Collecting African Tribal Art : Captioning , Provenance and Description reports.
June 15, 2024 Leave a comment
Captioning
I recently came across a very informative article (2002) on the Toby and Barry Hecht collection which included captions by Barry Hecht [ Eastern Nigerian Art ] which were compiled after personal research and discussion. Here are two examples.
Afo Headdress – Nigeria
Left: Wood, metal, abrus seeds (9″);
Right: Wood, abrus seeds (11.25″)
“Right: Sidney Kasfir has discussed a similar mask formerly in the Tishmen Collection (1981:152-53). It bears the chameleon and,cockscomb superstructure worn by the drummer known Ekpeshi, or ‘featherrman’. According to Kasfir, the two curving horns probably relate to power and fertility. The chameleon has the ability to bring long life or death, fecundity or barrenness, depending on its color. The cock is a messenger of God and symbolizes abundance The drummer wearing the headress may perform at burials or accompany Afo chiefs on visits to neighboring villages. There is a similar headdress in the British Museum (Fagg 1963:141).”
Mambila Headdress – Suaga
Wood (11.25″)
“This object may be a headpiece from a masquerade of the Mambila male initiation cult. According to David Zeitlyn (personal communication, 1998), it is often called Suaga due (Big Saga), but contrary to earlier sources is not identified as a bush cow or crow.” [This article on the Mambila [Mambila Figurines and Masquerades, (Zeitlyn, David)] is a very good resource.]
“Alternatively, this sculpture may be the head of a protective figure. The extended tubular structure of its back could have been connected to a long fibrous tube, as illustrated by Nancy Schwartz in her catalogue of the Gilbert Schneider collection of Mambila art (1972:31). These figures with their snakelike cloth bodies are protective devices and are found beneath the storage building for ritual objects, which is raised on stilts. Suspended by a string, they swing in the wind. As with most Mambila art they are painted red, white and black”.
Provenance Report
Here are two examples of provenance reports for Suaga headdresses.
Report #1 : Suaga Headdress, Zurich (1971) [source: Van Reijn Archive of African Art]
Report #2: Suaga Headdress, 2009 [source: Artkhade.com]
Description, Condition & Catalogue Report [source: Sotheby’s]
Descriptions are mainly used to provide targeted information to patrons or buyers, and can range from simple tribal and esthetic perspectives to include provenance, cultural, religious and utilitarian insight.
Mambila Suaga headdress, Nigeria or Cameroon
Estimate : 20,000 – 30,000 USD
Sold : 28,125 USD
Description
- wood
- Length: 29 1/2 inches (75 cm)
Provenance
Private Collection, New York, acquired before 1971
Condition
Good condition for an object of this great age and type. Marks, nicks, scratches, abrasions, and small chips throughout consistent with age and use. Surface weathered, with erosion and losses from insect damage throughout, especially inside mouth, to tip and proper right side of snout, top of head between horns, tips of horns, and rim of underside. Small crack extending from proper right corner of mouth. Opening of about 1 – 1 1/2 inches below and to the right of mouth. Fine aged surface with black, red, and white pigment and areas of encrustation.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby’s is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD “AS IS” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
In her discussion of a closely related Mambila suaga mask, of younger age, in the Musée Barbier-Mueller in Geneva, Hahner-Herzog (1997: pl. 60) notes: “[The Barbier-Mueller] suaga mask has zoomorphic features which are difficult to associate with any one specific animal. While the gaping mouth lined with sharp teeth calls a dog to mind, the head displays two long, curving horns. Viewed in profile, it shows a sweeping convex curve extending from the forehead to the tip of the snout. A sparing application of white paint emphasizes the pointed ears with triangular ridges, the outer ring of the cylindrical eyes [and] the rows of teeth […]. The holes on the sides of the headpiece were used to attach a voluminous woven costume that concealed the masker’s body.”
Collecting African Tribal Art 