Pende Ikhoko Pendant, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Restricted Species

Lot closes

December 10, 04:05 PM GMT

Estimate

3,000 - 5,000 EUR

Starting Bid

2,200 EUR

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Lot Details

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Description

Pende Ikhoko Pendant, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Hippopotamus (hippopotamus amphibius) ivory

Haut. 6,2 cm ; Height. 2 ½ in

Veuillez noter que ce lot contient des espèces protégées. Veuillez noter que Sotheby's n'est pas en mesure d'assister les acheteurs avec le transport de lots contenant des espèces protégées vers les Etats-Unis. L'impossibilité par l'acheteur d'exporter ou d'importer ces lots ne justifie pas un retard de paiement ou l'annulation de la vente. Please note that this lot contains restricted materials. Sotheby's is not able to assist buyers with the shipment of any lots containing restricted materials into the U.S.A. Buyer's inability to export or import these lots cannot justify a delay in payment or a sale's cancellation.

Anne and Jacques Kerchache Collection (1942–2001), Paris, inv. no. 371

Pierre Bergé & Associés, Paris, Collection Anne and Jacques Kerchache, 12 June 2010, lot 371

Jean-Louis Danis Collection, acquired at this sale

Ikoko, which translates as “scaled-down masks” in the Pende language, are miniature ivory pendants made by the Central Pende people of the DRC. They are among the finest works of African art. According to Vivianne Baeke, they were inspired by an ancient type of crest mask known as gambuya ga malela. They are smaller versions of mbuya masks and condense their protective and therapeutic properties. (White Gold, Black Hands, Ivory Sculpture in Congo, Vol.2, 2011),

At once aesthetic artefacts and powerful spiritual symbols, the Ikokos epitomise the essence of artistic and religious tradition among the Central Pende people.