African Arts Gallery

French collection of classical African art. A prestigious ceremonial attribute, this ancient fly swatter is sculpted with a head reproducing the group's masks. Glossy oiled patina, long drying crack.
A tribe of the Tabwa group, the Rungu are established in a region between the D.R.C. (Democratic Rep. of Congo), Zambia and Tanzania. Under the influence of neighboring Lubas and Bemba, the Rungu produced prestigious objects intended for dignitaries: stools, combs, spoons and scepters, frequently decorated with figures of couples or twins evoking primordial ancestors. Their king, called mwéné tafuna, lives in Zambia. A women's association, Kamanya, has dolls like those of the Tabwas.

Fetish fly swatter whose handle has been hollowed out at the top. Fine lines, between discreet marks suggesting scarifications, form the face of the subject represented. The section extending the neck is coated with a resin on which necklaces of multicolored pearls fix the horsehair. Shiny patina, desication crack.
A tribe of the Tabwa group, the Rungu are established in a region between the R.D.C. (Democratic Rep. of Congo), Zambia and Tanzania. Under the influence of the neighboring Lubas and Bemba, the Rungu produced prestigious objects intended for dignitaries, stools, combs, spoons and scepters, frequently adorned with figures of couples or twins. Their king, called mwéné tafuna, lives in Zambia. A women's association, Kamanya, has dolls such as those of the Tabwas.