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THBLate 19th C. Yombe Wood Bust w/ Glass Inlay Eyes
Lot 43
About Seller
Artemis Fine Arts
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$4,000 - $8,000
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Fine Arts
Aug 22, 2025
Set Reminder
2025-08-22 10:00:00
2025-08-22 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Indigenous Art - Ralph T. Coe Center, Santa Fe, NM
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/indigenous-art---ralph-t-coe-center-santa-fe-nm-20324
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
View Full Catalog (452)
- Lot Description
Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Yombe, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. An exceptional bust from the Yombe people of the Lower Congo, carved in wood with inset glass eyes of remarkable presence. Likely conceived as a modello rather than cut from a larger figure, this work displays the finesse of a master carver, evident in the precise striations left by the knife and the exquisite detailing of the coiffure, facial features, and inlays. The eyes, with their luminous glass settings, are characteristic of the finest Yombe figural art, imparting an intense and lifelike gaze. At the back of the neck is an indented hole bearing thread marks, possibly a mounting point, which over time may have contributed to the split running upward into the headdress. The aged patina on the base suggests the head was created as a complete, stand-alone sculpture rather than a fragment. Despite its compact scale, the bust radiates authority, refinement, and ceremonial importance. Size: 2.8" L x 2.5" W x 4.9" H (7.1 cm x 6.4 cm x 12.4 cm)
Such pieces were associated with ancestor veneration, representing a revered progenitor or the founder of a lineage. In Yombe thought, the physical form of the ancestor could serve as a conduit for spiritual communication, ensuring protection, fertility, and social harmony. This example's intense expression, smooth worn surface, and commanding presence embody both the artistry and the cultural significance of Yombe sculpture at the highest level. Even the natural crack at the back, earned over more than a century, underscores the authenticity and life history of this remarkable work.
Exhibited: "Eye Opener," 2018. Hands-On Curatorial Program exhibition, Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, July 2015 - April 2016; "Connoisseurship and Good Pie: Ted Coe and Collecting Native Art," Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.
Provenance: Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, acquired via descent in 2010; ex-private Ralph T. Coe collection, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, acquired in 1961 as a wedding gift; ex-Nasli Heeramaneck, New York, New York, USA
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#196055Possibly from a larger figure, but could also be a modello. Large fissure with splitting to verso and smaller fissure to chest. Chipping near bottom and some nicks and abrasions in areas. Minor chipping and some cloudiness to glass inlays. Otherwise, nice remaining detail and rich patina.Condition
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