Description:

Bali people, Cameroon, West Africa, 19th/20th century. Earthenware with metal. In the Cameroon grasslands, pipes were both status symbols and cult objects. During harvesting, clearing and planting times, pipe smoking was encouraged since smoke was believed to promote fertility. Anthropomorphic bowls were never for the common man, whether of metal or clay. Earthenware examples were made by hand-modeling the material, allowing it to dry in the sun, then further decorating the work with red camwood powder in the final firing. Many of these bowls, especially more elaborate and unwieldy types, were created by men for the western souvenir market. However, the simplicity of design and balance of form of this example places it earlier in the sequence of the pipe industry in the Cameroon grasslands region. 9.25"L.

Provenance: Bernd Ratz, Maulbronn, Germany, since the 1970's.

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

  • Condition: Very fine condition with a few small losses commensurate with age. Showing much use and residue interior and exterior.

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June 13, 2014 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000