African Arts Gallery

Belgian collection of African tribal art A very unusual miniature pipe carved with a human motif in a kneeling posture. The round head features large pierced eye sockets. Satin-finished orange-brown patina. Height with base: 10 cm.
Originating from the Banda group, the Togbo originally migrated from the Lake Chad region to the Ubangi territories. They lived alongside the Ngbaka and the Ngombe, shared the customs and traditions of different Banda clans, but were especially influenced by the populations of the Central African Republic (CAR). In addition to their ancestors, they fear nature spirits and practice divination in an attempt to improve their destiny. Among their various ritual sculptures, the zukoro statuettes were used in reconciliations after a crime and were placed on ...

Kongo figurative pipe whose bowl is carved with a face with realistic features. Wicker covers the handle. Semi-matte black patina.
The Vili, the Lâri, the Sûndi, the Woyo, the Bembe, the Bwende, the Yombé and the Kôngo constituted the Kôngo group, led by King Ntotela. Their kingdom reached its peak in the 16th century with the trade in ivory, copper and the slave trade. In the 13th century, the Kongo people, led by their king Ne Kongo, settled in a region at the crossroads of the borders between the current DRC, Angola and Gabon. Two centuries later, the Portuguese came into contact with the Kongo and converted their king to Christianity. This king, also called ntotela, controlled the appointment of court and provincial officials.

French collection of African art Exceptional Toma ceremonial pipe whose sculpted motif is reminiscent of the bakrogui mask, or Angbaï, linked to the ancestors. Only members of the Poro were allowed to contemplate the bakrogui mask.
Smooth brown patina, abrasions from use.
The Toma of Guinea, called Loma in Liberia, live in the forest, at high altitude. They are renowned for their landaï board masks intended to animate the initiation rites of the poro association that structures their society, and which represent spirits of the bush. As soon as the landaï mask appeared, the initiates went to the forest to stay there for a month during which they would be taught. At the end of this journey, they will be subjected to a "ritual devouring" followed by a "symbolic rebirth". ...

Aiming in most cases to satisfy the thirst for prestige of their owners, utilitarian objects had to be adapted to the social rank of each. This small ritual pipe has a mouthpiece carved with a head referring to the ancestors of the clan. Tobacco use was widespread among the Chokwe, and smoking was an integral part of offerings to ajimu spirits
Beautiful patina lustrous by use, cracks. Peacefully settled in eastern Angola until the 16th century, the Chokwé were then subjected to the Lunda empire from which they inherited a new hierarchical system and the sacredness of power. br>