Rare figure de reliquaire, Kota, Gabon ou République du Congo

collects ée par A.C. (né en 1877), missionnaire suédois actif dans la région de Brazzaville entre 1904 et 1916
Transmise par descendance familiale

Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. A few cracks and breaks to the metal plates, as visible on the catalogue illustration, including two short cracks on the right-hand side of the face. Otherwise very good condition overall. No breaks to the wooden section of the figure. Very fine encrusted patina to the rear.
"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 stat.mes nt made by Replica Shoes 's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

mbulu ngulu, remarquable dans l'abstraction du visage stylisé en losange - la nervure médiane plaquée d'une bande de laiton soulignant la courbure de la face, les yeux hémisphériques ponctués de têtes de clous. Très beau contraste entre la rigueur du visage projeté en haut relief et la rondeur de la coiffe : cimier en croissant transverse enveloppant la courbe des coiffes latérales s'achevant en virgule. Belle patine sombre, profonde, du bois.  

L'histoire de cette rare figure de reliquaire se rattache à celle des missions évangélistes suédoises, qui s'implantèrent au Congo dès la fin du XIX^e siècle. A l'instar de ses compatriotes, ce missionnaire fit don de la très grande majorité des œuvres qu'il collects a sur le terrain au musée ethnographique de Stockholm, où elles sont aujourd'hui conservées.

C'est notamment grâce aux collects es des missionnaires évangéliques suédois et aux publications du pasteur Efraim Andersson (1974) que furent révélées et identifiées les grandes figures de reliquaire provenant de la région de Zanaga et de Zibiti, élargissant au Congo le champ d'attribution de la statuaire Kota. Ici, le dessin du cimier et des coiffes latérales apparentent la figure à la tradition Kota des Obamba du nord, dont le style se serait étendu vers les régions orientales, à proximité de Brazzaville. cf. Rubin (Primitivisme, MoMA, 1984 : vol.I : 266) pour l'une des seules figures de reliquaire véritablement comparable, acquise par le musée ethnographique du Trocadéro en 1884, aujourd'hui conservée au musée du quai Branly et présentée dans cette exposition au regard d'œuvres de Picasso.

A rare Kota reliquary figure, Gabon or Republic of the Congo

Mbulu ngulu, remarkable for the abstraction of the lozenge shaped face, the central ridge covered with a brass band which emphasises the curve of the face, the hemispherical eyes set with nail heads. Very fine contrast between the rigour of the face, which projects forwards in high relief, and the round form of the head-dress, the crescent shape enveloping the curves of the comma-like buns at the side of the head. The wood has a fine dark patina.

The history of this rare reliquary figure is closely related to that of Swedish evangelical missionaries, who established themselves in the Congo at the end of the 19th century. Following the example of many of his compatriots, the missionary who collects ed this figure gave the large majority of works he had acquired in the region to the Ethnographic Museum in Stockholm, where they remain to this day.

It is particularly thanks to the collects ions of Swedish evangelical missionaries and to the publications of Pastor Efraim Andersson (1974) that the great reliquary figures from the area of Zanaga and Zibiti in the Congo have come to light, extending the area to which Kota statuary can be attributed. Here the design of the head-dress and the side bunds connect the figures to the Obamba style of the north, which would have extended towards eastern areas near Brazzaville. cf. Rubin (Primitivism, MoMA, 1984: vol. I, 266) for one of the only truly comparable reliquary figures, acquired by the Trocadero ethnographic museum in 1884(now in the musée du quai Branly), and exhibited alongside works by Picasso during the Primitivism exhibition.