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Oceanic and African Arts — Webb's

Auction House:Webb'sNumber of lots recorded:455
Sale Title:Oceanic and African ArtsLots with images:405
Auction Location:AucklandPrices available:310
Date:17-Jun-2010
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Gun Club Belt Buckle, fashioned from silver the face is finely engraved with floral motifs on border. Two chiefly taiaha adorn the front section which is centred by two finely depicted target rifles. 20th century. width 19.5 cm D6.7 cm.
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Pair of scrimshaw powder horn's by Major Gustavus Ferdinand von Tempsky 1828 - 1868, made from bullock horns. Beautifully engraved in scrimshaw style depicting three female figures in period dress and a group of Maori warriors in haka stance. Tip of horns removable, unsigned. This pair is illustrated in the definitive publication: G. F Von Tempsky - Artist and Adventurer, by rose young, Heather Curnow and Michael King. Note: This publication accompanies this lot. Length 42 cm. Width 9.7 cm.
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A Collection of 35 Glass Plate Negatives by Harold Sylvester Church, including various images of Maori engaged in traditional activities and otherwise. Collection features a composite image with Maori subjects in cartoonish poses flying a Heath Robinson style vehicle. Another of Maori women riding a dragonfly. Maori subject matter also includes: a marae gathering (painted whare depicted), a woman being fitted with roller skates, two women playing golf with makeshift clubs, a dwelling with the name plate…
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Taxidermy kiwi specimen, North Island species. In good condition. Height 25 cm.
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Taxidermy Huia specimen, extremely rare taxidermy example of the now extinct Huia. Some insect damage evident.
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Pair of Kauri Gum Busts, Height 15.6 cm.
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Large Kauri Bust of Wahine, with cloak and offering a fine rendition of orthodox moko. Monuted on period correct turned base. Some restoration apparent. Height 47 cm Width 34 cm.
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Pair of small kauri gum busts. Height 7.8 cm Width 5 cm
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Pair of Kauri Gum Busts, male and femail. With some damage. Height 19 cm
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Two Pitcairn Island chalices, in traditional form. Height 16.5 cm Height 22.3 cm.
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Large Pitcairn Island Chalice, in traditional form stamped on base 'Made by Elwyn Christian. Height 29 cm.
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Pitcairn Island Basket, in traditional form, stamped on base 'Made by Elwyn Christian. Length 17.3 cm Width 14.7 cm D7.3 cm.
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Kauri gum kiwi. Height 4 cm
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Kauri gum bust, male. Height 24 cm.
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Whalebone Tiki Figure, maori whaler's folk art, intricately carved. Height 16 cm Width 4.4 cm.
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Naive art mussel shell, depicting New Zealand landscape. Late 19th - early 20th century. Length 16 cm Width 6 cm.
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Set of 12 vintage records, Maori songs, in mint condition.
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Carved Gourd with Maori Motif, finely carved koru style interlocking. 20th century. Height 22 cm Width 15.5 cm.
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Magnificent Kauri Gum Bust, of a Maori woman and child. The woman offers a fine rendition of orthodox moko and wears a prestigious Korowai clock with double pare thrums. Both child and mother offer open content expressions. Provenance: Commissioned by Max Paykel, c.1900. Note: The male partner to this wonderful commission now resides in the Kauri Museum. Please note this piece may not be exported. Height 51 cm Width 55 cm.
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Extraordinary Marquetry Table By William Cotterell, inspired by the Sam Stuart portrait of Tamati Waka Nene, the famous Ngapuhi chieftain and friendly ally of the British, who undertook to protect the settlers against Heke. Raising a force to punish Heke and his fighting general Kawiti, Waka Nene pursued them until they were compelled to retire. This extraordinarily table captures the strengh of Waka Nene in the landscape of New Zealand. Freshly returned from David Hordern's restoration studios in London…
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The Morton collection of Zane grey material, a collection of approximatley 300 original Kodak negatives (glass and plastic) depicting Cyril Morton's adventures with Zane grey signed first edition's of Zane grey publications including the magnificent 'Tales of the Angler's Eldorado New Zealand ' by Zane grey. Harper & Brothers, New York 1926. Dedications in print include: 'To Cyril Montague Morton, cinematographer extraordinarre, who braved the rough seas, day after day, week after week, always on deck with…
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Bamileke Male Figure, firmly seated on a circular stool, holding a precious egg in left hand, the face orthodox with powerful carved teeth in the open mouth with lower jaw framed with well balanced beard. Strong open forehead extending into triangulated domed cap, carved ring about waist with muscular back and shoulder lines protruding. The importance of the ancestor is masterfully rendered by the asymmetry of the pose and the distortion of neck shoulder line and protruding abdomen. Power is expressed…
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Exquisite Dan mask, serene expression, heavily lidded eyes above a broad nose and delicate mouth reflect the work of a prestigious master carver. Fine smooth, shiny Dan mask, black patina. Of all African masks, those by the Dan people are the most distinguishable and highly sought after, with their minimal but expressively carved features, smooth modulations of facial planes and sleek polished black or dark brown surfaces, the female Dan mask is an idealised form of beauty and grace. Provenance: formerly…
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Classical Luba Kifwebe mask and costume remnants, of abstract orthodox form offering tapering flat frontal plane with a protruding rectangular section of mouth (with bone breather pipe evident from internal perspective) beneath an arching raised medial ridge for the nose, and framed by slit arching eyes on a hemispherical Crown, the whole decorated in formal repeating stone tooled incised parallel lines arching with continuous contours of the mask. Pierced around the entire back (relief carved and some…
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Dan mask, round open eyes and a fine strong nose above falling diamond shaped mouth. Overall fine angular volumes. Variable patina and original trade fibre headdress still in place. Private collection, New York. Height 25 cm. Width 15 cm.
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Fine Dan mask, the face carved in fine angular volumes. Round open eyes and a fine sharp nose above a diamond shaped mouth. Black smooth patina and original vegetable fibre headdress still in place
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Exceptional Dogon mask, heavily abstracted form in Baboon totem. Hollowed dome-like form, the flat jaw supporting a broad mouth beneath a sloping facial plane comprised of three vertical ribs framing the inset pierced eyes, two holes at the cheeks for the insertion of a bite-stick beneath c-shaped ears on the sides; exceptionally fine and encrusted reddish brown patina. Mali. Height 31 cm. Width 13.5 cm D1.8 cm.
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Important Guro mask, of hollowed orthodox triangular form, open mouth beneath the naturalistic nose and crescent shaped eyes, the whole surmounted by dramatically arching horns and central finial; varied surface with white red and black pigment. Aged patina. Height 104 cm. Width 41 cm.
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Bedu mask, a plank-like mask of large proportions with a triangulated face with three pierced square holes in the middle a central column with two ears. Leading to a pair of large circular horns. Encrusted surface with white red and black painting. Some area of loss. Ivory Coast. Length 181 cm. Width 72 cm.
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Chamba Figure, a superbly carved seated figure of a man holding a container with a white chalk pigment inside an all over heavily encrusted patina, traces of various pigments. Hardwood. Cameroon-Nigeria. Provenance: Dr Charles Serman, Paris. Length 31.5 cm Width 9 cm.
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Benalulu Ancestral Figure, finely proportional holding pot of white pigment in left arm. Head finely notched extending into Heighted adornment. Leg of short muscular form. Dark brown patina. Provenance: Christensen Collection. CC40964, Height 15 cm Width 2.8 cm.
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A Luba prestige staff, a triangulated projection with interlocking geometric design rising from the head of a female figure with arms resting on chest, scarification to stomach. Standing a top a handle blackened variated patina. Congo. Length 60.5 cm. Width 6.5 cm.
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Standing Ibeji Figure, standing on a base with a distinct forward-projecting head with broad mouth and classical bulging oval eyes encircled by finely incised lids and wearing elaborate upswept coiffure; fine encrusted deep brown patina with areas of red cam wood powder. Height 30.8 cm
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A large fine Kuba cloth, natural fibre cloth decorated with abstract over sewn formations. Provenance: Ex mark Eglinton, New York. Length 450 cm width 83 cm.
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Four African whisks, with a variety of handles and trade bead decorations. Max length 74 cm.
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Chokwe Mask, mwana pwo, of deeply hollowed triangular form, female face with an open mouth displaying teeth, scarification to checks and chin and forehead. Rich dark, varied reddish-brown patina with residue. Finely carved in classic form. Zambia / Congo / Angola. Provenance: Ex. Private Collection, New York . Length 22 cm Width 14 cm.
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Pair of Ibeji Figures, possibly Ketu or Abeokuta style, a male and a female each standing on a square base, of similar diminutive form, the male wearing a cap-like coiffure, the female with plaited rows, reddish brown patina overall with areas of cam wood powder. Height 25.8 cm.
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Pair of Ibeji Figures, each standing on a circular base, with hands held to the hips with a distinct forward-projecting head. Broad mouth and classical bulging oval eyes encircled by finely incised lids, and wearing elaborate upswept coiffures; fine encrusted deep brown patina with areas of red cam wood powder, and indigo on the coiffures. Private collection, New York. Length 26 cm Width 8 cm.
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Fine Chiefly Kamba Staff, a superb and rare example of a chieftains prestige staff. Circular head leading to a turned shaft made form hardwood, overlaid with abstract human and animal forms made from beaten brass; formed Iron lance to end. Kenya. 19th century. Length 125 cm.
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Colonial Figure With Gun, political folk art depiction of land protector with gun. Height 21 cm Width 5.5 cm.
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Tumbuan Mask, finely constructed with bird Totem. Provenance: Frank Boltaro, Melborne, Height 59 cm Width 95 cm.
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Fine Shona Axe, a long straight shaft with bulbous top holding an angled metal blade with incised chevron and dot motifs with a pierced hole in back of blade. Southern Africa. Provenance: Ex. Sotheby's Australia, Length 60 cm.
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Fine Ancestral Figure, fine wooden ancestral figure of delicate proportions expressing strength and beauty. Heavily defined calf muscles and thighs extend into back proportions which meet and create central muscle line leading up to broad articulate shoulders. An elongated neck signaling status and beauty support a finely carved face with a strong gaze in orthodox form ' broadly set almond shaped eyes, well defined mouth framed by subtle jaw line. Nose extending into graceful brow. Ceremonial headdress…
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Kwere Stick - Medicine Stick, finely carved male figure protruding from a horn wrapped in leather which contains magical substances, of wood, metal, beads, horn, fur and fetish material. Kwere Tanzania. Provenance: Ex. James Stevenson collection, New York. Height 58.9 cm.
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Superb Dan Mask, abstracted angular form expressing strength. Mouth extended open with singular tusk remaining. Forehead arching forward with centre ridge. Leather detailing on both middle quarter of face and lower jaw. Woven cane attached to top of brow. Fibre attached to top lip. Aged patina. Provenance: Christensen Collection. CC40890. Height 22 cm12.5 cm.
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Tikar Figure, a wooden figure with stylised elongated face, large c-shaped ears, fine naturalistic nose and pin eyes, extending to a long body with scarification to torso arms resting gently to stomach, long slightly bent legs standing on ovoid base. Provenance: Ex. James Stevenson collection, New York. Length 57 cm Width 6.5 cm.
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A Massai Papua New Guinea Shield, a traditional ovoid shaped hide shield with wooden pole to back, red and white pigment painted. Kenya. Height 110 cm Width 49 cm.
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A Massai Papua New Guinea Shield, an early example of its type with more recent polychromed finish in guerrilla type camouflage colours. Traditional paint composition, wood, hide. Height 100 cm Width 65 cm.
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A Fine Ethiopian Hide Shield, of circular form, ridged hide punctured four times in centre for attachment of leather loop handle to the reverse face with raised central ridge flanked by moulded radiating ribs and bosses. Arussi southern central Ethiopia. Provenance: Ex. Sotheby's Australia. Late 19th century. width 70 cm .
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An fine Congolese woven shield, a tightly woven shield using a type of basketry weaving technique and tied to a wooden frame with an attached wooden handle at back. A dyed painted design to front. Democratic Republic of the Congo, north Western (Ubangi) region, Ngombe (Bakoi, Makoyi). Length 132 cm. Width 44 cm.
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Yaure Mask, the masks of the Yaure represent human faces often supplemented by animal attributes. In classic form with elongated face with a protruding mouth and pierced semi-circular eyes set under a high forehead extensively carved with geometrical motifs. Highly refined nose follows ridge centre line. Horn's follow the falling line of the mask (some damage). Decoration suspension holes in attentive ear stance and relief collar at back while the outline of the mask is characteristically surrounded by a…
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Baule Mask, aggressively carved Baboon Totem mask. Dry steel tooled patina. Length 33 cm Width 20 cm.
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Teke Helmet Mask, elongated face accentuates bulbous eye cavities and defined hair line. Red and white pigment evident throughout very old patina. Height 58 cm Width 24 cm.
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A Batak Wooden Architectural Element, a side beam (pandingdingan). The head of a singa on the front extending into the monsters body in the form of a snake (naga). Northern Sumatra. Length 72 cm Width 25 cm D30 cm.
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A fine Dayak baby carrier, carved from a single piece of wood and covered in deep carving with a central male figure with shell inlaid eyes, flanked by two mythical dragons. Dark black patina. Length 39.5 cm width 39 cm.
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