Exceptional African Kongo Peoples (Democratic Republic of Congo) Finely Carved Ivory Sceptre
An Exceptional African Kongo Peoples (Democratic Republic of Congo) Finely Carved Ivory Sceptre with a Fluted Base and with a later Colonial Silver Mount
Old silky smooth dark patina
18th Century/Early 19th Century
Size: 33.5cm long – 13¼ ins long
Old silky smooth dark patina
18th Century/Early 19th Century
Size: 33.5cm long – 13¼ ins long
The all over pattern carved on this sceptre of intersecting lozenge shapes filled in with smaller geometric variations are found in many forms of Kongo decorative art such as wood carvings and the raffia cloth textiles which the Kuba excelled at producing.
These Kongo works of art from the heart of Africa form one of the most complete, varied and interesting groups of early African artefacts whose arrival in Europe can often be dated. The perfection of the geometric decoration which embellishes these objects demonstrates the sophisticated level of culture which permeated Kongo society at the time when European missionaries, explorers and traders first made contact with it, and which probably existed much earlier.
These Kongo works of art from the heart of Africa form one of the most complete, varied and interesting groups of early African artefacts whose arrival in Europe can often be dated. The perfection of the geometric decoration which embellishes these objects demonstrates the sophisticated level of culture which permeated Kongo society at the time when European missionaries, explorers and traders first made contact with it, and which probably existed much earlier.
Exceptional African Kongo Peoples (Democratic Republic of Congo) Finely Carved Ivory Sceptre
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