
This auction has ended. View lot details
You may also be interested in


Lot 137
Twa Headrest, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Amended
11 May 2021, 11:00 EDT
New YorkSold for US$5,355 inc. premium
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 specialistAsk about this lot


Client Services (San Francisco)

Client Services (Los Angeles)
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.
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.














