Artistically engraved calabash, around 1930 ·  Madya, Benoit, Kitombe, D. R. Congo · ID: 3046259

Description

pumpkin, kaolin, fire blackening, engraved “Madia Kitombe” and inscribed “Dilu”

The engravings of the calabash show two drummers and six figures in splendid robes with foliage inbetween.

Gourds of this type are decorated with motives based on Kongo proverbs, folk-tales and fables. The tradition of engraving calabashes is ancient but these narrative, realistic icons are geared at an expatriate public.

The object Artistically engraved calabash, around 1930 with the object ID 3046259 was part of the auction 93rd Tribal Art Auction on November 16, 2019. The object with the lot number 240 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,800 with an asking price of EUR 1,200.

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Comparing literature

Felix, Marc L. (ed.), Kongo Kingdom Art, China 2003, p. 311