Pretty Mangbetu Oliphant D.R of Congo/south Soudan.

Length 151 cm, XIXth good state, small cracks, a shatter of the surface.  

“The form is elegant and the height impressive. Multiple pointed circle patterns harmoniously decorate the polished surface enriched by time.”

These oliphants, used alone or in association with drums, formerly served during celebrations and festivities. It seems that this type of object was at its origin devoid, like here, of any figurative representation (it’s mostly at the end of the XIXth century that the Mangbetus would start making more decorative works, in particular to please a Western clientele, but they continued used them for themselves as well.)

This copy, with a very refined style, is an antique beauty.

Ivory (Loxodonta Africana) with used cream coloured patina.

 Origin : Old Angelo Caggiula Carlucci collection, prosecutor of the king of Belgium, posted in Congo until 1914. »

Text, expert Christine Valluet.