated.
Baule Tam-Tam Handle, Côte d’Ivoire
Wood, fibre, fine dark patina. Height: 30 cm (without stand).
Mounted on a custom-made iron stand.
Provenance: Old Dutch collection, acquired in the 1970s on the Amsterdam tribal art market; since then in the same collection.
This rare and finely carved tam-tam handle shows a female head of great refinement, with high crested coiffure supported by two struts bound with old fibre, delicately scarified cheeks, and closed, meditative eyes. The surface is enriched with incised geometric motifs and a smooth, lustrous patina of deep brown tone, testifying to ritual handling and age.
Baule tam-tam handles are prestige objects associated with music, dance, and ceremonial display. The elegance of the features, together with the strong sculptural balance, reflects the Baule ideal of beauty (bla), combining refinement, serenity, and formal strength.
Dating: Early to mid-20th century (circa 1920–1940). The patina, fibre remnants, and provenance strongly support this period.
Custom iron stand included.
Seller's Story
Becker Antiques (Established 1966)
Founded in 1966 by Jan Simon Becker, Becker Antiques is one of the most respected and established dealers in Asian art in the Netherlands. Our gallery is housed in a stunning five-storey mansion built in 1891, located in Amsterdam’s prestigious Museum Quarter (Oud-Zuid), just minutes from the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the renowned Royal Concert Hall, “Koninklijk Concertgebouw.”
For nearly 60 years, we have specialized in high-quality and fully authentic works of art from China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and other classical cultures. Our main areas of expertise include:
Han–Ming dynasty pottery and tomb figures
Chinese bronzes, Buddhist sculptures, and ritual objects
Stone and wooden sculptures from Asia
Japanese and Southeast Asian artworks
Qing dynasty furniture and scholar’s items
Every object we offer is carefully selected for authenticity, originality, and historical importance. All items are guaranteed to be as described, supported by decades of specialist knowledge and connoisseurship.
Becker Antiques is trusted by museums, private collectors, and dealers worldwide. We take pride in offering not only genuine works of art, but also the integrity, expertise, and transparency that have defined our gallery for almost six decades.
For any questions, we are always happy to assist.
Legal Notice – Intellectual Property & Authenticity
All descriptions, texts, and seller information provided under the Becker Antiques profile on Catawiki constitute original intellectual property.
No part of these descriptions or seller statements may be copied, reproduced, or adapted—whether in whole or in part—without prior written permission from Becker Antiques.
Becker Antiques is the sole author and copyright holder of all seller texts used in our listings. Unauthorized use or imitation of our content, structure, or professional statements may constitute infringement under EU copyright law and may be reported to Catawiki as a violation of seller terms and misleading commercial practice.
All objects offered by Becker Antiques are guaranteed to be authentic and as described. We do not sell assembled, altered, or modern reproductions unless explicitly stated.
Details
Era
After 2000
Country of Origin
Côte d’Ivoire
Material
Wood
Ethnic group/ culture
Baule
Title of artwork
Baule Tam-Tam Handle
Signature
Not signed
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Good condition
Height
30 cm
Width
0 cm
Depth
0 cm
Sold by
