Skip to main content

This auction has ended. View lot details

You may also be interested in

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

Twa Headrest, Democratic Republic of the Congo image 1
Twa Headrest, Democratic Republic of the Congo image 2
Lot 137

Twa Headrest, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Amended
11 May 2021, 11:00 EDT
New York

Sold for US$5,355 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our African and Oceanic Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Ask about this lot

Twa Headrest, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Wood
length 9 1/4in (23.5cm)

Provenance
Marc Leo Felix, Brussels ("FC 990" written on base)
Dr. Evan Maurer, Minneapolis
Bonhams, New York, 14 November 2013, Lot 80
Belgium Private Collection

Composed of two human torsos back to back, faces leaning forward, arms folded along the torso, the slightly concave pillow connecting the back of the two heads and decorated with small diamond patterns in relief.

The Twa are a group of pygmies who live among the Kuba populations. The designation "Twa" means people of short stature in the Bantu language. The Twa are the only known pygmies to have created wood sculptures. The influence of Luba art is visible with the typical Kuba geometric designs on the pillow. We know of five other examples of this rare type of neck support: one at the RMCA, Tervuren; a second from the Jerome Joss Collection at the Fowler Museum in Los Angeles; one formerly in the William Brill Collection, New York, now in the Graham Beck Collection, South Africa; another in the Theodore Celenko collection; and finally, one currently in a Detroit private collection.

Saleroom notices

Please note, Lot 137 title should read Twa Headrest, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Additional information

Bid now on these items

PERSONNAGE GUERRERO EN SERPENTINE Mexique, Culture du Guerrero, influence Olmèque, 350-100 av. J.C.

TÊTE HACHA VERACRUZ EN PIERRE VOLCANIQUE Mexique, Culture Veracruz, Période classique, 450-750 ap. J.C.

MASQUE ANTHROPOZOOMORPHE EN COQUILLAGE Mexique, Culture Maya, Période classique, 450-750 ap. J.C.

TÊTE EN STUC MAYA Mexique, Culture Maya, région du Yucatan, Période classique, 500-900 ap. J.C

VASE MAYA CYLINDRIQUE EN TERRE CUITE Mexique, Culture Maya, Période préclassique, 500-900 ap. J.C.

PERSONNAGE DEBOUT EN TERRE CUITE COLIMA Mexique, El Chanal-Colima, Période postclassique, 900-1521 ap. J.C.

STATUE AZTÈQUE DE CHALCHIUHTLICUE, DÉESSE DE LA FERTILITÉ, EN PIERRE VOLCANIQUE Mexique, Culture Aztèque (ou Mexica), 1400-1520 ap. J.C.

STATUETTE AZTÈQUE DE XIPE TOTEC EN PIERRE VOLCANIQUE Mexique, Culture Aztèque (ou Mexica), 1400-1520 ap. J.C.

MASQUE FUNÉRAIRE CHANCAY EN BOIS Pérou, Culture Chancay, 1100-1450 ap. J.C.

URNE FUNÉRAIRE CALCHAQUÍ EN TERRE CUITE Argentine, Style Santa Maria, Vallées de Santa María et Calchaquí, Diaguita-Calchaquí, Époque tardive, 1000-1400 ap. J.C.

VASE NICOYA REPRÉSENTANT UN JAGUAR EN TERRE CUITE Costa Rica, Culture Guanacaste, Civilisation Chorotega, ca. XIIe siècle ap. J.C.

Fine Ceremonial Scarf, South Sumatra circa 1910 silk, framed78 x 36 1/4in (198.1 x 92cm)ProvenanceEuropean Private Collection