|
|
Galerie Ezakwantu |
|
|
African Art Franschhoek South Africa Tribal Art |
Central and Southern African Tribal Art
|
Click a thumbnail to enter a page. Scroll down to view objects in the page. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pipes - Snuff Bottles - Snuff Spoons
|
|
Scroll Down
Scroll Down
Miscellaneous African Objects
|
Benin Carved Plaques
Circa 1920 - 1930 (or earlier)
The Kingdom of Benin had a long history of peaceful relations with European nations. Many early Portuguese, Dutch and British visitors expressed admiration the civilization.
However in 1897, the British launched a "Punitive Expedition" to attack Benin City. They deposed of the Oba of Benin, looted the collection of unique art works in Bronze and ivory that had adorned the palace, then burned it to the ground. Many of the military officers kept private collections of objects, whilst the foreign office auctioned off considerable quantities to offset the cost of the adventure. Many objects found their way to museums in Europe and America. The premier collection of Benin art treasures is today held at the Museum of Mankind in London.
Our plaques fascinate and were carved by the hand of a master. They have an acquired deep patina. If not plaques, they may have been small table tops. The example above measures 35 x 36 cms, or 13.8 x 14.2 inches. The example below measures 29 x 40 cms or 11.4 x 15.7 inches.
We estimate their age to be early 20th century, but may very well prove earlier.
Omada carvers were making prestige objects including plaques, rectangular wood cola nut boxes, stools, tables, chairs, beams and door panels, prior to the 19th century. Animals were symbols of deities or cults. Some represent the power of the Oba (King). The objects from Benin in the Museum of Mankind feature images of fish, snakes, leopards, and crocodiles. They are not only found on plaques, but appear on bracelets and other objects.
*
|
African currency medicinal clyster grass fibre Zulu baskets artefact artifact vintage artefacts vintage Ken Karner artefact Zaire, artifacts fibre baskets
|
Mbole Currency Fabric - DRC - Congo
(Bambole)
These woven panels date to the first portion of the 20th century and are extremely rare in collections. Each has an individual design, said to characterize the original owner.
The Mbole live on the left bank of the Zaire River, in the heart of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The name Mbole, is derived from their position, meaning "the people from downstream".
During the 18th century, the Mbole migrated to this forest region from north of the Lualaba River. Politically each Mbole village is autonomous, headed by a chief chosen from the elders of each family.
The women of the tribe are involved mainly in cultivating manioc and rice while the men hunt.
Lilwa (libwe), a graded men's organization, dominates Mbole life. It supervises ritual, educational, judicial, social, political, and economic functions.
Boys of seven to twelve years old are isolated in the forest for circumcision and initiation, undergoing ritual purification and proving themselves through ordeals and fasting. The head of the lilwa society, known as Isoya, is so important that he is buried in a tree.
*
|
|
|
|
Kuba Medicinal Clyster - Congo
This old clyster has a patina of great use together with stunning form.
This food bowl demonstrates how a clyster is used and underlines how widespread its tribal use.
* |
|
|
|
|
The BEST Shoowa EVER!
Collected by a Catholic Priest in former Zaire
These images go far to explain the manner to which Shoowa fabrics were worn.
Galerie Ezakwantu also has a red example much like those in the images not pictured here.
Click the thumbnail for an enlargement.
* |
Complements of...
Galerie Ezakwantu
World leaders in ascetically pleasing, authentic tribal art from Southern Africa.
Contact Galerie Ezakwantu for larger resolution images and the availability of items.

|
LINKING SITES - Important!
Consider linking your website to ours. Our site will reciprocate in
kind.
Linking websites benefits both parties. Each site receives a higher level of ranking with search engines, particularly Google’s. If your site is not linked by others, it will likely end up buried deep into search result pages and not be seen. Get your web master to include a link page on your site, a point where you may link back those who link you. Ask others for links and so on.
Contact
admin@ezakwantu.com to link with us, so
that we may link with you. |
Visit our Gallery Links
|
Click a thumbnail to enter a page. |

Proudly South African !
Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 www.ezakwantu.com / ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Web Design and Photography - Galerie Ezakwantu